What is one way philosophers suggest we can figure out if something is right or wrong?
AAsk the most popular person what they think
BThink about whether it helps or hurts people
CDo whatever is easiest
DFlip a coin
One major approach to ethics is thinking about consequences -- whether an action helps or hurts the people involved. This is one of several tools philosophers use for moral reasoning.
Question 2 True / False
If something feels right to you, it is always the right thing to do.
TTrue
FFalse
Answer: False
Feelings are an important starting point, but they can be influenced by habit, selfishness, or limited information. Good moral thinking involves checking your feelings against reasons and considering how your actions affect others.
Question 3 Multiple Choice
You find a wallet with money in it on the playground. Nobody is around. What kind of thinking would help you decide what to do?
AThink only about what you want
BThink about how the owner would feel, what a rule about honesty would say, and what a good person would do
CThink about whether you would get caught
DDo not think at all -- just act on instinct
Good moral thinking considers multiple angles: the consequences for others (the owner's feelings), principles (honesty), and character (what kind of person you want to be). Thinking only about getting caught is self-interest, not moral reasoning.
Question 4 True / False
There is always one perfectly right answer to every moral question.
TTrue
FFalse
Answer: False
Many moral situations involve genuine trade-offs and difficult choices where more than one option has good reasons behind it. Recognizing this complexity is a sign of mature moral thinking.
Question 5 Short Answer
Describe a situation where it is hard to decide what the right thing to do is. What makes it hard?
Think about your answer, then reveal below.
Model answer: A good answer describes a real dilemma where two values conflict. For example: 'If a friend did something wrong and an adult asks you what happened, it is hard because you want to be honest but you also want to be loyal to your friend. Both honesty and loyalty are good things, but in this situation they pull you in different directions.'
A strong answer identifies a genuine conflict between two good values and explains why the tension makes the decision difficult, rather than presenting a situation with an obvious right answer.