Question

1. group work (5 minutes)

each group will work on one dilemma and then split into two sides:

• side a: argues in favor of the action (its moral or justified)
• side b: argues against the action (its immoral or unjustified)

1. distribute the dilemmas (3 total)

dilemma 1: the white lie
maria works at a nursing home. one of the elderly residents, who is very ill, asks if his family is coming to visit soon. maria knows they havent visited in months and have no plans to come. she lies and says, \yes, theyre coming soon,\ to comfort him.

• should maria have told the truth, or was lying justified to protect his feelings?
• which moral rules or laws apply here? (e.g., \do not lie,\ compassion, dignity of the person)

dilemma 2: breaking the rule for justice
a student discovers that a close friend has been suspended unfairly because of a teachers misunderstanding. the student secretly records a conversation with the teacher (breaking a school rule against recording staff) to prove the friends innocence.

• was it right to break a school rule to achieve justice?
• how does this situation balance personal integrity, fairness, and obedience to authority?

Explanation:

For Dilemma 1:

• Lying (the white lie) can be seen as justified under the principle of compassion. Telling the truth might cause extreme distress to the elderly, terminally - ill resident. However, the moral rule “Do not lie” is also relevant. But in this case, the act of lying is to protect the dignity and emotional well - being of the person (as he is in a vulnerable state).

For Dilemma 2:

• Breaking the school rule (against recording staff) can be considered right in the pursuit of justice. Here, personal integrity (standing up for a friend) and fairness (correcting an unjust suspension) are prioritized over strict obedience to authority (the school rule). The situation balances these elements by showing that sometimes, a higher moral good (justice for the friend) can override a relatively minor rule when the rule is being misused (the teacher's misunderstanding led to an unfair suspension).

Answer:

For Dilemma 1:

• Maria's lie could be justified. While “Do not lie” is a moral rule, compassion and protecting the dignity (emotional well - being) of the person in a vulnerable state (very ill) can make the lie acceptable.

For Dilemma 2:

• It was right to break the rule. Personal integrity (helping a friend) and fairness (correcting an unjust situation) take precedence over strict obedience to the school rule. The balance is that the pursuit of justice (for the friend) and upholding values like integrity and fairness can justify breaking a rule when the rule is being misapplied (unfair suspension due to teacher's misunderstanding).