Writing as a UTILITARIAN, choose one of the below four prompts and write an argument for or against the issue, just as you did in your first essay. Just use standard format and make sure I can open the document. (I often can’t open a doc.x, for whatever reason.) REMEMBER TO USE THE GUIDE “How to Test Utilitarian Principles” added as a handout on your previous assignment.
The Pledge of Allegiance was first written in 1892. It originally read: “I Pledge Allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands; one nation indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” The Pledge became part of the US Flag Code in 1942, and in 1954 President Eisenhower and Congress added the phrase “under God” into the Pledge.
Proponents (THOSE IN FAVOR) of including “under God” in the Pledge argue that the US is a Christian nation, at least 80% of Americans support the phrase, the language reflects America’s civic culture and is not a religious statement, and federal law, state constitutions, currency, and the presidential oath already contain references to God.
Opponents (THOSE OPPOSED) contend that church and state should be kept strictly separate as the Founding Fathers intended. They argue that the Constitution protects minority rights against majority will, and that the words “under God” in the Pledge constitute a religious phrase and thus violate the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment (FREEDOM OF RELIGION, SPEECH, ETC.).
President Trump has refused to concede the election, and, instead, has mounted legal cases in several states. 25 of which have been dismissed out of hand as lacking any evidence of voter fraud. Some are asking for a complete disenfranchisement of thousands of votes without evidentiary standing, mostly in Black communities in Georgia, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania. Instead of conceding he is asking for donations from his constituents, most likely to amass money for his legal expenses. He plans, in three weeks, to announce his intention to run in 2024 (which is actually a form of concession, which many feel will then disenfranchise those Republicans who are considering their own run for president in 2024). Is this ploy utilitarian (there are actually two factors at work here)? Is it moral? How is it utilitarian or moral for the rest of the United States? Why or why not? You may have to do some reading to inform yourself and keep up to date!
Should prostitution be legalized? (This does not include child sex trafficking).
Should abortion remain legal? Many states have made it far more difficult for women to obtain abortions, and have effectively shut down numerous abortion clinics and Planned Parenthood clinics (women [and men] can visit these clinics for their cancer screening and breast exam needs at these Planned Parenthood clinics). About 3% of Plannfkted Parenthood’s procedures are abortions.
