Ethics, Morality, and Values
MORAL DILEMMAS
Follow the link here and decide what you would/should do in each moral dilemma. How are you deciding what is right and what is wrong? Is there a difference between what you think you should do and what you would do? Why or why not? Which dilemma posed the most difficult decision? The least difficult decision? Are there any moral dilemmas that you have encountered in your life? How did you decide what to do? Discuss with the people around you and reflect on these questions for homework.
IS THERE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ETHICS AND MORALITY? IF SO, WHAT IS IT?
Use the video and link below to understand what some people believe to be the difference between ethics and morality. Once you are clear on the distinction, create a one to two minute situational role play/skit/play that highlights your understanding. Get creative with your situations! You will present this to the class and everyone in your group must perform in the roleplay. You have 45 minutes to prepare (15 to look at the sources and solidify your understanding and 30 to come up with and practice your roleplay).
The Family: What is a family?
In this lesson we will start by considering the "average" family in Hong Kong. This has changed rapidly over the last 40 years. This speed of change is mirrored by many countries. We will then look more globally at what a family means to different cultures, and perhaps how that might change over time.
Click for the graph supplied by the Hong Kong government.
Useful links
Facts about Hong Kong's population (source- The HK government)
Wall St. Journal article of raising children in HK
A young persons opinion on the falling birthrate of HK
One child families in HK
The average American family
Gender roles and the family
Modern parenting
Article on family structure around the world
WorldFamilyMap.org - Articles from International Reports on child trends
Task
You are to create a display showing one of the following;
-Comparing average families across a continent or between continents
-Comparing birthrates across a continent or between continents
-Comparing marriage and divorce rates around the world
-Comparing birthrate AND marriage across a continent or around the world
Requirements;
-AT LEAST 5 credible sources of information. These should be carefully included in a bibliography and cited when appropriate.
Marking;
-Up to Level 3 – This will just show basic data through graphs/charts/diagrams etc
-Up to Level 5 – This will have Level 3, as well as some analysis/explanation of the data found
-Level 8 – As previous, with evaluation/synthesis of data to form a conclusion.
Click for the graph supplied by the Hong Kong government.
Useful links
Facts about Hong Kong's population (source- The HK government)
Wall St. Journal article of raising children in HK
A young persons opinion on the falling birthrate of HK
One child families in HK
The average American family
Gender roles and the family
Modern parenting
Article on family structure around the world
WorldFamilyMap.org - Articles from International Reports on child trends
Task
You are to create a display showing one of the following;
-Comparing average families across a continent or between continents
-Comparing birthrates across a continent or between continents
-Comparing marriage and divorce rates around the world
-Comparing birthrate AND marriage across a continent or around the world
Requirements;
-AT LEAST 5 credible sources of information. These should be carefully included in a bibliography and cited when appropriate.
Marking;
-Up to Level 3 – This will just show basic data through graphs/charts/diagrams etc
-Up to Level 5 – This will have Level 3, as well as some analysis/explanation of the data found
-Level 8 – As previous, with evaluation/synthesis of data to form a conclusion.
Marriage: Why do people get married?
Why do YOU want to get married? Why don't YOU want to get married? What factors are important to you? How do you compare to your classmates? Answer the survey questions below.
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Read the article linked here. What is it saying about the differences between men and women on their decision to get married. Which gender do you think has a better justification for getting married?
What is Marriage?Try to define what marriage is. Is it a religious union or is it a legal contract? Same sex marriage is a topic that is currently under intense debate in the United States of America. Read the article linked here. What key points does the article make concerning marriage equality? Who do you think should be in charge of deciding who should and should not be able to marry?
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Same Sex Marriage Debate Assignment
In groups of two, research the major arguments for and against same sex marriage. (15 minutes)
When done, compare your list with the list of another group. (5 minutes)
Refer any questions you have about the debate to the teacher. Class discussion. (5 minutes)
In this group of four, prepare for a debate/discussion on the issue. (20 minutes)
Debate. (15 minutes)
Grade the other group based on Criterion C and Criterion D, giving comments and feedback. Use the rubrics provided. (10 minutes)
Homework:
When done, compare your list with the list of another group. (5 minutes)
Refer any questions you have about the debate to the teacher. Class discussion. (5 minutes)
In this group of four, prepare for a debate/discussion on the issue. (20 minutes)
- Two of you will be for same sex marriage, the other two against.
- Choose the three most effective arguments on your side of the issue.
- Follow the following format to make your arguments: 1. Point/Argument 2. Explanation of the argument 3. Example that highlights your argument.
Debate. (15 minutes)
Grade the other group based on Criterion C and Criterion D, giving comments and feedback. Use the rubrics provided. (10 minutes)
Homework:
- Reflect on the debate. What is your position on same sex marriage. Find out about same sex marriage in Hong Kong. Consider two or more of the following questions:
- -Do you believe in marriage?
- -Is a society that strongly promotes marriage healthier than one that doesn't?
- -Does marriage discourage people from cheating on each other?
- -Is marriage purely for religious reasons?
- -Is marriage just a piece of paper? A legal promise?
- -Do people get married because of tradition only- do societies do it because they always have?
- -Is marriage viewed in a universal way- do all cultures look at it the same? Does this make it more or less important?
- -Is an arranged marriage necessarily a bad idea?
- -Is marriage a human right? Should anyone be denied it? Why?
Response to Alex Lo OR International Christian school
Research the status of same sex marriage and gay rights in Hong Kong. What rights do Hong Kong gay people have? What rights don't they have? What organizations have been set up to advocate for gay rights?
Choose one of the following tasks:
TASK A: Read Alex Lo's article HERE.
Write a response to his argument that Hong Kong is not ready for same sex rights
TASK B: Read the SCMP article HERE on International Christian School.
Write a letter to the school's board of education responding to their policies.
Whichever task you choose, you should look to write at least TWO well written paragraphs advocating your views on the topic. It will be graded on your ability to make and argument (Criterion D) and your knowledge of the topic (Criterion A).
Choose one of the following tasks:
TASK A: Read Alex Lo's article HERE.
Write a response to his argument that Hong Kong is not ready for same sex rights
TASK B: Read the SCMP article HERE on International Christian School.
Write a letter to the school's board of education responding to their policies.
Whichever task you choose, you should look to write at least TWO well written paragraphs advocating your views on the topic. It will be graded on your ability to make and argument (Criterion D) and your knowledge of the topic (Criterion A).
Morality Versus Ethics
- Do some research and find out the difference between Morality and Ethics. Morals and Ethics are often used as synonyms. Though they both ave to do with what is right and what is wrong, they do have different meanings/focuses.
- After you have clearly defined each of the terms, make a list of five things that some people would consider immoral and five things that are unethical.
- Is there always a clear line between what is unethical and what is immoral?
- How do you decide what is right and wrong? do you rely more on ethical arguments or moral ones? Why?
The Abortion Debate: Are We Playing God?
This lesson will consider the arguments surrounding the abortion debate. Is this a question of societal ethics? Or a persons morals?
Arguments For/Against Abortion
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Complete the following sentences:
I thought _____________ should most consider an abortion because __________
I thought _____________ should least consider an abortion because __________
You need to give at least 2 reasons for each
I thought _____________ should most consider an abortion because __________
I thought _____________ should least consider an abortion because __________
You need to give at least 2 reasons for each
Case Study
![](http://www.weebly.com/weebly/images/file_icons/pdf.png)
should_fiona_have_an_abortion.pdf | |
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Standard Task
-Highlight in Green items you feel make abortion acceptable in this case.
-Highlight in Red arguments that do not matter or are anti-abortion
-Answer the question - "Should Fiona have an abortion?"
-Highlight in Green items you feel make abortion acceptable in this case.
-Highlight in Red arguments that do not matter or are anti-abortion
-Answer the question - "Should Fiona have an abortion?"
Challenge Task
-As standard task, but in your answer to the question also to to explain whether you think your opinion is from a moral or ethical standpoint.
-As standard task, but in your answer to the question also to to explain whether you think your opinion is from a moral or ethical standpoint.
Interesting Links on abortion
BBC
Abortion in HK
Kenyan Nurse gets death penalty for abortion
Forced abortion in China
Spanish Government backs tougher abortion laws
Paraguayan girl denied abortion
Abortion in HK
Kenyan Nurse gets death penalty for abortion
Forced abortion in China
Spanish Government backs tougher abortion laws
Paraguayan girl denied abortion
Ethics of Genetic Research
Whether your personal morality agrees with it or not, genetic research has changed the world.
While groups rage against the supposed evils of GM foods, they perhaps forget that crops have been modified for centuries - how do you think we got modern farmable wheat, grains and pretty much all vegetables?!
However, the question of whether this research should progress to include animals and humans raises potentially more difficulties.
On the one hand, gene therapy could help humans escape horrific genetic abnormalities and disease. It could effectively break the cycle of evolution and allow humanity to decide how it wanted to evolve.
However, this is fraught with ethical issues- should this be allowed to happen? Not every human would have access- is this leading to a society of have's and have-nots decided before a child is even born? The majority of religions see this as humans trying to play God.
Is this a moral issue? In which case, nations across the world will be of widely varying opinion on the matter. Should it be considered ethical instead? In which case many groups have a vested interest in the topic- how can so many points of view ever be satisfied?
Dolly the Sheep
Chinese genetic manipulation
Religious views on cloning
While groups rage against the supposed evils of GM foods, they perhaps forget that crops have been modified for centuries - how do you think we got modern farmable wheat, grains and pretty much all vegetables?!
However, the question of whether this research should progress to include animals and humans raises potentially more difficulties.
On the one hand, gene therapy could help humans escape horrific genetic abnormalities and disease. It could effectively break the cycle of evolution and allow humanity to decide how it wanted to evolve.
However, this is fraught with ethical issues- should this be allowed to happen? Not every human would have access- is this leading to a society of have's and have-nots decided before a child is even born? The majority of religions see this as humans trying to play God.
Is this a moral issue? In which case, nations across the world will be of widely varying opinion on the matter. Should it be considered ethical instead? In which case many groups have a vested interest in the topic- how can so many points of view ever be satisfied?
Dolly the Sheep
Chinese genetic manipulation
Religious views on cloning
Assignment
Choose one of the following controversies: the death penalty, GMOs, righteous torture, euthanasia.
Research the argument for/against the practice. List them, along with examples that help highlight/support the arguments, in a detailed T chart.
Analyze each argument and decide which arguments are more based on ethics (label with an dE) or more based on morals( label with an M)
Debate the issue in your groups and report back to the class.
Research the argument for/against the practice. List them, along with examples that help highlight/support the arguments, in a detailed T chart.
Analyze each argument and decide which arguments are more based on ethics (label with an dE) or more based on morals( label with an M)
Debate the issue in your groups and report back to the class.
Moral Dilemmas: What is the right thing to do?
Open the file below using Pages. Work with a partner to look over the moral dilemmas and discuss what you would do in each situation. Be able to explain your answers.
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Altruism: do people do things that benefit others? If so, Why?
Key terms:
Altruism: disinterested and selfless concern for the well-being of others.
Empathy: the ability to understand and share the feelings of another.
Self Interest Theory: The idea that humans only do what is their self interest.
Altruism: disinterested and selfless concern for the well-being of others.
Empathy: the ability to understand and share the feelings of another.
Self Interest Theory: The idea that humans only do what is their self interest.
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Assignment: Use all of the information above and think of two or three times you could have helped someone in various situations. Did you? Use the ideas in this section to explain the thought process step by step of why you did this. Can you relate the theories to help explain your behavior?
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