Practice analyzing moral dilemmas by identifying choices, consequences, values, and reasons for different points of view.
Read each dilemma carefully. Explain your reasoning in complete sentences. There may be more than one thoughtful answer.
Thinking carefully about choices, consequences, and values
Philosophy - Grade 6-8
- 1
A runaway trolley is heading toward five workers on the track. You are standing next to a switch that can move the trolley to another track, where one worker is standing. Would you pull the switch? Explain your choice.
- 2
In the trolley problem, what are the main consequences of pulling the switch and not pulling the switch?
- 3
A student finds a lost wallet with money and a student ID inside. No one is watching. What should the student do, and why?
- 4
Explain the difference between judging an action by its consequences and judging an action by whether it follows a rule.
- 5
A friend asks you to lie and say they were with you after school, but you know they were somewhere they were not allowed to be. What should you do? Explain your reasoning.
- 6
In a group project, one student did almost no work but wants the same grade as everyone else. What would be a fair way to handle this situation?
- 7
A doctor has one dose of medicine. It can save one very sick patient or be split into smaller doses that may help three less sick patients. What values should the doctor consider before deciding?
- 8
Look at this claim: It is always wrong to break a promise. Do you agree or disagree? Give an example to support your view.
- 9
A town has enough rescue boats for only some people during a flood. Leaders must decide who gets rescued first. Name two fair ways they could make the decision and explain one strength of each way.
- 10
Choose one dilemma from this worksheet and identify the conflict between two values. For example, a conflict might be honesty versus loyalty or saving more lives versus not directly causing harm.