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Lesson 10

We will prepare for the Section Diagnostic by using the ethical approaches we’ve studied to explore some thought experiments that represent ethical dilemmas.

Lesson Goals

  • Can I express an accurate understanding of the central ideas of texts related to ethics?

  • Can I pay attention to others, acknowledge them, and thoughtfully consider their ideas?

  • Can I apply an understanding of ethical approaches to ethical dilemmas using the framework for ethical decision making?

Texts

Core

  • Unit Reader
    • “A Framework for Ethical Decision Making,” Markkula Center for Applied Ethics, Santa Clara University, 2015

Materials

Tools

Reference Guides

Question Sets

Editable Google Docs

Activity 1: Read – Discuss

We will prepare for the Section Diagnostic by reading the putting the approaches together and making decisions sections of “A Framework For Ethical Decision Making.”

Read and annotate the remainder of "A Framework for Ethical Decision Making" and discuss the following questions with a partner:

  1. What is the problem or challenge of applying an approach described in the framework?

  2. Why is the framework for making decisions important to making ethical decisions?

Be prepared to share your responses with the whole class.

Activity 2: Discuss

We will use the framework for ethical decision making and our learning about ethical approaches to form claims about how these various decision-making approaches determine a course of action when faced with an ethical dilemma—and why.

Read the Section 1 Diagnostic Checklist.

In a group, discuss one of the following ethical dilemmas:

  • Should Batman kill the Joker?

  • Should I intervene if I witness a crime?

  • How should self-driving cars make determinations where a loss of human life is probable?

In your discussion groups, make sure that you all agree on what the dilemma is, why it is an ethical dilemma, and then, using your Ethical Approach Note-Taking Tool, Attending to Details Tools, your Learning Log, and your VideoNote-Taking Tool, explore how each ethical approach would address the dilemma.

Share your answers to these questions with the class.

Activity 3: Discuss – Read

For homework, we will identify key words and writing techniques that we plan to use in our response to the Section Diagnostic.

For homework, review the Section 1 Diagnostic Checklist. Identify a significant word or words from your Vocabulary Journal that you would like to use in your response to the Section Diagnostic.

Review your Mentor Sentence Journal. Select at least one technique that you plan to use when writing your response to the Section Diagnostic.