Right and Wrong
Introducing ethical dilemmas and the different ways people decide what is the right thing to do.
TL;DR:Ethics is the study of how we should live and how we treat others. This topic introduces 1st Year students to the idea that 'right' and 'wrong' are not just feelings, but can be explored through different logical frameworks. This aligns with the NCCA Junior Cycle Philosophy specifications, focusing on identifying ethical issues in everyday life and articulating moral dilemmas.
About This Topic
Ethics is the study of how we should live and how we treat others. This topic introduces 1st Year students to the idea that 'right' and 'wrong' are not just feelings, but can be explored through different logical frameworks. This aligns with the NCCA Junior Cycle Philosophy specifications, focusing on identifying ethical issues in everyday life and articulating moral dilemmas.
Students explore different ways of making moral decisions: looking at the consequences (Utilitarianism), following universal rules (Deontology), or focusing on character (Virtue Ethics). They apply these to real-world scenarios, such as whether it is ever okay to tell a 'white lie.' This helps them develop the key skill of 'Working with Others' by fostering empathy and an appreciation for different moral perspectives.
Ethical theories can feel dry if taught as definitions, but they become vibrant when students must use them to solve 'impossible' dilemmas in a collaborative setting, forcing them to justify their choices to their peers.
Key Questions
- How do we decide what is good?
- Are some actions always wrong?
- Does the outcome justify the action?
Watch Out for These Misconceptions
Common MisconceptionEthics is just about following the law.
What to Teach Instead
Students often think if something is legal, it's right. Active discussion of historical examples (like laws during the Great Famine or the Civil Rights movement) helps them see that ethics is a higher standard we use to judge whether laws themselves are fair.
Common MisconceptionRight and wrong is just a matter of personal opinion.
What to Teach Instead
This is 'moral subjectivism.' By using structured debates, students realize that we expect people to have *reasons* for their moral choices, and that some reasons are more consistent and fair than others, moving beyond 'just a feeling.'
Active Learning Ideas
See all activities→Formal Debate
The Lifeboat Dilemma
Students are given a scenario where a lifeboat is overcrowded. They are assigned different ethical roles (e.g., 'The Utilitarian' who wants to save the most people, or 'The Deontologist' who believes in strict fairness) and must reach a consensus on what to do.
Think-Pair-Share
The White Lie
Students write down a situation where they told a lie to be kind. In pairs, they discuss: 'Was it still wrong?' and 'What would happen if everyone lied for kindness?' They then share their conclusions on whether rules should ever be broken.
Gallery Walk
Moral Frameworks in Action
Place three posters around the room: 'Results Matter Most,' 'Rules Matter Most,' and 'Character Matters Most.' Students move in groups to read a dilemma and write how a person following that specific framework would react.