Moral dilemma
两难故事
两难故事美国的教育心理学家科尔伯格(Lawrence Kohlberg，1927~1987)系统地扩展了皮亚杰的理论和方法，并创立了不断完善的科学研究手段，他和他的同事经过20多年的实证研究(即从20世纪50年代中期到80年代)，提出了人类品德发展的顺序原则及数百种特征。
由此发现：道德思维能力是内在于个体身上，并随着个体的成熟而发展。
这就从根本上改变了认为品德仅仅是社会进行道德灌输结果的传统观点。
品德具有个体的主体特征，个体的思想道德品质是个体主动地与环境互动的结果。
这一发现对于思想品德的研究具有十分重要的意义。
它的意义不仅在于揭示了思想品德有自身独特的运动规律，而且表明社会道德与个体道德不是简单合一的或同一的，而是对立统一的。
这反映了人们对品德认识的方法论上的转变。
科尔伯格把皮亚杰的研究方法改进为道德两难故事法，他所设计的故事中包含着一个在道德价值上具有矛盾冲突的故事，让被试听完故事后对故事中人物的行为进行评价，他还设计了相当完备的评价标准体系，以此来测评被试道德发展的水平。
科尔伯格使用的一系列两难推理故事中，最典型的是"海因兹偷药"的故事：欧洲有个妇人患了癌症，生命垂危。
医生认为只有一种药能救她，就是本城一个药剂师最近发明的镭。
制造这种药要花很多钱，药剂师索价还要高过成本十倍。
他花了200元制造镭，而这点药他竟索价2000元。
病妇的丈夫海因兹到处向熟人借钱，一共才借得1000元，只够药费的一半。
海因兹不得已，只好告诉药剂师，他的妻子快要死了，请求药剂师便宜一点卖给他，或者允许他赊欠。
但药剂师说："不成，我发明此药就是为了赚钱。
"海因兹走投无路竟撬开商店的门，为妻子偷来了药。
讲完这个故事，主试就向被试提出了一系列的问题：这个丈夫应该这样做吗?为什么应该?为什么不应该?法官该不该判他的刑?为什么?等等。
儿童对科尔伯格所编制的两难故事中的问题既可做肯定回答，又可做否定回答。
moral delimma例子(一)
moral delimma例子(一)Moral DilemmaMoral dilemma refers to a situation where an individual is faced with two or more moral principles that are inconflict with one another. In such a situation, there is no clear answer or solution - any decision that is made will entail some level of moral compromise. Here are some examples of moral dilemmas:Example 1: The Trolley ProblemThe trolley problem is a classic example of a moral dilemma. It goes like this:A trolley is hurtling down a track and will hit and kill five people who are tied to the track. You are standing next to a lever that would divert the trolley onto another track, which only has one person tied to it. Do you pull the lever, sacrificing one life to save five?In this scenario, there are two moral principles at play: the principle of utility (i.e. saving as many lives as possible) and the principle of respecting individual rights(i.e. not sacrificing a life without consent). No matter what decision is made, it will involve a moral compromise. Example 2: The Heinz DilemmaThe Heinz dilemma is another classic example of a moral dilemma. It goes like this:A woman is dying of cancer and needs a drug that costs $10,000 to save her life. The drug maker is charging $10,000 for the drug, but Heinz (the woman’s husband) can onlyafford to pay $2,000. Should he steal the drug to save his wife’s life?In this scenario, there are two moral principles at play: the principle of respecting the law (i.e. not stealing) and the principle of utility (i.e. saving a life). Once again, any decision that is made will involve a moral compromise. Example 3: The Lying PatientIn this scenario, a patient has asked the doctor not to disclose a diagnosis of terminal illness to their family. The doctor is torn between respecting the patient’s autonomy and duty to disclose the diagnosis to the family.In this scenario, there are two moral principles at play: the principle of respecting the patient’s autonomy(i.e. the patient’s right to control the information about their illness) and the principle of beneficence (i.e. the doctor’s obligation to promote the well-being of the patient and their family). The doctor must decide whether to respect the patient’s wishes and keep the diagnosis confidential, or to disclose the diagnosis to the family in order to promote their well-being.Example 4: The Animal ExperimentIn this scenario, a scientist is conducting an experiment on animals in order to develop a potentially life-saving drug. The experiment involves causing pain and suffering to the animals, even though the end result may save many human lives.In this scenario, there are two moral principles at play: the principle of respecting the well-being of animals(i.e. not causing unnecessary pain and suffering) and the principle of promoting the well-being of humans(i.e. developing a life-saving drug). The scientist must decide whether to continue the experiment and risk causing harm to the animals, or to abandon the experiment and risknot developing a life-saving drug.ConclusionMoral dilemmas are complex situations that challenge our moral principles and require us to make difficult decisions. By understanding different examples of moral dilemmas and the principles at play, we can better navigate these situations and make decisions that are consistent with our own moral values.Example 5: The Insider TradingIn this scenario, a stockbroker has information about an upcoming merger that will significantly increase the value of a company’s stock. The stockbroker is torn between usingthis information to make a profit for themselves and their clients, and the ethical dilemma of using insider information to trade stocks.In this scenario, there are two moral principles at play: the principle of honesty and transparency (i.e. not using insider information to trade stocks) and the principle ofself-interest (i.e. making a profit for oneself and one’s clients). The stockbroker must decide whether to use the insider information to make a profit or to act with integrity and not use the information.Example 6: The End of Life CareIn this scenario, a patient is on life support and has no chance of recovery. The family is torn between ending life support and letting the patient pass away peacefully, and keeping the patient alive with the hope that they may recover.In this scenario, there are two moral principles at play: the principle of respecting the patient’s autonomy(i.e. the patient’s right to make decisions about their end of life care) and the principle of beneficence (i.e. the family’s obligation to promote the well-being of the patient). The family must decide whether to respect the patient’s wishes and end life support or to continue life support and hope for a recovery.Example 7: The Sweatshop WorkersIn this scenario, a company is using sweatshop labor in a third-world country to produce its products at a cheaper cost. The company is torn between the ethical dilemma of exploiting workers and the economic benefits of using cheaper labor.In this scenario, there are two moral principles at play: the principle of respecting workers’ rights and humandignity (i.e. not exploiting workers for profit) and the principle of economic benefits (i.e. reducing productioncosts and increasing profit). The company must decide whether to continue using sweatshop labor or to pay workers a fair wage and respect their rights.ConclusionMoral dilemmas arise in everyday life and require us to make difficult decisions that involve moral compromise. By understanding different examples of moral dilemmas and the principles at play, we can develop a framework for making ethical decisions that align with our own values and beliefs. Ultimately, the key to resolving a moral dilemma is to actwith integrity, honesty, and respect for all parties involved.。
Moral Dilemmas 英文道德困境课件
Group role-play
In groups of two, three or four will do a 5minute role play on a topic we’ve discussed so far in class:
Interview questions will be based on your roleplay.
Any questions???
Moral Dilemmas
Define these words with your partner
Morality Dilemma Ethics Compromise Justify Denial
How do you justify your answer?
Story 3
You are competing with another student for a scholarship to Harvard University graduate program. You both really want the scholarship and can’t go to Harvard without it.
The dilemma
You find out that your best friend’s husband/wife is cheating (having sex with someone else).
You tell your friend’s spouse that you will tell on him/her about his/her cheating.
Denial of Responsibility: “Everyone does it. If I don’t, I’m left in the dust. Good guys finish last.”
高中英语Unit2Period1ListeningandSpeaking课件新人教版必修第三册
Period One Listening and Speaking
课前自主预习
序号 重点词汇 音标 1 moral /'mɒrəl/ 2 virtue /'vɜːtʃuː/
¤重点单词
词性 英译汉词义Fra bibliotek汉译英
adj.
道德的；道义上的
n．
品行；道德；寓意
课堂新知讲练
◇词汇拓讲 1．moral adj.道德的；道义上的 n．品行；道德；寓意 Paraphrase: concerned with principles of right and wrong behaviour; standards or principles of good behaviour (P14)What moral dilemma is the boy in the picture facing? 【翻译】照片中的男孩面临着什么道德困境？
15．过马路 ___c_r_o_ss__th_e__ro_a_d___ 16．帮助他做功课 ___h_el_p_h_i_m__w_i_t_h_h_i_s_s_c_h_o_o_lw__o_rk_____
¤重点句式
1．A moral dilemma is a situation in ________ you have two or more difficult choices to make.(介词＋关系代词)
He is eager for/about success in the coming exam. 他渴望在即将到来的考试中取得成功。 Thirsty for knowledge, he spends most of his spare time in the library. 他渴望知识，所以大部分业余时间都花在图书馆里。 I’m dying to know what happened.Could you tell me some details? 我很想知道发生了什么。你能告诉我一些细节吗？
The-Moral-Dilemmas-of-Artificial-Intelligence
The Moral Dilemmas of ArtificialIntelligenceArtificial intelligence () is a rapidly advancing field with the potential to revolutionize various aspects of our lives, from healthcare to transportation to entertainment. However, as systems become more sophisticated and pervasive, they also raise complex moral dilemmas that warrant careful consideration. The intersection of technology and morality has sparked thought-provoking discussions among ethicists, policymakers, and the general public. In this essay, we will explore the moral dilemmas of artificial intelligence from multiple perspectives, examining the implications of on decision-making, privacy, employment, and the broader societal impact. From an ethical standpoint, one of the central moral dilemmas of revolves around the notion of decision-making. systems are designed to process vast amounts of data and make autonomous decisions based on predetermined algorithms. While this capability has the potential to improve efficiency and accuracy in various domains, it also raises questions about accountability and transparency. For instance, in fields such as healthcare and criminal justice, algorithms are increasingly being used to make decisions with significant implications for individuals' lives, such as medical diagnoses or sentencing recommendations. The ethical dilemma arises when these decisions are opaque, and individuals are unable to understand the rationale behind them. Moreover, if an system makes a flawed or biased decision, who bears the responsibility? These questions underscore the importance of ensuring that decision-making processes are fair, explainable, and aligned with ethical principles. In addition to decision-making, presents moral dilemmas in the realm of privacy and data protection. As systems rely on vast amounts of data to learn and improve their performance, concerns about data privacy and security have come to the forefront. For example, the collection and utilization of personal data by -powered technologies, such as facial recognition systems or predictive analytics, have sparked debates about the balance between innovation and individual privacy rights. Furthermore, the potential for systems to be exploited for surveillance or manipulative purposes raises profound ethical concerns. Thus, addressing themoral dilemmas of in the context of privacy entails establishing robust regulations and ethical guidelines to safeguard individuals' privacy rights while fostering technological advancement. Moreover, the rise of has prompted discussions about its impact on employment and the future of work. While proponents of argue that it can automate repetitive tasks and free up human workers to focus on more creative and complex endeavors, skeptics raise concerns about job displacement and the potential erosion of meaningful work opportunities. The moral dilemma lies in reconciling the potential societal benefits of -driven automation with the potential consequences for individuals whose livelihoods maybe disrupted. Ensuring a fair transition to an -augmented workforce and addressing the ethical implications of job displacement require a careful examination oflabor policies, education and training programs, and social safety nets. Furthermore, the broader societal impact of raises profound moral dilemmas concerning equity, justice, and the distribution of benefits and risks. As technologies proliferate, there is a risk that they may exacerbate existing disparities and privilege certain groups over others. For instance, biased algorithms can perpetuate discriminatory outcomes in areas such as lending, hiring, and law enforcement, amplifying social inequities. Additionally, the geopolitical implications of , including concerns about autonomous weapons and geopolitical competition, add another layer of moral complexity. Addressing these dilemmas necessitates a holistic approach that prioritizes equity, diversity, and inclusion in development and deployment, as well as international cooperation and ethical frameworks to mitigate potential harms. In conclusion, the moral dilemmas of artificial intelligence encompass a wide range of complex ethical considerations, from decision-making and privacy to employment and societal impact. As continues to advance and integrate into various facets of our lives, it is essential to confront these dilemmas through an ethical lens, placing human values and well-being at the center of development and deployment. By engaging inmultidisciplinary dialogue, involving stakeholders from diverse backgrounds, and proactively shaping policies and norms, we can navigate the moral complexities of and steer its trajectory toward beneficial outcomes for humanity. Ultimately, the ethical stewardship of requires a collective commitment to upholding ethicalprinciples and ensuring that technology serves the common good. In crafting this essay, I aimed to present a comprehensive exploration of the moral dilemmas of artificial intelligence, drawing on diverse perspectives and ethical considerations. I endeavored to emulate a human response by incorporating emotional elements and conveying the urgency of addressing these dilemmas in a thoughtful and empathetic manner. As continues to evolve, it is imperative to engage in ongoing ethical discourse and decision-making to navigate the complex terrain of ethics and steer technological innovations toward positive societal impact.。
(新)人教版必修三unit2 Morals and Virtues ( Listening and Speaking )
reasons, sometimes it could be really difficult to decide. • Luke: Oh, situations like that don't happen very often, do they? • Jane: Actually, I think people face moral dilemmas all the time, even us students. • Luke:Really?Like what? • Jane:Well,for example,it mentions a girl who was taking the entrance exam for a medical university
教材知识解读 必修第三册 Unit 2 Morals and Virtues(1)
Ⅰ.认阅读单词1．moral adj.道德的；道义上的n．品德；道德；寓意2．dilemma n．进退两难的境地；逆境3．moral dilemma道德逆境4．entrust v t.托付；交付5．tuition n．(小组)教学；讲课6．tuition fees学费7．physician n．医师；(尤指)内科医生8．resident physician住院医师9．colleague n．同事；同僚10．faraway adj.遥远的11．kindergarten n．学前班；幼儿园12．insurance n．保险；保险业13．import n．进口；进口商品v t.进口；输入；引进14．export n．出口；出口商品v t.出口；输出；传播15．pole n．(行星的)极；地极16．lap n．(坐着时的)大腿部；(跑道等的)一圈17．café n．咖啡馆；小餐馆18．waitress n．(餐馆的)女服务员；女侍者19．pregnant adj.怀孕的；妊娠的20．disguise v t.装扮；假扮；掩盖n．伪装；扮装用具21．maple n．枫树；槭树22．cart n．手推车；运货马车23．spill v t.& v i.(spilt/spilled，spilt/spilled)(使)洒出；(使)溢出24．might n．力气；威力25．fable n．寓言；寓言故事Ⅱ.记重点单词1．virtue n．高尚的道德；美德；优秀品质2．faint v i.昏倒；晕厥adj.不清楚的；微弱的3．illustrate v t.(举例)说明；阐明；给(书或文章)加插图4．precious adj.珍稀的；贵重的5．fee n．专业服务费；酬劳6．union n．协会；联合会；工会7．hire v t.聘任；雇用；租用n．租借；租用8．clinic n．诊所；门诊部9．decade n．十年；十年期10．elsewhere ad v.在别处；去别处11．publish v t.发表(作品)；出版12．staff n．员工；全体职员13．principle n．道德原则；法则；原则14．passive adj.被动的；服从的15．whisper v i.& v t.悄声说；耳语；低语n．耳语(声)；低语(声)；传言；谣传16．midnight n．半夜；午夜17．bite v t.& v i.(bit，bitten)咬；叮；蜇n．咬；(咬下的)一口；咬伤18．lip n．嘴唇19．chairman n．主席；主持人；董事长20．chain n．一连串(人或事)；链子；链条21．limp v i.跛行；一瘸一拐地走22．tear n．眼泪；泪水23．despair n．无望v i.无望；感到无望24．court n．(网球等的)球场；法院；法庭25．income n．收入；收益26．per prep.每；每一27．therefore ad v.因此；所以Ⅲ.知拓展单词1．marriage n．结婚；婚姻→marry v．(和某人)结婚；嫁；娶2．majority n．大部分；大多数→major adj.主要的v i.主修n．主修课程；少校3．complain v i.& v t.埋怨；发牢骚→complaint n．埋怨；投诉4．respond v t.回答；回复v i.做出反应；回应→response n．反应；回答；回复5．scholarship n．奖学金→scholar n．学者6．reject v t.拒绝接受；不录用→rejection n．拒绝接受；拒绝7．appoint v t.任命；委派→appointment n．约会；任命；委任→appointed adj.商定的；指定的8．elect v t.选举；推选→election n．选举；推选；当选9．tend v t.照看；照料v i.倾向；趋于→tendency n．趋势；趋向10．retire v t.& v i.退休；退职；退出→retirement n．退休→retired adj.退休的11．saving n．节省物；节省；节省；[pl.]储蓄金；存款→save v t.救；节省；储蓄12．scared adj.可怕的；对……感到慌张或恐惊的→scare v t.惊吓；使可怕v i.受惊吓→scary adj.吓人的；恐怖的13．sharp adj.(增长、下跌等)急剧的；锋利的；明显的→sharply ad v.急剧地；严峻地→sharpen v t.削尖；磨快；使提高14．energetic adj.精力充分的；布满活力的→energy n．精力；活力；能量15．replace v t.接替；取代；更换→replacement n．更换；更替；替换的人/物16．accident n．事故；车祸；失事→accidental adj.意外的；偶然的→accidentally ad v.偶然地17．operation n．手术；企业；经营→operate v t.& v i.做手术；经营；操作；运转→operator n．操作员；接线员；经营者18．assist v t.挂念；救济→assistant n．助理；助手→assistance n．挂念；救济19．memory n．记忆力；回忆→memoriz(s)e v t.记住；记忆20．harm n．& v t.损害；损害→harmful adj.有害的→harmfully ad v.有害地→harmless adj.无害的21．flexible adj.机敏的；可变通的→flexibly ad v.机敏地→flexibility n．机敏性22．tension n．紧急关系；紧急；焦虑→tense adj.紧急的；(尤指肌肉、身体)拉紧的n．(动词的)时态1．compulsory adj.义务的；强制的2．condemn v t.责怪；使注定3．conflict v t.冲突；抵触n．冲突；冲突4．conscious adj.神志糊涂的；有意识的5．consequence n．结果；后果6．conservative adj.保守的；守旧的7．considerate adj.爱护的；考虑周到的8．consistent adj.一贯的；全都的Ⅳ.背核心短语1．carry sb through sth 挂念某人渡过难关2．tend to do sth 易于做某事；往往会发生某事3．first aid急救4．pass away去世5．in memory of作为对……的纪念6．trip over被……绊倒7．in tears流着泪；含着泪8．in despair处于无望中9．a great deal (of) 大量10．choose to do sth选择做某事11．care for宠爱；照看12．succeed in doing sth成功地做某事13．be responsible for为……负责14．make an attempt to do sth尝试做某事；努力做某事Ⅴ.悟经典句式1．To a person nothing is more precious than their life...(“否定词＋比较级”表达最高级含义)对一个人来说，生命是最贵重的……2．She immediately became the first woman ever to be hired as a resident physician in the OB-GYN department of the PUMC Hospital.(the＋序数词＋n.＋to do)她随即成为北京协和医院妇产科聘任的第一位女住院医师。
必修三Unit 2 Morals and virtues 课文重点词汇讲解
The majority of 大量的，许多的
At age 18, instead of following the traditional path of marriage like the majority of girls, she chose to study medidne.
10.respond [rɪ'spɒnd]: v.回答;回复; 做出反应; 回应
response: n. 响应; 反应;回答;答复
respond to...: 对...回答/回应/回复
response [rɪ'spɒns ]: n. 反应;回答;回复 in response to...: 作为答复;响应;
9.tuition [tju'ɪʃn]:n. (小组)教学; 讲课; 学费 fee [fiː]: n.专业服务费;报酬
Her brother complained, thinking of the high tuition fees. However, those harsh words never stop Lin Qiaozhi from pursuing her dream.
virtue ['vɜːtʃuː]: n. 高尚的道德; 美德; 优秀品质
A moral dilemma is a situation where (填定语从句关系词) you have two or more difficult choices to make.
If I were the boy faced with such a moral dilemma, I would choose to help her. This is because being hardworking and kind is one of the significant traditional virtues in China.
2020年高一下学期英语新人教版必修三book 3 unit 2 MORALS AND VIRTUES词汇一
debt.
（5）［词汇复现］In spite of the difficulty，I will carry ◆单句写作
outmy plan.
（6） It’s a difficult job but she’s the person to carry it through （ 顺利完
成）.
词汇三 majority n. 大部分；大多数
carry off 赢得；获得；成功对付
carry weight 有影响力；重要；有分量
◆单句语法填空
（1） His determination carried him through the hard time. （2）［词汇复现］I’d be grateful if you let me carry on with my job.
（大多数）the citizens live in tents. （9） In college I majored in （主修）Natural Science. What was your major?
词汇四 complaiຫໍສະໝຸດ vi. & vt. 抱怨；发牢骚
◆词语积累
（ 1）major adj. 主要的，重要的，大的 n. 主修课程，专业；主修 某科目的学生
vi. 主修
major in 主修
an English major 英语专业的学生
play a major role/part in sth. 在某事中起重要作用
（ 2）minor adj. 次要的
（7） English is his major and he has no difficulty communicating with foreigners. __名__词__，_专__业_______
新教材人教版高中英语必修第三册：Unit 2 Morals and Virtues 优秀课件
UNIT 2 MORALS AND VIRTUES
Section A Listening and Speaking Section B Reading and Thinking Section C Discovering Useful Structures
新教材 高中英语 必修第三册 UNIT 2 MORALS AND VIRTUES
◆单句语法填空
（1）［词汇复现］They are struggling to reach a point where anyone enjoy the freedom
of religion.
（2）［词汇复现］There are many activities during Rio Carnival where he can march
to choose between two or more outcomes. ◆句型转换 （5） He got into a situation where it is hard to make a decision.
→ He got into a situation in which it is hard to make a decision.
Talk about moral dilemmas 讨论道德困境
◆要点必记
moral dilemma 道德困境
in a dilemma 处于进退两难的境地
face a dilemma 面临进退两难的困境 ◆单句语法填空
get out of a dilemma 摆脱两难的处境
单句语法填空
（1）［词汇复现］I am grateful that you help me get out of the dilemma I was in .
英语作文道德困境
The Complexities of Ethical DilemmasIn the intricate tapestry of human existence, ethical dilemmas stand as knotty challenges that test our moral compass and force us to navigate between conflicting principles. These situations, often characterized by ambiguity and uncertainty, demand careful consideration of not just what is right or wrong, but also what is just and fair.At the heart of an ethical dilemma lies a conflict between two or more ethical principles, each carrying its own weight and validity. For instance, imagine a scenario where a doctor is faced with the choice of eitherpreserving a patient's privacy or disclosing sensitive information that could potentially save the lives of others. Such situations force individuals to make decisions that involve weighing the competing values of confidentiality, trust, and the greater good.The complexity of ethical dilemmas often stems from the fact that there are no absolute, universal answers. What may be considered ethical in one context may notnecessarily apply in another. Cultural norms, socialexpectations, and personal beliefs all contribute to shaping our understanding of what is right and wrong. This subjectivity adds another layer of complexity to ethical decision-making, making it difficult to arrive at a single, definitive solution.Moreover, ethical dilemmas often involve emotions and personal biases that can cloud our judgment. Fear, guilt, empathy, and a desire to do what is best can all influence our decision-making process, sometimes leading us to make choices that may not be entirely objective or rational.Dealing with ethical dilemmas requires a combination of critical thinking, empathy, and moral courage. We must be willing to question our assumptions, explore alternative perspectives, and consider the potential consequences of our actions. It is also important to engage in dialogue and seek the input of others, as this can help us gain a more comprehensive understanding of the situation and identify potential solutions.In conclusion, ethical dilemmas are a fundamental part of human existence, and they present unique challenges that require careful consideration and moral courage. Byapproaching these situations with openness, empathy, and a commitment to doing what is right, we can navigate through them and make decisions that are both ethical and responsible.**道德困境的复杂性**在人类生活的纷繁复杂的织锦中，道德困境作为棘手的挑战，考验着我们的道德指南针，迫使我们在相互冲突的原则之间徘徊。
道德困境的英语
道德困境的英语
“道德困境”：moral dilemma。
一、短语构成分析
- “moral”是形容词，意思是“道德的；精神上的；品性端正的”，例如“moral values”（道德价值观），“moral education”（道德教育）。
- “dilemma”是名词，指“困境；进退两难；两刀论法”。
二、例句
1. She is facing a moral dilemma whether to tell the truth and hurt her friend or keep silent.（她正面临一个道德困境：是说出真相伤害她的朋友还是保持沉默。
）
2. The movie presents a series of moral dilemmas that make the audience think deeply.（这部电影呈现了一系列道德困境，让观众深思。
）
三、相关拓展
- 可以和“moral dilemma”搭配的动词有“face”（面临）、“solve”（解决）、“encounter”（遭遇）等。
- 在写作中，当讨论伦理、社会现象或者人物在特定情境下的抉择时，“moral dilemma”是一个很有用的表达。
moral dilemmas
Some Moral DilemmasThe following is a list of some moral dilemmas, mostly adapted from Moral Reasoning, by Victor Grassian (Prentice Hall, 1981, 1992), with some additions. The question to consider with all of these is why they are dilemmas. Some, however, may not seem to be dilemmas at all. Discussion of the dilemmas can be found at The Generalized Structure of Ethical Dilemmas, although discussion is also provided here in some cases.1.The Overcrowded LifeboatIn 1842, a ship struck an iceberg and more than 30 survivors were crowdedinto a lifeboat intended to hold 7. As a storm threatened, it becameobvious that the lifeboat would have to be lightened if anyone were tosurvive. The captain reasoned that the right thing to do in this situationwas to force some individuals to go over the side and drown. Such an action,he reasoned, was not unjust to those thrown overboard, for they would havedrowned anyway. If he did nothing, however, he would be responsible forthe deaths of those whom he could have saved. Some people opposed thecaptain's decision. They claimed that if nothing were done and everyonedied as a result, no one would be responsible for these deaths. On theother hand, if the captain attempted to save some, he could do so onlyby killing others and their deaths would be his responsibility; this wouldbe worse than doing nothing and letting all die. The captain rejected thisreasoning. Since the only possibility for rescue required great effortsof rowing, the captain decided that the weakest would have to be sacrificed.In this situation it would be absurd, he thought, to decide by drawinglots who should be thrown overboard. As it turned out, after days of hardrowing, the survivors were rescued and the captain was tried for his action.If you had been on the jury, how would you have decided?2. A Father's Agonizing ChoiceYou are an inmate in a concentration camp. A sadistic guard is about tohang your son who tried to escape and wants you to pull the chair fromunderneath him. He says that if you don't he will not only kill your sonbut some other innocent inmate as well. You don't have any doubt that hemeans what he says. What should you do?3.Sophie's Choice, not in Grassian.In the novel Sophie's Choice, by William Styron (Vintage Books, 1976 --the 1982 movie starred Meryl Streep & Kevin Kline), a Polish woman, SophieZawistowska, is arrested by the Nazis and sent to the Auschwitz death camp.On arrival, she is "honored" for not being a Jew by being allowed a choice:One of her children will be spared the gas chamber if she chooses whichone. In an agony of indecision, as both children are being taken away,she suddenly does choose. They can take her daughter, who is younger andsmaller. Sophie hopes that her older and stronger son will be better ableto survive, but she loses track of him and never does learn of his fate.Did she do the right thing? Years later, haunted by the guilt of havingchosen between her children, Sophie commits suicide. Should she have feltguilty?4.The Fat Man and the Impending Doom, with parts cut out in the 2nd edition; theyseem to have gotten removed to avoid unintentionally humorous overtones.A fat man leading a group of people out of a cave on a coast is stuck inthe mouth of that cave. In a short time high tide will be upon them, andunless he is unstuck, they will all be drowned except the fat man, whosehead is out of the cave. [But, fortunately, or unfortunately, someone haswith him a stick of dynamite.] There seems no way to get the fat man loosewithout using [that] dynamite which will inevitably kill him; but if theydo not use it everyone will drown. What should they do?Since the fat man is said to be "leading" the group, he is responsible for their predicament and reasonably should volunteer to be blown up. The dilemma becomes more acute if we substitute a pregnant woman for the fat man. She would have been urged by the others to go first out of the cave.5.The Costly Underwater Tunnel, compare: 112 men were killed during theconstruction of Hoover Dam on the Nevada-Arizona border (the "official" number was 98, but others had died from causes more difficult to identify -- or easier to ignore -- like by carbon monoxide poisoning): The first to die was a surveyor, J.G. Tierney, who drowned on December 20, 1922, and the last was his son, Patrick Tierney, who drowned on December 20, 1935 -- 13 years to the day after his father.The working conditions in the summer down in the canyon involved temperatures hitting highs of 119o, with lows of no less than 95o(familiar numbers to those who have visited the cities of Needles, Blythe, or Yuma in the summer).In 1931, about the time that Hoover Dam, a federal project (with private contractors -- the whole project was "stimulus" spending conceived by Hoover to alleviate the Depression), was begun, the Empire State Building, a private project, was completed. Although the rule of thumb had been that one man would die for every story built in a skyscraper, which would have meant 120 dead for the Empire State Building, in fact only 5 men died in the whole project. Bycomparison, in the earlier (1908-1913) building of the Los Angeles Aqueduct by William Mulholland (d.1935), it was also the case that only 5 men died (though when Mulholland's St. Francis Dam, in Francisquito Canyon, collapsed in 1928, it killed over 500 people). The Golden Gate Bridge cost 14 lives (or 11 -- the rule of thumb there was one life for each $1,000,000 of the project, with the bridge costing $35,000.000 -- workers who fell and were caught by nets joined the "Half-Way to Hell Club"). The Alaska oil pipeline, built in the 1970's, cost 31 lives. The Tunnel under the English Channel, built in the early 1990's, cost 11 lives. When the Gateway Arch in St. Louis was being planned, the prediction was that 15 workers would die, but none did. Similarly, though much earlier (1927-1941), no one died during the carving of Mt. Rushmore (though workers may have died later from the effects of breathing dust from the carved rock -- this used to be a serious problem for miners, before they began flushing drill points with water, and in fact Gutzon Borglum provided breathing masks for the Mt. Rushmore workers).Even with such progress over time, the John Hancock Building in Chicago (1970) cost 109 lives, or, indeed, about one per floor, as predicted for the Empire State Building -- perhaps the infamous wind of Chicago made for more hazardous conditions. While it is usually ordinary workers who suffer in construction accidents, it isn't always, as was the case with the Brooklyn Bridge, whose designer, John Augustus Roebling, died from the effects of a ferry accident in 1869 while surveying the site. His son, Washington Roebling, suffered such a severe case of the bends, working in a pressurized caisson in 1872, that he supervised the rest of the construction crippled in bed, sending instructions through his wife, until the bridge was completed in 1883. Overall, 27 died on the Brooklyn Bridge, 3 from the bends (though, as with Hoover Dam, this may not count them all). It was many years before it was known what to do about this condition. Workers were still suffering from the bends when the Holland Tunnel was built in the 1920's. The chief engineer of the tunnel, Clifford Milburn Holland, died suddenly in 1924, aged 41, of "exhaustion." The tunnel, opened in 1927, was then named after him.The first tunnel under the Hudson was begun in 1874. Construction was abandoned in 1891 because of deaths (one blowout alone in 1880 killed 20 workers), restarted in 1903 by Alexander J. Cassatt of the Pennsylvania Railroad, and not completed until 1908. All such bridges and tunnels eliminate the need for ferry boats. Even in recent years, ferry sinkings and accidents are common, and they still sometimes result in the deaths of hundreds of people at a time. Even New York's famous Staten Island Ferry (started by Cornelius Vanderbilt) is not immune. On October 15, 2003, the pilot on one of the Ferry's ships passed out (he was diabetic), and it crashed into a pier at Staten Island. Eleven people were killed and 71 were injured, some with severed limbs. I had just ridden the Ferry that summer, and I noticed that many people stand right on the edge ofthe vessel as it approaches the dock. That was not a place to be in the accident. The captain of the ferry, who was not at his required station, in the pilot house, at the time of the accident, subsequentlycommitted suicide.with this ferry, in fact with the very same ship.On May 8, the ferry crashed into the dock onStaten Island, as in 2003. This time, however,the problem (so far) looks like a mechanicalrather than a human failure. 40 people weretaken to the hospital, fortunately with mostlyminor injuries.In 1954 a typhoon sank 5 ferries in the TsugaruStrait between the Japanese islands of Honshuand Hokkaido, killing 1430 people. A tunnel wasbegun in 1964 to eliminate the ferries,although it took 25 years to complete. The ideafor the tunnel under the Hudson may have beeninspired by the St. Gotthard Tunnel inSwitzerland, which was begun in 1872. It wasonly a mile under the Hudson, while the St.Gotthard would be 9.25 miles long. Nevertheless,the St. Gotthard tunnel was finished in tenyears, though at a cost of 310 lives.In the table we see the rate of fatalities onAmerican railroads over time. The 230,000deaths between 1890 and 1917 averages out toabout 8500 per year -- for instance in 1897there were 6500 deaths, 1700 of them railroadworkers, but most of the rest from people beinghit on the tracks. This seems excessive andappalling, but we might compare it with recenttraffic fatalities for automobiles, which havebeen above 40,000 per year for every year sincesince 1962, except for 1992. Between 1966 and1974, deaths were actually above 50,000 a year. This constant absolute rate of fatalities nevertheless reflects improvement, since the population of the country has grown greatly during the period, and the vehicle miles travelled have increased from 805,000 in 1963 to 2,880,000 in 2003. So the rate of fatalities has fallen significantly. Meanwhile, railroad fatalities have become rare -- although the occasional wreck can be spectacular. Part of that is thecircumstance that the number of railroad employees has fallen from some 2 millionin 1920 to only 177,000 in 2004. A train that used to require a large crew (including multiple brakemen) now may only be driven by two (with one recent fatal wreck caused by the lonely engineer ignoring red lights because he was texting). Lest we think that in its time the railroads were unusually dangerous, of linemen working on the new electrical systems in the 1890's, no less than half of them were killed on the job.An underwater tunnel is being constructed despite an almost certain loss of several lives [actually, all but certain]. Presumably the expected loss is a calculated cost that society is prepared to pay for having the tunnel ["society" doesn't make any such calculation]. At a critical moment whena fitting must be lowered into place, a workman is trapped in a sectionof the partly laid tunnel. If it is lowered, it will surely crush the trapped workman to death. Yet, if it is not and a time consuming rescue of the workman is attempted, the tunnel will have to be abandoned and the whole project begun anew. Two workmen have already died in the project as a result of anticipated and unavoidable conditions in the building of the tunnel. What should be done? Was it a mistake to begin the tunnel in the first place? But don't we take such risks all the time?We can get some clarity about this example by asking what the police would do if they are informed that the work foreman has authorized the deliberate crushing of a worker. I suspect that he would immediately be arrested for murder.With these tunnels and bridges, the moral principle involved with the deaths is a simple one: because of the projects, fewer people die later. Thus, while workers know that the projects are dangerous, and they are willing to take the risk for better wages or pride in the projects, there is an absolute calculus of saved lives once the tunnels or the bridges replace the ferries. Contrariwise, deaths on something like a movie set do not seem balanced by any saved lives, which means that any deaths, such as those of Vic Morrow and others on the set of Twilight Zone, the Movie in 1982, seem intolerable and wrongful. Thus, when Brandon Lee, the son of Bruce Lee, was killed in a freak accident filming The Crow in 1993, permanent changes were made in the filming of action movies. Lee was killed by a metal fragment of a shattered bullet casing, which proved deadly even though the bullet was a blank. Now, it is prohibited for guns to be fired, even with blanks, in the direction of actors. The camera angle, of course, can make it look like the gun is directed at its target. Or, as is becoming more common, the firing of the gun can be inserted digitally.Other professions pose more of a moral challenge. One of the deadliest professions of all is simply commercial fishing. Dealing with heavy equipment, including chains, ropes, hooks, nets, booms, etc., on a wet heaving deck, in the dark, cold, ice, etc., is an obvious formula for injury, maiming, or death.Is this worth it just so people can eat fish? Well, the provison of food obviously saves lives by sustaining life in the first place, and many people think that fish is a healthier source of protein than something like red meat. The calculus in those terms is not obvious, since fishing is much, much more dangerous than raising cows. In those terms, whether it is worth it may need to be left to the fishermen themselves. As it happens, small fishermen, who run the most risk, now tend to be replaced with factory ships, which are safer for the crews. But the small fishermen don't like being put out of business, since they prefer their traditional way of life for personal and aesthetic reasons -- and they would probably need to leave their local towns to find work elsewhere. They may not appreciate the argument that the danger of their way of life discounts their enjoyment of its beauty, dignity, and challenge and makes the factory ships preferable.A similar problem occurs with logging. Lumberjacks also take pride in the beauty,majesty, and danger of their profession. But the on-the-job death rate is over 110 per 100,000 loggers per year -- thirty times the national average. If the wood is used for housing, and housing saves lives by sustaining health from the elements, then we can calculate that the cost is worth it. But other materials are available for housing, and not all the wood from logging is used for that purpose. So if logging is very dangerous, which it is, this makes the proposition even more dubious than with fishing. It may come down to the other uses of wood, which are many, and which may be more essential to modern life, which as such preserve and extend lives beyond what was the case when wood was more essential for housing and energy than it is now. The need, as with fishing, should be reflected in prices, and so also in the wages for the skilled labor involved -- with the complication that the use, misuse, overuse, or underuse of National Forests becomes a political issue, and a football for rent seekers, that obscures what the real costs of the resource are. The loggers, like the fishermen, may need to make their own call about the value of what they do -- and they also may make (glamorized) money off the "reality" shows about their work.6.Jean Valjean's Conscience, with some comments; see the 1998 movie, LesMiserables, with Liam Neeson, Uma Thurman, and Geoffrey Rush.In Victor Hugo's Les Miserables, the hero, Jean Valjean, is an ex-convict,living illegally under an assumed name and wanted for a robbery hecommitted many years ago. [Actually, no -- he is only wanted for breakingparole.] Although he will be returned to the galleys -- probably [in fact,actually] for life -- if he is caught, he is a good man who does not deserveto be punished. He has established himself in a town, becoming mayor anda public benefactor. One day, Jean learns that another man, a vagabond,has been arrested for a minor crime and identified as Jean Valjean. Jeanis first tempted to remain quiet, reasoning to himself that since he hadnothing to do with the false identification of this hapless vagabond, hehas no obligation to save him. Perhaps this man's false identification,Jean reflects, is "an act of Providence meant to save me." Upon reflection,however, Jean judges such reasoning "monstrous and hypocritical." He nowfeels certain that it is his duty to reveal his identity, regardless ofthe disastrous personal consequences. His resolve is disturbed, however,as he reflects on the irreparable harm his return to the galleys will meanto so many people who depend upon him for their livelihood -- especiallytroubling in the case of a helpless woman and her small child to whom hefeels a special obligation. He now reproaches himself for being tooselfish, for thinking only of his own conscience and not of others. Theright thing to do, he now claims to himself, is to remain quiet, to continuemaking money and using it to help others. The vagabond, he comforts himself,is not a worthy person, anyway. Still unconvinced and tormented by theneed to decide, Jean goes to the trial and confesses. Did he do the rightthing?7. A Callous PasserbyRoger Smith, a quite competent swimmer, is out for a leisurely stroll.During the course of his walk he passes by a deserted pier from which ateenage boy who apparently cannot swim has fallen into the water. The boyis screaming for help. Smith recognizes that there is absolutely no dangerto himself if he jumps in to save the boy; he could easily succeed if hetried. Nevertheless, he chooses to ignore the boy's cries. The water iscold and he is afraid of catching a cold -- he doesn't want to get hisgood clothes wet either. "Why should I inconvenience myself for this kid,"Smith says to himself, and passes on. Does Smith have a moral obligationto save the boy? If so, should he have a legal obligation ["Good Samaritan"laws] as well?8.The Last Episode of Seinfeld, not in Grassian.The cast of Seinfeld, Jerry, Elaine, George, and Kramer, have a layoverin a small New England town. They witness a robbery in broad daylight.The robber has his hand in his pocket, and the victim shouts that the manhas a gun. As soon as the robber runs away, a policeman appears on thescene; but instead of pursuing the robber, he arrests Jerry, Elaine,George, and Kramer for having violated the new "Good Samaritan" law ofthe town. Since the four of them spent the time of the robbery making funof the victim, who was fat, their role in the matter doesn't look good,and at their trial everyone who has ever felt wronged by them in the courseof the television series testifies against them. They are convicted. Isthis just? What were they supposed to do during the robbery? Should theyhave rushed the robber, just in case he didn't really have a gun?9. A Poisonous Cup of Coffee, with Jane and Debbie added for the sake of genderequality.Tom[/Jane], hating his[/her] wife[/husband] and wanting her[/him] dead,puts poison in her[/his] coffee, thereby killing her[/him]. Joe[/Debbie]also hates his[/her] wife[/husband] and would like her[/him] dead. Oneday, Joe's[/Debbie's] wife[/husband] accidentally puts poison inher[/his] coffee, thinking it's cream. Joe[/Debbie] has the antidote, buthe[/she] does not give it to her[/him]. Knowing that he[/she] is the onlyone who can save her[/him], he[/she] lets her[/him] die. IsJoe's[/Debbie's] failure to act as bad as Tom's[/Jane's] action?10.The Torture of the Mad Bomber. cf. the use of torture in Clint Eastwood's movie,Dirty Harry(1971), somewhat comically in Sin City(2005), and then in extended, serious, and graffic fashion, conducted by Denzel Washington, in Man on Fire (2004). In 2009, there is also Liam Neeson, Qui-gon Jinn of Star Wars, who uses torture to rescue his kidnapped daughter in Taken-- he even shoots the "innocent wife" of his former French spy friend to get information from him. Definitelya different kind of Jedi. After 9/11/01, we have the case of terrorist suspectswho may know of planned operations that could cost the lives of thousands. The otherwise four-square civil libertarian and Harvard Law Professor AlanDershowitz actually suggested legalized torture to deal with such people. This early complacency about torture seems to have been followed mostly by objections that some kind of torture was used by U.S. forces in Iraq and by U.S. allies (Egypt, Pakistan, etc.). Indeed, there is a saying, that if you want information from someone, send them to Jordan, if you want them hurt, send them to Syria, and if you want them killed, send them to Egypt.A madman who has threatened to explode several bombs in crowded areas hasbeen apprehended. Unfortunately, he has already planted the bombs and theyare scheduled to go off in a short time. It is possible that hundreds ofpeople may die. The authorities cannot make him divulge the location ofthe bombs by conventional methods. He refuses to say anything and requestsa lawyer to protect his fifth amendment right against self-incrimination.In exasperation, some high level official suggests torture. This wouldbe illegal, of course, but the official thinks that it is neverthelessthe right thing to do in this desperate situation. Do you agree? If youdo, would it also be morally justifiable to torture the mad bomber'sinnocent wife if that is the only way to make him talk? Why?In the judicial system of Imperial China, torture was technically illegal but tolerated because no one could be convicted without a confession. Torture could then be used with these provisions: (1) Questioning could only be done in open court. Since torture would then be administered in public, the public should agree, from the evidence, that the suspect is probably guilty. If it appearedthat an innocent person was being tortured, a riot might result. The Judge, who was also the Magistrate of his administrative District, would be heldresponsible for the civil disturbance. (2) Punishment would be mitigated in proportion to any suffering inflicted by torture. And, most importantly, (3) if it turned out that an innocent person was convicted, the punishment hesuffered could be imposed on the Judge. This was called , "reversed judgment." I think that this is a fine legal principle -- where with us misbehavior by judges, prosecutors, or police is generally not liable to criminal sanction. A person not even under oath lying to a federal agent is guilty of a crime, but prosecutors can lie in court and the police can lie to suspects with impunity. The Chinese legal system is discussed and illustrated by the Dutch diplomat and scholar Robert van Gulik in his Judge Dee books.11.The Principle of Psychiatric Confidentiality, cf. the 1997 movie, Devil'sAdvocate, and the 1993 movie, The Firm, on confidentiality between lawyers and clients.You are a psychiatrist and your patient has just confided to you that heintends to kill a woman. You're inclined to dismiss the threat as idle,but you aren't sure. Should you report the threat to the police and thewoman or should you remain silent as the principle of confidentialitybetween psychiatrist and patient demands? Should there be a law thatcompels you to report such threats?12.The Partiality of FriendshipJim has the responsibility of filling a position in his firm. His friendPaul has applied and is qualified, but someone else seems even morequalified. Jim wants to give the job to Paul, but he feels guilty,believing that he ought to be impartial. That's the essence of morality,he initially tells himself. This belief is, however, rejected, as Jimresolves that friendship has a moral importance that permits, and perhapseven requires, partiality in some circumstances. So he gives the job toPaul. Was he right?13.The Value of a Promise, Compare with the role of David Cash in the murder ofSherrice Iverson by Jeremy Strohmeyer. Under Nevada law, Cash was not charged simply for concealing knowledge of Strohmeyer's crime. To be an accessory after the fact, he would have needed to have done something (a wrong of commission) to otherwise help Strohmeyer. Later, when he was admitted to the University of California, there was protest over his moral suitability.A friend confides to you that he has committed a particular crime and youpromise never to tell. Discovering that an innocent person has beenaccused of the crime, you plead with your friend to give himself up. Herefuses and reminds you of your promise. What should you do? In general,under what conditions should promises be broken?In October 1990, Jeffrey Cain was killed in a road rage shooting in Anchorage, Alaska. When George Kerr informed on the friends who had done the shooting, he said, "I usually wouldn't rat out my friends, but this is just so severe I got to do it." "Just so severe" is the issue. After their conviction, the friends arranged from prison, in a conspiracy including the pregnant sister of one defendant, to have a bomb sent to Kerr's house. Kerr wasn't home, and the bomb killed his father. All the conspirators, including the sister, were convicted of the murder.14.The Perjured President, not in Grassian. Note that the issue here, althoughthe politics is somewhat dated, is over the use of sexual harrassment laws. The support of the Paula Jones lawsuit by Catherine MacKinnon -- "When Paul Jones sued Bill Clinton, male dominance quaked" -- seemed merely to result in the marginalization of MacKinnon from elite opinion -- her earlier Stalinism and anhedonic political moralism had not been sufficient. Clinton continues to be treated as a serious political influence, appearing extensively in television promotions for California Proposition 87 in the 2006 election. That the proposition failed should cause some enthusiasts to reevaluate Clinton's influence.A long time Governor of a Southern State is elected President of the UnitedStates on a platform that includes strong support for laws against sexualharassment. After he is in office, it comes out that he may have used StateTroopers, on duty to protect him as Governor, to pick up women for him.One of the women named in the national press stories as having been broughtto the Governor for sex felt defamed because she had actually rebuffed hiscrude advances, even though he had said that he knew her boss -- she wasa State employee. She decides to clear her name by suing the now Presidentfor sexual harassment. The Supreme Court allows the suit to proceed againstthe sitting President. Because the sexual harassment laws have beenrecently expanded, with the President's agreement, to allow testimony aboutthe history of sexual conduct of the accused harasser, the President isquestioned under oath about rumors of an affair with a young White Houseintern. He strongly denies that any sexual relationship had ever taken place, and professes not to remember if he was even ever alone with the intern.Later, incontrovertible evidence is introduced -- the President's own semenon the intern's dress -- that establishes the existence of the rumoredsexual relationship. The President then finally admits only to an ambiguous"improper relationship." So the dilemma is: Is it hypocritical of the。
英语必修三道德困境作文
英语必修三道德困境作文1.Title: Moral Dilemmas in Modern SocietyIn today's complex world, moral dilemmas arise frequently, posing challenging questions about right and wrong. Consider the scenario where a person discovers a valuable item lost by another. Should they return it, despite the temptation to keep it? Or, imagine a situation where a friend asks for help with an unethical task. Do we assist, compromising our principles, or refuse, potentially damaging the relationship?These dilemmas highlight the delicate balance between personal interests and ethical obligations. We must weigh the consequences of our actions, considering not only the immediate benefits but also the long-term impact on our values and character. In the face of moral dilemmas, it's crucial to hold fast to our principles and make decisions that align with our conscience, even when it's difficult. By doing so, we uphold the integrity of our moral compass and contribute to a more ethical society.2.Title: Navigating Moral DilemmasIn the intricate maze of life, moral dilemmas often arise, testing our ethical compass. Imagine encountering a situation where adhering to the letter of the law conflicts with a deeper sense of justice. Or consider a moment when personal gain seems to outweigh the potential harm to others.In such instances, we are forced to navigate a treacherous path, balancing our desires against our principles. The choice is never easy, as it requires a careful examination of our values and an honest assessment of our motives. It is a test of character, pushing us to rise above selfishness and towards a higher standard of morality.As we grapple with these dilemmas, it is essential to remember that true integrity lies not in the ease of our decisions, but in the courage to stand by what we believe, even when it's inconvenient or unpopular. By choosing the path of moral clarity, we not only honor our own conscience but also contribute to a more just and compassionate world.3.Title: Moral Dilemmas: Navigating the Murky Waters of Right and WrongIn the vast ocean of morality, we often encounter dilemmas that test our resolve and force us to choose between competing principles. These aren't simple decisions, but rather complex webs of considerations where one choice seems slightly more ethical than the other.Consider a situation where you must decide between protecting a friend's secret, even if it hurts another, or revealing the truth, potentially damaging a friendship. In such moments, the lines between right and wrong become blurred, and we are left to navigate the murky waters ofmorality with only our conscience as a guide.As we compare the potential outcomes of each choice, weighing the pros and cons, we must remember that morality is not a competition of who can make the "best" decision, but a quest to find the most ethical course of action. It's not about finding the least unethical choice, but about striving for the most virtuous one.In the end, the true test of our character lies not in the ease of our decisions, but in our willingness to embrace the harder, more ethical path, even when it's less convenient or more challenging. By doing so, we not only uphold our own moral standards, but we also contribute to a society that values integrity and ethical behavior above all else.。
关于道德困境的英语作文要点
关于道德困境的英语作文要点Moral dilemmas are situations where individuals are faced with a choice between two or more actions, each of which has significant moral implications. These dilemmas can arise in various contexts, such as personal, professional, or societal, and they often challenge our values, beliefs, and ethical decision-making processes. Navigating through moral dilemmas can be a complex and challenging task, as there may not always be a clear-cut right or wrong answer.One of the key aspects of moral dilemmas is the conflict between different moral principles or values. For instance, a situation may arise where upholding the principle of honesty could lead to harming someone, while being dishonest could prevent that harm. In such cases, individuals must weigh the relative importance of these competing values and determine which one should take precedence.Another factor that contributes to the complexity of moral dilemmas is the context in which they occur. The same ethical issue may be perceived and addressed differently depending on the cultural, social,or institutional norms that govern a particular situation. What might be considered morally acceptable in one setting could be viewed as unacceptable in another, making it challenging to establish universal ethical guidelines.Moreover, moral dilemmas often involve the consideration of consequences, both immediate and long-term. An action that seems morally justified in the short term may have unintended negative consequences in the future, or vice versa. Individuals must carefully analyze the potential outcomes of their decisions and try to anticipate the ripple effects that their actions may have.One common example of a moral dilemma is the issue of euthanasia. In this case, the conflict arises between the principle of preserving life and the desire to alleviate suffering. Supporters of euthanasia argue that individuals should have the autonomy to choose to end their own lives if they are experiencing unbearable pain or terminal illness. Opponents, on the other hand, believe that euthanasia is a violation of the sanctity of life and that healthcare professionals have a moral obligation to preserve life at all costs.Another example of a moral dilemma is the case of whistle-blowing. An employee may be faced with the decision to report unethical or illegal practices within their organization, knowing that doing so could lead to personal consequences, such as retaliation or job loss.However, the employee may also feel a moral obligation to expose the wrongdoing and protect the interests of the public or their colleagues.In such situations, individuals must carefully weigh the potential consequences of their actions and determine which course of action aligns most closely with their personal values and ethical principles. This process can be further complicated by the emotional and psychological factors that come into play, as individuals may experience feelings of guilt, fear, or uncertainty about the "right" decision.Addressing moral dilemmas often requires a multifaceted approach that involves critical thinking, empathy, and a willingness to engage in open and honest dialogue. It is important to consider multiple perspectives, gather relevant information, and engage in self-reflection to better understand one's own biases and values.Additionally, the development of ethical decision-making frameworks can be helpful in navigating moral dilemmas. These frameworks may incorporate principles such as utilitarianism (maximizing overall well-being), deontology (adherence to moral rules and duties), or virtue ethics (focusing on the character and moral virtues of the individual).Ultimately, resolving moral dilemmas is not a straightforward process, and there may not always be a clear-cut solution. However, by approaching these challenges with a thoughtful and nuanced perspective, individuals can strive to make decisions that align with their moral compass and have the best possible outcomes for all stakeholders involved.In conclusion, moral dilemmas are complex and multifaceted challenges that require careful consideration of competing values, contextual factors, and potential consequences. By developing a deeper understanding of ethical decision-making and cultivating the skills to navigate moral dilemmas, individuals can become more effective in addressing the ethical challenges they face in their personal, professional, and societal lives.。
高中英语作文关于道德困境
高中英语作文关于道德困境Title: Navigating Ethical Dilemmas in High School。
Ethical dilemmas are an inevitable part of life, often presenting themselves unexpectedly and challenging our moral compass. In high school, where individuals are still in the process of forming their values and beliefs, these dilemmas can be particularly perplexing. Let's delve into this complex topic and explore how students can navigate ethical dilemmas effectively.First and foremost, it's crucial to understand what constitutes an ethical dilemma. An ethical dilemma arises when individuals are faced with a decision that involves conflicting moral principles, making it difficult to determine the right course of action. In high school, such dilemmas can manifest in various forms, ranging from academic integrity issues to interpersonal conflicts and societal injustices.One common ethical dilemma that students encounter is the temptation to cheat or plagiarize to achieve academic success. In today's competitive educational environment, the pressure to excel can be overwhelming, leading some students to resort to dishonest means. However, succumbing to this temptation not only undermines one's integrity but also erodes the trust within the academic community. Therefore, it is imperative for students to uphold honesty and academic integrity, even in the face of adversity.Another prevalent ethical dilemma in high school revolves around peer pressure and moral courage. Adolescence is a time of peer influence, where individuals may feel compelled to conform to societal norms or group expectations, even if they conflict with their own values. For instance, students may find themselves torn between standing up against bullying or remaining silent to avoid social ostracism. In such situations, it requires immense courage to do what is right, even if it means going against the crowd.Furthermore, high school students may encounter ethicaldilemmas related to social justice and equality. Issues such as discrimination, prejudice, and privilege are prevalent in society and may manifest within the school environment as well. Students may be confronted with decisions regarding whether to speak out against injustice or maintain the status quo. It is essential for students to recognize their responsibility in promoting fairness and equity and to advocate for positive change within their communities.Navigating ethical dilemmas in high school requires a combination of critical thinking, moral reasoning, and empathy. Students must carefully consider the consequences of their actions, both for themselves and others, andstrive to uphold ethical principles even in challenging circumstances. Additionally, seeking guidance from trusted adults, such as teachers or counselors, can provide valuable perspective and support in navigating difficult decisions.In conclusion, ethical dilemmas are an intrinsic part of the high school experience, testing students' moralcharacter and integrity. By fostering a strong ethical foundation and cultivating moral courage, students can navigate these dilemmas with integrity and resilience. Ultimately, it is through facing and overcoming ethical challenges that individuals grow and develop into principled members of society.。
A Moral Dilemma
A Moral DilemmaHaving been educated to be a very moral person for several years, I thought I had become successful at what my teachers and my parents ask me to do. However, the other day an old woman made me realize that I should deeply remember and obey the moral principles and try my best to improve myself.It was a fine day. Several gleams of sunshine made the blue sky more beautiful and cheered me up. Being in good mood, I quickly ran to my friend’s home to play with her. Suddenly, a paper in the corner caught my eyes and made me stopped. It was one hundred yuan, which could be thought as a lot of money for a child. I went to there and picked it up as fast as I can. “I will hand it to my parents and let them find its owner.” I thought. However, when the beautiful and cute doll that my parents were unwilling to buy for me came to my mind, I hesitated and wanted to possess the money to buy the doll.The moment I hesitated, an old woman attracted my attention. She wore a shabby clothes and she was asking something from others one by one. As far as I’m concerned, she must be the owner of the money. “What should I do?” I asked myself. After a while, she came towards me. My face become very red and the hand seized the money in my pocket was shaking. “Dear child, have you ever seen some money in this street?” I felt nervous and stammered: “Uh, I , I haven’t.”“Oh, it doesn’t matter, whatever, thank you!” Then she went away ,but my face became redder and my head became lower and lower.I walked slowly to my friend’s home. Even though I should be happy when I saw my her, I was still in bad mood. “Whether I should return the money to the kind and pitiable woman .I can find her now if I try. However ,how about my doll?” The opposite thoughts came to my mind again and again. Fortunately, I saw a familiar picture in the wall of my friend’s house. The person in the picture did many good things and my parents always told me to learn from him.I ran from my friend’s house quickly. My friend chased after me and said loudly: “What’s wrong with you? Why do you run so fast?” I glanced back and smiled to her: “I am doing something that will make me contented and happy.”After I went back to the street ,I saw the old woman at once, who was sitting on the stairs with depressed expression. As my head lowered ,I slowly walked towards her and apologized to her in low voice. To my surprise, the old woman didn’t scold me after my explaining the situation and returning her money back. On the contrary, she smiled to me and said to me: “You are still a good child if you are willing to change your faults.” So moved was I that I decided to try my best to obey all moral principles. It is because of the old woman that makes me understand the importance of obeying the moral principles. I will obey these all the time.。
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You are an emergency worker that has just been called to the scene of an accident. When you arrive you see that the car belongs to your wife. Fearing the worst you rush over to see.She is trapped in her car with another man. She sees you and although barely conscious, she manages to mouth the words “I’m sorry”… You don’t understand, but her look answers you question. The man next to her is her lover . But your wife is seriously hurt and she needs attention straight away. Even if she 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 bleeding heavily from a wound to the neck and you need to stem the flow of blood immediately. It will only take about 5 minutes to stop, but it will mean your wife will definitely die. If you tend to your wife however, the man will bleed to death.
Moral dilemma
You
are an inmate in a concentration camp. A sadistic guard is about to hang your son who tried to escape ,and wants you to pull the chair from underneath him. He says that if you don’t ,he will not only kill your son but some other innocent inmate as well. You don’t have any doubt what he means. What should you do?
A pregnant woman leading a group of people out of a cave .A coast is stuck in the mouth of that cave. In a short time ,high tide will be upon them. And unless she is unstuck, they will all be drowned except the woman whose head is out of the cave. Fortunately, (or unfortunately,) someone has a stick of dynamite. There seems no way to get the pregnant woman loose without using the dynamite which will inevitably kill her; but if they do not use it everyone will drown. What should they do?