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Ethics, values and virtues. Moral dilemmas From Ancient Rome to our times. What is a moral dilemma.
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Ethics, values and virtues Moral dilemmas From Ancient Rome to our times
What is a moral dilemma • “A moral or ethical dilemma is a conflict of moral principles, occurring when a person faces certain situations where adhering to one particular principle might result in the violation of the other”. • No matter what you do , you would do something wrong. • A moral dilemma is when you have to choose to do one of two equally unpleasant things. • Moral Dilemmas have existed from early times, and they could happen every day of our daily life.
The Romans and Moral dilemma • Julius Cesar- Brutus moral dilemma: JC was the leader and became very powerful: “dictator for life” of Rome. Nobody liked him anymore, they wanted him dead. • Brutus, one of his closest friends, a noble man with great reputation. • Senate conspire against Cesar : Somebody needed to “save "Rome. • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OjMuuk0W5Q
Brutus solved dilemma • Brutus. What means this shouting? I do fear, the people choose Caesar for their king. • Brutus. I would not, Cassius, yet I love him well. • If it be aught toward the general good, • Set honor in one eye and death i' the' other, • And I will look on both indifferently; • For let the gods so speed me, as I love • The name of honor more than I fear death. (78-89)”
Dilemmas of the present times • The trolley dilemma : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WB3Q5EF4Sg • Your friend stole the math test. You know she did not study because she went to a party. You study like crazy. Test was extremely difficult. You got a 2, your best friend who stole the test got an 8. Teachers find out someone stole the test and will give a reward of adding 4 points to your grade if you tell who stole the test. What would you do?
Two choices • Would you tell on your best friend and get a better grade? • Why yes ? • Why not? • Decision, what you value less, what you value more, value • Would you not tell on your best friend and stay with a bad grade? • Why yes? • Why not? • Decision, what you value less, what you value more, value
Conclusions • No right or wrong answers • Main issue is what we value more. • We have to value the consequences. • Our ethics, values and virtues comes from many sources: parents, religion, teachers, friends, heroes, sports figures, movie stars and so on • I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul. (From Invictus by William ErnestHenley.1849-1903