Ask what moral dilemma means or for an example. If no one knows, give examples yourself, e.g.
Your friend has bought a new jacket. He loves it and asks what you think. You know the jacket is awful, but if you tell him, he will be hurt if you say you like it, you will be lying, and people might laugh at him when he wears it.
Another friend is very clever but hates exams. She gets very scared and can not think. In one exam you see her looking at another student’s work. You know that the other student is very stupid. What should you do? If you tell her to stop, you might be seen speaking and be kicked out of the exam yourself. If you do not tell her to stop, she will copy the wrong answers and perhaps fail. Should you tell the teacher that she is cheating? Cheating is wrong, but you know she should pass the exam.
It is difficult to do anything right in moral dilemmas
Ask what students would do in these two examples and why.
Ask them if they can remember a moral dilemma they or their friends have been in.
Main Activity
Tell students they are going to look at more moral dilemmas. Put them in pairs and them to look at the text below.
A
your friend borrowed your expensive car for Friday evening- now Sunday
you need it for work tomorrow – traveling salesperson, the car looks good to customers
lent friend car because you want to borrow some money – no sales recently, so money problems
friend has money – spending thousands on big wedding next week
you have some really good news-old friend contacted you; have not seen them for twenty years; going on a trip together next weekend for your 60th birthday
want to tell your son/daughter the good news – make them feel better; been acting strangely for weeks
you think there is something they are not telling you maybe they have got problem or in serious trouble
really want to see your old friend – will stop you thinking about son/daughter
Tell your son/daughter your news.
your best friend has a secret problem and told you about it
you promised not to tell anyone
you were sending your best friend an email about the problem-accidentally sent it to their ex-boyfriend/ girlfriend
your best friend hates their ex- does not know you still keep in touch
do not want to admit what you have done
best friend knows some really secret things about you that you do not want anyone to know
Your best friend is going to ask you what has happened.
you have been discussing starting a recycling business with your friend
both thought about leaving your jobs
not a good idea really – no details in the plan
no money in recycling – too much hard work
been offered a big promotion next year – lots of money; accepted it yesterday
Your friend is going to tell you some news.
B
you borrowed friend’s expensive car Friday evening-crashed it
can not pay for the damage because you have already borrowed money from the bank for your big wedding next week
a friend has no money-friend keeps asking to borrow money; you keep saying no, because friend would not pay you back
do not know how friend can afford expensive car
Your friend is going to ask you for the car.
you are arranging surprise party for mum/dad’s 60th birthday next weekend
a neighbour says mum/dad’s thinking of going away next weekend
need to stop her/him
can not tell her/him about party – would ruin it for everybody who has worked hard to arrange it and keep it secret
maybe mum/dad would prefer to go away, but if you tell mum/dad about party, she/he will feel bad and come even if she/he does not want to
Your mum/dad is going to tell you some news.
you told your best friend about a secret problem of yours
you told nobody else
now everyone knows your secret
your best friend would never tell because you know some very big secrets about them too- how would they feel if you told?
you think your ex-boyfriend/girlfriend is spreading the gossip, but your best friend never speaks to them
you think your ex is spying on you – you know they hate you
Ask your best friend if they told anyone and say what you think.
you and your friend have worked out an idea for a new business
friend has some brilliant ideas for recycling rubbish
make lots of money and save the environment
left your job this afternoon
boss was really angry – had a huge argument because they had just promoted you; told them to drop dead
your friend will be really excited
Tell your friend the good news.
Explain there are four situations. They must imagine they are in the situation.
Tell them to read the situation and ask about anything they do not understand. Explain any problems and ask everyone to be ready to start the conversation. Tell them to imagine this is a real situation. They should think about how they would feel in this situation and act that way. Try to agree on an answer to the problems in the situation
Ask if anyone found an answer.
Repeat steps 2 and 3 for the other situations.
Ask which was the most difficult situation and why.
Ask good pairs to repeat their best performances for the class.
Follow up
Ask students to watch this video of another moral dilemma below:
Each pair of students works together to think of a new dilemma involving two people like those you looked at, and make notes.
A student from each pair joins a student from a different pair.
They explain their dilemmas and give each other advice about what people should do. Make notes on the advice they receive.
They go back to their first partner and compare the advice they were given.