the essay must answer this question: 1. Must utilitarianism deny that there is a

the essay must answer this question: 1. Must utilitarianism deny that there is a distinction between full-blown (non-optional) moral duties and merely supererogatory (preferable but not required) actions? If so, why? If not, why not? If you answered ‘yes’, explain whether or not this is a problem for the theory. The paper must meet the following conditions: 1. Paper organization: a. Present a clear thesis statement, which describes the particular claim that you will defend in the paper and the reasons that you will use to do so. b. Explain the basic philosophical question for which your thesis is an answer. c. Summarize the views or arguments under consideration in the paper. d. If you are developing your own answer to the question and comparing it with other, competing views, you need to explain the competing views and show why your view is stronger, more plausible, etc. e. When raising a problem with or objection to a view (including your own), you should explain the problem/objection, summarize why it is a problem/objection, and either show why it stands or defend the view against the objection. (See #5 in this list) f. Integrate the other academic sources (#2 in this list) in the applicable way. So, if, for example, you want to use an objection raised in one of your outside academic sources, then you would explain only this part of the argument presented in the academic source. You would not, in this case, need to discuss the entire article. 2. Read at least ONE reputable, academic sources on the topic (e.g., a recent journal article on the topic in an academic journal, relevant readings from our anthologies that were not assigned for this course, among other possibilities) and include them in your paper. These sources should NOT be assigned course readings. a. You should use these sources in one or more of the following ways: i. To develop interpretations or explanations of view under consideration. ii. To develop your own thesis. iii. To raise objections to your thesis. iv. To defend your thesis against an objection. a. Go to the library databases, such as PhilPapers, Philosopher’s Index or WorldCat, to search for possible academic sources. You can access these from the ‘Databases’ tab on the library website. b. You may also use the database called “PhilPapers,” which can be accessed at: http://philpapers.org/ c. If you are unsure about whether your source is a reputable academic source, please consult with me. (Note: Wikipedia and other similar internet sources ARE NOT reputable academic resources). 3. Use the relevant assigned course readings in the paper. 4. Raise and answer at least one objection to your thesis. 5. Don’t forget to meet the General Requirements for Written Assignments (