Module 7 - Modern Ethical Theories - Activity 5

Activity 1 : : Activity 2 : : Activity 3 : : Activity 4 : : Activity 5

Activity 5: Taskstream

Now that you have completed Module 7 you are ready to work on Task 2 (110.1.5-10 and 11) of the THA4 assessment in Taskstream. Go to www.taskstream.com to get started.

Before you begin writing Task 2, be certain to do the following:

• Read the instructions for the task and view the grading rubric in Taskstream. By viewing the rubric ahead of time, you will know what the graders are looking for.
• Create an outline of how you will approach the task. (The task is asking for a 2-3 page essay. You will need to include information and ideas that help you fulfill the rubric requirements, but you will want to avoid including unnecessary information.)
• Gather appropriate notes from the readings and any other resources that you plan to use.

Before you submit Task 2 for review, check to make sure you have completed the following (for more detail, please view the Taskstream grading rubric):

• Have you identified and described both ethical egoism and psychological egoism?
• Have you explained the major fallacy of psychological egoism? (See the Task Clarifications below).
• Have you discussed the "strong" and "weak" versions of ethical egoism? (See the Task Clarifications below)
• Have you discussed the differences between ethical egoism and psychological egoism?
• Have you contrasted the doctrines of motivation for these theories?
• Have you provided a brief concluding discussion on the differences between selfishness and self-interest? 
• Have you provided a title page?
• Have you made appropriate and accurate in-text citations that follow the APA style?
• Have you provided a list of references in APA style?
• Does your essay employ a formal writing tone? Is easy to read and follow? Does it use correct grammar?

• In addition to the assigned readings, you will find helpful information in Chapter 16 of A Companion to Ethics (available in the WGU e-reserves) as well as in the web links found in Activity 4 of this module.
• Item B of the task instructions asks you to “identify and explain the fallacy of Psychological Egoism.” In other words, what is the common criticism of psychological egoism? Why does it not hold up to scrutiny?    
• Item C of the instructions asks you to discuss the “strong and weak versions” of ethical egoism. Pay careful attention to the explanatory note for Item C (“This item is NOT asking for the strengths and weakness of the theory. It is asking for information about the STRONG version of Ethical Egoism and the WEAK version of [Ethical] Egoism.”).
• Item E asks you to “contrast the doctrines of motivation for each theory.” In other words, you are asked to distinguish between the ways that psychological egoism and ethical egoism explain the motivation behind self-interested human behavior. How does psychological egoism explain our motivation? How does ethical egoism explain our motivation?