Ethics Forum
Issues and Questions
“Facing truths about yourself, another or the situation can be very disappointing and feel most threatening. You won’t feel good … for now.”
Dr Laura Schiessinger
* “Some behaviors are more desirable than others. The results of all behavior are not equally desirable and thus are not equally deserving of our respect.” If I chose the less desirable behaviors what impact will it have on me, my family, my school, my friendships etc.
* Because of conscience, We almost always know the right thing to do! When do people put aside our values and lack of courage and just do it because everyone else is.
*” Most people feel that they have more integrity,are more respectful, are more responsible and more caring than most people.” What does it take for a person to look at themselves objectively?
*”If you make a wrong choice and find yourself in an ethical hole stop digging, your only alternative is to go deeper into the hole. Are there any advantages to disclosing one’s flaws early rather than late in the solution of problems?
*”Since many people are always fighting their own conscience there is a risk in becoming another persons conscience” Can we awaken people to their blind spots without contributing additional blindness?
* “Excuses by their very existence betray an awareness and acceptance of right and wrong. Responsibility always finds a way, irresponsibility makes excuses!” In what way do excuses prevent us from being responsible.
* Its not who’s right when it comes to settling disputes, it’s what’s right” What’s the right thing to do when there is evidence of fraud and dishonesty?
* “Conscience is our capacity to judge ourselves in moral terms and to conform to those standards and values.” How important are norrns and Boundaries for our lives?
* “Integrity demands from us a value system that judges some behaviors as better than others. ” What criteria should we consider when making choices?
* All behavior is impacted by consequences and incentives.” What are the potential prices we pay for not thinking about right or wrong, consequences or responsibility?
* ” Deceptiveness and fraudulent behavior can contribute to an increase in power and wealth.” Morality must be it’s own reward, What are the payoffs of integrity both today and in the future?
* Integrity, Honesty and Honor may not give immediate rewards or gratification and they can be life threatening. i.e. )Wistle blower. What does it take to be a person of integrity. What would it cost you?
“The real test of character comes when doing the right thing may not be in our self-interest.” If everyone did it, would it be the right thing?
* “Ethics are not about the way things are. They are about the way things ought to be”What kind of a future can we build together? Possible future-Probable future.
* “Integrity is focused on inner truth. Every lie and deception we tell ourselves is like a hidden land mine. Sooner or later some of them go off.” What is the relationship between our dominant thoughts and mental rehearsals to our actual behaviors?
* “What a teacher does before misbehavior takes place largely determines whether or not misbehavior will occur.” What kind of a system or set of adult expectations have we created that contribute to the current pressures placed on teens to succeed regardless of the means selected to achieve success?
*There is some immediate gratification (desires gratified) and some long range benefits in doing wrong. We all have internal conflicts between morality and self interest. We do wrong because our inner battle morality is lost to innnediate self-interest. Prices paid for mistakes when you are younger are far less than when you’re older. What prices can we anticipate we will pay for doing the wrong thing? (cheating, lying, stealing)
* When you choose wrong because it suits you right now the message you give others is when it suits you you may do wrong again. You become a threat and liability to others. Ultimately every action is result of a choice.
The previous section is a two page sample taken from the Values In Action Classroom Guide
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