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Page 1: What Would You Do??
Page 2: What Would You Do??

You are driving a minivan with 5 other men You are driving a minivan with 5 other men in it. The men are complete strangers to in it. The men are complete strangers to you. You turn around a sharp curve and you. You turn around a sharp curve and find yourself on a narrow bridge over a find yourself on a narrow bridge over a gaping chasm. A woman with her back gaping chasm. A woman with her back toward you is pushing a stroller with a toward you is pushing a stroller with a baby in it. She cannot get out of the way baby in it. She cannot get out of the way and you cannot stop in time to save her. and you cannot stop in time to save her. You can swerve off the bridge, killing You can swerve off the bridge, killing everyone in the minivan. everyone in the minivan.

You only have two choices:You only have two choices: swerve and swerve and kill everyone in the minivan (S)kill everyone in the minivan (S) or or continue continue on the bridge and kill the woman with the on the bridge and kill the woman with the baby (C)baby (C) Assume that in either case there are Assume that in either case there are no legal no legal consequences for you (i.e. it is a consequences for you (i.e. it is a purely moral purely moral choice).choice).

Page 3: What Would You Do??

Answer the following four Answer the following four questions:questions:

Do you swerve and kill yourself along with the Do you swerve and kill yourself along with the other men, or do you keep going and kill the other men, or do you keep going and kill the woman with the baby? woman with the baby?

Suppose you could get out of the car before it Suppose you could get out of the car before it flies off the bridge. Do you swerve killing the flies off the bridge. Do you swerve killing the other men but saving yourself, or do you keep other men but saving yourself, or do you keep going killing the woman and the baby? going killing the woman and the baby?

Suppose that the other men are Suppose that the other men are suspectedsuspected murderers whom you are transporting to the murderers whom you are transporting to the courthouse for a trial. Do you swerve, killing courthouse for a trial. Do you swerve, killing them but saving yourself, or do you keep going, them but saving yourself, or do you keep going, killing the woman and the baby? killing the woman and the baby?

Suppose that the other men are Suppose that the other men are convictedconvicted murderers whom you are transporting to prison murderers whom you are transporting to prison for lifetime sentences without parole. Do you for lifetime sentences without parole. Do you swerve, killing them but saving yourself, or do swerve, killing them but saving yourself, or do you keep going, killing the woman and the baby?you keep going, killing the woman and the baby?

Page 4: What Would You Do??

You're on a hill. You have a rifle and perfect You're on a hill. You have a rifle and perfect aim. You see at a distance a train out of aim. You see at a distance a train out of control and flying at these four people. control and flying at these four people.

You somehow know that it will kill all of them. You somehow know that it will kill all of them. You also see a fat man standing sort of near the You also see a fat man standing sort of near the

tracks. tracks. You realize that if you shoot him from where You realize that if you shoot him from where

you are, he'll fall on the tracks, his mass will you are, he'll fall on the tracks, his mass will stop the train, and the other four will be saved. stop the train, and the other four will be saved.

Nobody sees you, so you don't have to worry Nobody sees you, so you don't have to worry about being tried for murder. Except, of course, about being tried for murder. Except, of course, in your mind. in your mind.

So, do you shoot the fat man? He wouldn't So, do you shoot the fat man? He wouldn't have died unless you shot himhave died unless you shot him

Page 5: What Would You Do??

A cave-in occurs while you and a A cave-in occurs while you and a stranger are in a concrete room deep stranger are in a concrete room deep in a mineshaft. Before the phone in a mineshaft. Before the phone goes dead, you learn the entire mine goes dead, you learn the entire mine is sealed and the air hole being is sealed and the air hole being drilled will not reach you for 30 drilled will not reach you for 30 hours. If you both take sleeping pills hours. If you both take sleeping pills from the medicine chest, the oxygen from the medicine chest, the oxygen will last for only 20 hours. Both of will last for only 20 hours. Both of you can’t survive; alone, one of you you can’t survive; alone, one of you might. After you both realize this, might. After you both realize this, the stranger takes a couple sleeping the stranger takes a couple sleeping pills and says that it is in God’s pills and says that it is in God’s hands, and falls asleep. There is also hands, and falls asleep. There is also a loaded gun in the room with you. a loaded gun in the room with you. What do you do? What do you do?

Page 6: What Would You Do??

Would you be willing to murder an Would you be willing to murder an innocent person if it would end innocent person if it would end hunger in the world?hunger in the world?

You are offered ten million dollars You are offered ten million dollars for the following act. Before you are for the following act. Before you are ten pistols – only one of which is ten pistols – only one of which is loaded. You must pick up one of the loaded. You must pick up one of the pistols, point it at the forehead of an pistols, point it at the forehead of an unknown person bound and gagged unknown person bound and gagged in a seat before you, and pull the in a seat before you, and pull the trigger. If you pick an unloaded trigger. If you pick an unloaded pistol, you walk away with the pistol, you walk away with the moneymoney

Page 7: What Would You Do??

Do you believe in capital punishment? Do you believe in capital punishment? Would you be willing to execute a Would you be willing to execute a person sentenced to death by the courts person sentenced to death by the courts if you were selected by lottery to do so, if you were selected by lottery to do so, and that person would go free if you and that person would go free if you refused? Assume you know ‘no’ details refused? Assume you know ‘no’ details of the trial.of the trial.

You and a person you love deeply are You and a person you love deeply are placed in separate rooms with a button placed in separate rooms with a button next to each of you. You know that you next to each of you. You know that you will be killed unless one of you presses will be killed unless one of you presses your button before sixty minutes pass; your button before sixty minutes pass; furthermore, the first to press the furthermore, the first to press the button will save the other person, but button will save the other person, but will immediately be killed. What would will immediately be killed. What would you do?you do?

Page 8: What Would You Do??

You can rescue (from a fire, say) either an You can rescue (from a fire, say) either an ancient, priceless object or a diseased, ancient, priceless object or a diseased, drunken and morally repulsive human drunken and morally repulsive human beingbeing

A A doctor can only operate on one patient can only operate on one patient - he has to choose between a kind, - he has to choose between a kind, obscure family man and a gifted obscure family man and a gifted artist who is also a horrible human being. who is also a horrible human being.

If you could use a voodoo doll to get even If you could use a voodoo doll to get even with anyone who has ever wronged you, with anyone who has ever wronged you, would you do it?would you do it?

Page 9: What Would You Do??

A pregnant woman leading a group of A pregnant woman leading a group of people out of a cave on a coast is stuck in people out of a cave on a coast is stuck in the mouth of that cave. In a short time the mouth of that cave. In a short time high tide will be upon them, and unless high tide will be upon them, and unless she is unstuck, they will all be drowned she is unstuck, they will all be drowned except the woman, whose head is out of except the woman, whose head is out of the cave. Fortunately, (or unfortunately,) the cave. Fortunately, (or unfortunately,) someone has with him a stick of someone has with him a stick of dynamite. There seems no way to get the dynamite. There seems no way to get the pregnant woman loose without using the pregnant woman loose without using the dynamite which will inevitably kill her; but dynamite which will inevitably kill her; but if they do not use it everyone will drown. if they do not use it everyone will drown. What should they do?What should they do?

Page 10: What Would You Do??

The Fat Man and the Impending DoomThe Fat Man and the Impending Doom A fat man leading a group of people out A fat man leading a group of people out

of a cave on a coast is stuck in the mouth of a cave on a coast is stuck in the mouth of that cave. In a short time high tide will of that cave. In a short time high tide will be upon them, and unless he is unstuck, be upon them, and unless he is unstuck, they will all be drowned except the fat they will all be drowned except the fat man, whose head is out of the cave. [But, man, whose head is out of the cave. [But, fortunately, or unfortunately, someone fortunately, or unfortunately, someone has with him a stick of dynamite.] There has with him a stick of dynamite.] There seems no way to get the fat man loose seems no way to get the fat man loose without using [that] dynamite which will without using [that] dynamite which will inevitably kill him; but if they do not use inevitably kill him; but if they do not use it everyone will drown. What should they it everyone will drown. What should they do? do?

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You are an emergency worker that has just been called to You are an emergency worker that has just been called to the scene of an accident. When you arrive you see that the scene of an accident. When you arrive you see that the car belongs to your wife. Fearing the worst you rush the car belongs to your wife. Fearing the worst you rush over to see she is trapped in her car with another man.over to see she is trapped in her car with another man.

She sees you and although barely conscious, she She sees you and although barely conscious, she manages to mouth the words “I’m sorry”…manages to mouth the words “I’m sorry”…

You don’t understand, but her look answers you question. You don’t understand, but her look answers you question. The man next to her is her lover with whom she’s been The man next to her is her lover with whom she’s been having an affair.having an affair.

You reel back in shock, devastated by what her eyes have You reel back in shock, devastated by what her eyes have just told you. As you step back, the wreck in front of just told you. As you step back, the wreck in front of you comes into focus. You see your wife is seriously you comes into focus. You see your wife is seriously hurt and she needs attention straight away. Even if she hurt and she needs attention straight away. Even if she gets attention there’s a very high chance she’ll die.gets attention there’s a very high chance she’ll die.

You look at the seat next to her and see her lover. He’s You look at the seat next to her and see her lover. He’s bleeding heavily from a wound to the neck and you bleeding heavily from a wound to the neck and you need to stem the flow of blood immediately. It will only need to stem the flow of blood immediately. It will only take about 5 minutes to stop, but it will mean your wife take about 5 minutes to stop, but it will mean your wife will definitely die.will definitely die.

If you tend to your wife however, the man will bleed to If you tend to your wife however, the man will bleed to death despite the fact it could have been avoided.death despite the fact it could have been avoided.

Who would you choose to work on?Who would you choose to work on?

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You are an inmate in a You are an inmate in a concentration camp. A sadistic concentration camp. A sadistic guard is about to hang your son guard is about to hang your son who tried to escape and wants you who tried to escape and wants you to pull the chair from underneath to pull the chair from underneath him. He says that if you don’t he him. He says that if you don’t he will not only kill your son but some will not only kill your son but some other innocent inmate as well. You other innocent inmate as well. You don’t have any doubt that he don’t have any doubt that he means what he says. What should means what he says. What should you do? you do?

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Moral Moral DevelopmentDevelopmentHow your moral thinking How your moral thinking

changes from the womb to the changes from the womb to the tombtomb

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How well do you know your own moral How well do you know your own moral compass? compass? (if you don’t care you just (if you don’t care you just answered the question)answered the question)

Ok be honest with me for a second. Ok be honest with me for a second. If your friend came up to you with a copy If your friend came up to you with a copy

of this years AP Psychology exam would of this years AP Psychology exam would you take a peek?you take a peek?

Let’s say you are guaranteed not to get Let’s say you are guaranteed not to get caught, would you cheat?caught, would you cheat?

I am not interested in whether you would or I am not interested in whether you would or would not cheat, rather I am interested in how would not cheat, rather I am interested in how you came to your decisions.you came to your decisions.

This is the study of This is the study of morality by morality by Lawrence KohlbergLawrence Kohlberg

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MoralityMorality Concepts of what is right and what is wrongConcepts of what is right and what is wrong

Moral dilemmasMoral dilemmas Hypothetical situations in which people must Hypothetical situations in which people must

make a difficult decisionmake a difficult decision

Kohlberg defined a persons level of moral reasoning Kohlberg defined a persons level of moral reasoning based on how they defended his or her position when based on how they defended his or her position when faced with moral dilemmasfaced with moral dilemmas He thought this more important than the actual He thought this more important than the actual

choice madechoice made Kohlberg thought people acquired their morals in Kohlberg thought people acquired their morals in

stagesstages From a self-centered focus to a higher level From a self-centered focus to a higher level

that focused on the good of societythat focused on the good of societyNote: Kohlberg “not everyone makes this Note: Kohlberg “not everyone makes this transition”transition”

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Kohlberg’s Stages of MoralityKohlberg’s Stages of Morality

Ok, this is what Kohlberg did:Ok, this is what Kohlberg did:

He asked people of different ages to He asked people of different ages to read the famous Heinz Dilemma read the famous Heinz Dilemma (and it (and it has nothing to do with ketchup)has nothing to do with ketchup)

He then asked them what they would He then asked them what they would do and more importantly why. do and more importantly why.

Page 17: What Would You Do??

The Heinz DilemmaThe Heinz DilemmaScenario 1Scenario 1

A woman was near death from a unique kind of A woman was near death from a unique kind of cancer. There is a drug that might save her, that . There is a drug that might save her, that a druggist in the same town had recently a druggist in the same town had recently discovered. The drug costs $4,000 per dosage, discovered. The drug costs $4,000 per dosage, ten times what the drug had cost him to make. ten times what the drug had cost him to make. The sick woman's husband, Heinz, went to The sick woman's husband, Heinz, went to everyone he knew to borrow the money and tried everyone he knew to borrow the money and tried every legal means, but he could only get every legal means, but he could only get together about $2,000. He told the druggist that together about $2,000. He told the druggist that his wife was dying and asked him to sell it his wife was dying and asked him to sell it cheaper or to let him pay later. But the druggist cheaper or to let him pay later. But the druggist refused.refused.

Should Heinz break into the laboratory to Should Heinz break into the laboratory to steal the drug for his wife? Why or why not?steal the drug for his wife? Why or why not?

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Scenario 2Scenario 2 Heinz broke into the laboratory and stole the Heinz broke into the laboratory and stole the

drug. The next day, the newspapers reported drug. The next day, the newspapers reported the break-in and theft. Brown, a police officer the break-in and theft. Brown, a police officer and a friend of Heinz remembered seeing Heinz and a friend of Heinz remembered seeing Heinz last evening, behaving suspiciously near the last evening, behaving suspiciously near the laboratory. Later that night, he saw Heinz laboratory. Later that night, he saw Heinz running away from the laboratory.running away from the laboratory.

Should Brown report what he saw? Should Brown report what he saw? Why or why not?Why or why not?

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Scenario 3Scenario 3 Officer Brown reported what he saw. Heinz was Officer Brown reported what he saw. Heinz was

arrested and brought to court. If convicted, he arrested and brought to court. If convicted, he faces up to two years in jail. Heinz was found faces up to two years in jail. Heinz was found guilty.guilty.

Should the judge sentence Heinz to Should the judge sentence Heinz to prison? Why or why not?prison? Why or why not?

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From his research Kohlberg From his research Kohlberg identified three levels of moral identified three levels of moral

reasoningreasoning

Preconventional Preconventional MoralityMorality

Conventional MoralityConventional Morality Postconventional Postconventional MoralityMorality

Note:Note:

Each level has two Each level has two separate stages or separate stages or

levelslevels

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Preconventional MoralityPreconventional Morality At this level, At this level, judgments and decisions judgments and decisions areare

based on the desire to based on the desire to avoid punishment avoid punishment or to or to get rewardedget rewarded This is the morality exhibited by young children This is the morality exhibited by young children If you do not cheat on the AP test because you are If you do not cheat on the AP test because you are

afraid that you will get caught and punished you are afraid that you will get caught and punished you are using this.using this.

Used by kids when told to clean their room and they Used by kids when told to clean their room and they will be rewarded by watching tv or some other rewardwill be rewarded by watching tv or some other reward• they are cleaning not because he feels some internal sense of they are cleaning not because he feels some internal sense of

moral goodness to clean – but rather, they want the rewardmoral goodness to clean – but rather, they want the reward

Two levelsTwo levels Punishment-obedience orientationPunishment-obedience orientation

• (obey rules to avoid punishment or fear of punishment)(obey rules to avoid punishment or fear of punishment) Personal Reward orientationPersonal Reward orientation

• (do what is best for yourself)(do what is best for yourself)

Page 22: What Would You Do??

Heinz and Preconventional Heinz and Preconventional MoralityMorality

Stage One Stage One (Punishment-Obedience)(Punishment-Obedience) If you think Heinz is wrong to steal the drug because he If you think Heinz is wrong to steal the drug because he

could get caught and punished you are using PCM.could get caught and punished you are using PCM.

Stage Two Stage Two (Personal Reward)(Personal Reward) If you think Heinz was right to steal the drug because If you think Heinz was right to steal the drug because

he will be rewarded with his wife’s life, then you are he will be rewarded with his wife’s life, then you are still using PCM.still using PCM.

Remember….It is not about the Remember….It is not about the decision, but rather the how's and decision, but rather the how's and why’s you go about reasoning it!!why’s you go about reasoning it!!

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Conventional MoralityConventional Morality At this level, At this level, judgments and decisions judgments and decisions are made are made

based to gain the based to gain the approval of others and society approval of others and society and and society’s laws (norms)society’s laws (norms) This is the most common moral stage for teenagersThis is the most common moral stage for teenagers Your morality is based on how you think people will Your morality is based on how you think people will

view youview you You think to yourselves, “how will my peers view me”.You think to yourselves, “how will my peers view me”. If you choose not to cheat on the AP test because if If you choose not to cheat on the AP test because if

you get caught your friends will think you are a you get caught your friends will think you are a cheater, you have used CM. (or if you cheat because if cheater, you have used CM. (or if you cheat because if you don’t they will think you are a loser you have used you don’t they will think you are a loser you have used CM)CM)

Two levelsTwo levels Good boy-Nice girl orientationGood boy-Nice girl orientation

• ones behavior is determined by what pleases and is approved ones behavior is determined by what pleases and is approved by othersby others

Law and order orientationLaw and order orientation • authority must be respected and the social order maintainedauthority must be respected and the social order maintained

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Conventional MoralityConventional Morality We have the huge cheating problem in our We have the huge cheating problem in our

educational system today.educational system today. Why? Because most of you emphasis CM Why? Because most of you emphasis CM

because you REALLY care what your peers think because you REALLY care what your peers think of you.of you.

Cheating is not looked at as the horrific act it Cheating is not looked at as the horrific act it once wasonce was

Many of you would not think any less of a Many of you would not think any less of a cheater – reinforcing people to cheat even cheater – reinforcing people to cheat even more.more.

If cheating was looked at as a “Scarlet Letter”, If cheating was looked at as a “Scarlet Letter”, teenagers would rarely cheat.teenagers would rarely cheat.

Page 25: What Would You Do??

Heinz and Conventional Heinz and Conventional MoralityMorality

In the Heinz example, whether you think In the Heinz example, whether you think people will like him and think of him as people will like him and think of him as hero or if you think people will think him hero or if you think people will think him a criminal, you are using conventional a criminal, you are using conventional morality.morality.

It’s wrong for him to steal because it is It’s wrong for him to steal because it is against the law and he wants society to against the law and he wants society to approve of his actions so he doesn’t stealapprove of his actions so he doesn’t steal

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Postconventional MoralityPostconventional Morality At this level, At this level, judgments and decisions judgments and decisions are based on are based on

abstractabstract, , personal principles (values)personal principles (values) Decisions can not be defined by society’s laws, because Decisions can not be defined by society’s laws, because

“justice” may not be reflected in societal law“justice” may not be reflected in societal law You rely on what is called You rely on what is called

• Universal ethical principlesUniversal ethical principles• Your belief in an absolute right and wrongYour belief in an absolute right and wrong

Laws can be seen as arbitrary depending on the Laws can be seen as arbitrary depending on the situationsituation

People realize that laws are important to keep society running People realize that laws are important to keep society running smoothly, but also know that they can be too rigid in some smoothly, but also know that they can be too rigid in some casescases

So you would cheat or not cheat on the AP test depending on So you would cheat or not cheat on the AP test depending on what your own personal set of ethics arewhat your own personal set of ethics are

Two levelsTwo levels Social Contract orientationSocial Contract orientation

• there is a socially agreed upon standard for individual rights – but there is a socially agreed upon standard for individual rights – but some laws may be unjust or unfairsome laws may be unjust or unfair

Universal Ethical Principle orientationUniversal Ethical Principle orientation • ““good” and “right” are based on individual conscience and personal good” and “right” are based on individual conscience and personal

views of justice, human dignity and equalityviews of justice, human dignity and equality

Page 27: What Would You Do??

Heinz and Heinz and Postconventional Postconventional

MoralityMorality

In the Heinz example, you may In the Heinz example, you may believe he was justified because a believe he was justified because a woman’s life outweighs the store woman’s life outweighs the store owner’s right of personal propertyowner’s right of personal property

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Criticisms of KohlbergCriticisms of Kohlberg Carol GilliganCarol Gilligan

Criticized Kohlberg’s theory because he only Criticized Kohlberg’s theory because he only focused on boys focused on boys

• Kohlberg said women’s morality is less fully Kohlberg said women’s morality is less fully developed than men’sdeveloped than men’s

• Gilligan said that boys have a more Gilligan said that boys have a more absoluteabsolute perspective on morality perspective on morality

• While girls tend to look at the While girls tend to look at the situationsituation and and relationshipsrelationships of the people involved before of the people involved before making a decisionmaking a decision

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Kohlberg’s ideas at work in the Kohlberg’s ideas at work in the classroomclassroom

What level???What level??? A fourth grade girl refrains from running A fourth grade girl refrains from running

in the hallway to avoid the consequences in the hallway to avoid the consequences involved in breaking that school’s rule.involved in breaking that school’s rule. PreconventionalPreconventional Punishment-obediencePunishment-obedience

““Wear appropriate shoes on the gym Wear appropriate shoes on the gym floor“ - Public property must be floor“ - Public property must be protected in the protected in the schoolsschools ConventionalConventional Law and orderLaw and order

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A middle school student agrees to throw out the A middle school student agrees to throw out the gum she is chewing to please the teacher. gum she is chewing to please the teacher. ConventionalConventional Good boy/ nice girlGood boy/ nice girl

At a high school for girls in Chicago, math At a high school for girls in Chicago, math classes studied demographic facts related to classes studied demographic facts related to hunger , and religion classes discussed the hunger , and religion classes discussed the question of "What is our ethical and religious question of "What is our ethical and religious responsibility for the starving people of the responsibility for the starving people of the world? world? PostconventionalPostconventional Universal ethical principleUniversal ethical principle

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"Please remember that this is your room and "Please remember that this is your room and your class. The behavior and participation of your class. The behavior and participation of each person will shape the type of learning each person will shape the type of learning that will occur. Since one person's behavior that will occur. Since one person's behavior affects everyone else, I request that everyone affects everyone else, I request that everyone in the class be responsible for classroom in the class be responsible for classroom management. To ensure that our rights are management. To ensure that our rights are protected and upheld, the following laws have protected and upheld, the following laws have been established for this classroom..." been established for this classroom..." PostconventionalPostconventional Social contractSocial contract

A student offers to be last in line when going A student offers to be last in line when going to the cafeteria so she can be first in line to the cafeteria so she can be first in line when going out for recess. when going out for recess. PreconventionalPreconventional Personal rewardPersonal reward

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What would you do??What would you do??In a country in Europe, a poor man named Nick In a country in Europe, a poor man named Nick

could find no work, nor could his sister and could find no work, nor could his sister and brother. Without money, he stole food and brother. Without money, he stole food and

medicine that they needed. He was captured medicine that they needed. He was captured and sentenced to prison for six years. After a and sentenced to prison for six years. After a

couple of years, he escaped from the prison and couple of years, he escaped from the prison and went to live in another part of the country under went to live in another part of the country under a new name. He saved money and slowly built a new name. He saved money and slowly built

up a big factory. He gave his workers the highest up a big factory. He gave his workers the highest wages and used most of his profits to build a wages and used most of his profits to build a hospital for people who couldn’t afford good hospital for people who couldn’t afford good

medical care. Twenty years had passed when a medical care. Twenty years had passed when a tailor recognized the factory owner as being Nick, tailor recognized the factory owner as being Nick,

the escaped convict whom the police had been the escaped convict whom the police had been looking for back in his hometown.looking for back in his hometown.

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Should the tailor report Nick to Should the tailor report Nick to the police? Why or why not? the police? Why or why not?

If you could use a voodoo doll If you could use a voodoo doll to get even with anyone who to get even with anyone who has ever wronged you, would has ever wronged you, would you do it?you do it?

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In 1842, a ship struck an iceberg and more than 30 In 1842, a ship struck an iceberg and more than 30 survivors were crowded into a lifeboat intended to hold 7. survivors were crowded into a lifeboat intended to hold 7.

As a storm threatened, it became obvious that the As a storm threatened, it became obvious that the lifeboat would have to be lightened if anyone were to lifeboat would have to be lightened if anyone were to

survive. The captain reasoned that the right thing to do in survive. The captain reasoned that the right thing to do in this situation was to force some individuals to go over the this situation was to force some individuals to go over the

side and drown. Such an action, he reasoned, was not side and drown. Such an action, he reasoned, was not unjust to those thrown overboard, for they would have unjust to those thrown overboard, for they would have

drowned anyway. If he did nothing, however, he would be drowned anyway. If he did nothing, however, he would be responsible for the deaths of those whom he could have responsible for the deaths of those whom he could have

saved. Some people opposed the captain's decision. They saved. Some people opposed the captain's decision. They claimed that if nothing were done and everyone died as a claimed that if nothing were done and everyone died as a result, no one would be responsible for these deaths. On result, no one would be responsible for these deaths. On

the other hand, if the captain attempted to save some, he the other hand, if the captain attempted to save some, he could do so only by killing others and their deaths would could do so only by killing others and their deaths would

be his responsibility; this would be worse than doing be his responsibility; this would be worse than doing nothing and letting all die. The captain rejected this nothing and letting all die. The captain rejected this

reasoning. Since the only possibility for rescue required reasoning. Since the only possibility for rescue required great efforts of rowing, the captain decided that the great efforts of rowing, the captain decided that the

weakest would have to be sacrificed. In this situation it weakest would have to be sacrificed. In this situation it would be absurd, he thought, to decide by drawing lots would be absurd, he thought, to decide by drawing lots who should be thrown overboard. As it turned out, after who should be thrown overboard. As it turned out, after days of hard rowing, the survivors were rescued and the days of hard rowing, the survivors were rescued and the captain was tried for his action. If you had been on the captain was tried for his action. If you had been on the

jury, how would you have decided?jury, how would you have decided?

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A madman who has threatened to explode several A madman who has threatened to explode several bombs in crowded areas has been apprehended. bombs in crowded areas has been apprehended. Unfortunately, he has already planted the bombs Unfortunately, he has already planted the bombs and they are scheduled to go off in a short time. It and they are scheduled to go off in a short time. It is possible that hundreds of people may die. The is possible that hundreds of people may die. The authorities cannot make him divulge the location authorities cannot make him divulge the location of the bombs by conventional methods. He of the bombs by conventional methods. He refuses to say anything and requests a lawyer to refuses to say anything and requests a lawyer to protect his fifth amendment right against self-protect his fifth amendment right against self-incrimination. In exasperation, some high level incrimination. In exasperation, some high level official suggests torture. This would be illegal, of official suggests torture. This would be illegal, of course, but the official thinks that it is course, but the official thinks that it is nevertheless the right thing to do in this nevertheless the right thing to do in this desperate situation. desperate situation.

Do you agree? Do you agree? If you do, would it also be morally justifiable to If you do, would it also be morally justifiable to

torture the mad bomber’s innocent wife if that is torture the mad bomber’s innocent wife if that is the only way to make him talk? Why?the only way to make him talk? Why?

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In the novel In the novel Sophie's ChoiceSophie's Choice, a Polish woman, Sophie , a Polish woman, Sophie Zawistowska, is arrested by the Nazis and sent to the Zawistowska, is arrested by the Nazis and sent to the Auschwitz death camp. On arrival, she is "honored" Auschwitz death camp. On arrival, she is "honored" for not being a Jew by being allowed a choice: One of for not being a Jew by being allowed a choice: One of her children will be spared the gas chamber if she her children will be spared the gas chamber if she chooses which one. In an agony of indecision, as chooses which one. In an agony of indecision, as both children are being taken away, she suddenly both children are being taken away, she suddenly does choose. They can take her daughter, who is does choose. They can take her daughter, who is younger and smaller. Sophie hopes that her older younger and smaller. Sophie hopes that her older and stronger son will be better able to survive, but and stronger son will be better able to survive, but she loses track of him and never does learn of his she loses track of him and never does learn of his fate. Did she do the right thing? Years later, haunted fate. Did she do the right thing? Years later, haunted by the guilt of having chosen between her children, by the guilt of having chosen between her children, Sophie commits suicide. Should she have felt guilty? Sophie commits suicide. Should she have felt guilty?

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Dilemmas