write two pages long about what money can not buy, you
will need to explain exactly why you agree or why you disagree with the
author’s argument. there
are two arguments. One concerns the buying and selling in a situation of
economic desperation.
How to
write the paper in 5 steps:
Step 1.
First,
make sure you understand what the author, Michael Sandel, argues exactly in the
article “What Money Can’t Buy.”
Step 2.
Decide if
you agree or disagree with the argument.
Because
the paper is supposed to be short, focus only on the “corruption argument.” But what is the “corruption argument”? First remember that the author uses the word
“corruption” in the sense of “making less valuable,” “devaluing the intrinsic
value,” “taking away the true meaning of something”, or “reducing the true
worth of something.”
Thus, the
notion of corruption in this article does NOT refer to bribery.
The essence
of the corruption argument is that selling certain goods and services can be
morally troubling even if no one is harmed physically in this transaction, even
if no one is forced or coerced by desperate financial situations, even if this
transaction is voluntary, meaning even if someone fully agrees buy or sell the
thing.
Example:
Let’s say
company A rents bicycles, company B rents cars, and company C rents friends
(yes friends, meaning you can go to company C and rent a friend!).
Now, why
is renting a friend wrong and renting a bike or a car not wrong?
According
to the corruption argument, by renting a friend, we devalue (we corrupt) the
true value (the true meaning) of friendship.
But when we rent a bike, it’s different.
We do not devalue the true meaning of riding a bike. It’s just a bicycle. The bike does not have a “true value.”
Recall
Immanuel Kant’s claim: “Everything has either a price or a dignity.
Whatever has a price can be replaced by something else as its equivalent; whatever
is above all price has a dignity.”
Step 3.
Ask
yourself how someone can disagree with you. For example, if you agree that
selling some goods and services in the market for money is wrong, then what
would you say to someone who claims that nothing has a “true intrinsic value,”
and that it’s impossible to do something wrong when no harm is being done and
the exchange is voluntary.
Step 4.
Remember
to develop the counterargument. The objection should be longer than one
sentence.
Step 5.
Finally, respond
to the objection in the counterargument.
Before you
turn in your paper:
–
Read aloud what you wrote. Take out the repetitive
sentences. There is no need to repeat a point. Take out sentences that do not
directly contribute to your argument.
DO NOT
write a sequence of questions. If you
pose a question in your paper, then you must answer that question! Do not say
anything ambiguous, mysterious, or unclear.
Remember, your goal is to get your point across in a clear and rational
way. Be straightforward, not mysterious.
This is an
argument paper. You have to argue your
point and demonstrate your thinking skills (critical, logical, clear). Most importantly, you have to write by
yourself; everything you write has to come directly from your brain.
In this
paper assignment an introduction and a conclusion are not necessary. You do NOT
have to reiterate your point. If you
include an introduction and a conclusion in your paper, you will have to write
a bit longer paper. Introduction and conclusion will not count toward the
required length.
Should you
quote the author or summarize the reading?
No. Quotes and summaries will not count towards
the 500-word requirement.
Also, I will not lower your grade for
typos, misspellings or grammar mistakes.
Finally, remember
to include the counterargument. Without the counterargument, your paper will be
poorly defended. As a result, you can’t
get a high grade for the paper.
Focus on exploring
only one specific point; concentrate on defending only one specific idea, not
many ideas. Focus on one claim, one distinct idea. Do not write a list of reasons for which you
agree/disagree with the author.
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