Ethical Behavior
Jack's Problem
Read the following conversation between Jack and Olivia where Jack describes a problem he's been dealing with.
Jack
Hey Jack! What's going on?
Hey Olivia! I need your advice on something.
Sure, what's up?
So, my friend Mike cheated on the math test, and the teacher thinks I did too because we sit next to each other. Should I tell the teacher the truth?
Wow, that's tough. But if you tell, Mike could get in serious trouble. Are you sure you want to do that to a friend?
I know, but if I don't, I might get blamed, and it's not fair to me. Plus, isn't honesty important?
True, honesty is important, but so is loyalty to your friends. Maybe you can talk to Mike first and see if he'll come clean on his own.
I thought about that, but what if he doesn’t? I don't want to get punished for something I didn't do.
I get your point, but friendships can be fragile. Would you want to risk losing Mike as a friend over this?
I don't want to lose him as a friend, but I also don't want to lie. It's a really difficult position to be in.
Yeah, it's definitely a tough call. Maybe there's a way to support Mike without lying.
Possibly. I guess I need to think this through a bit more.
Discussion
Share your thoughts with the rest of the class.
Ethical behavior
Jack's problem is such a difficult one because it is related to ethical principals. Read the following infobox to find out more about ethical behavior.
Ethical behavior
Ethical behavior is a term you might hear a lot, especially in your ethics class. But what does it really mean, and why is it important?
The word "ethical" comes from the Greek word "ethos", which means character or customs. So, ethical behavior is all about doing the right thing and having good character. It means making choices that are fair, honest, and respectful to others.
When we talk about ethical behavior, we often ask some important questions. For example, "Is it fair?" "Is it honest?" "Will it hurt anyone?" These questions help us think about whether our actions are right or wrong.
Why is ethical behavior important? Imagine a world where people lie, cheat, or treat others unfairly. It wouldn’t be a very nice place to live, would it? Ethical behavior helps us build trust and respect with others. It makes our communities better and more pleasant places to be.
So, the next time you face a choice, remember to think about what is ethical. Ask yourself those important questions and try to do what is right. By practicing ethical behavior, you can help make the world a better place for everyone.
Work in pairs
Together with your neighbor, look at the conversation from the chat again and think about what Jack will decide to do in the end and how he will justify his decision.
Then practice the conversation so that you can present it to the class. You don't need to memorize the conversation word for word; the important thing is that it is clear who is taking which position.
Afterward, present your conversation with Jack's decision at the end.
Additional information for teachers
Here you can find a sample solution for the last task.
Jack: Hey Olivia! Can I ask for your advice on something?
Olivia: Of course, what's going on?
Jack: My friend Mike cheated on the math test, and now the teacher thinks I did too because we sit next to each other. Should I tell the teacher what really happened?
Olivia: That's a tough situation. If you tell the truth, Mike could get into a lot of trouble. Are you sure you want to put your friend in that position?
Jack: I know, but if I don't say anything, I might get blamed for something I didn't do. Plus, honesty is important, right?
Olivia: Honesty is definitely important, but so is being loyal to your friends. Maybe you could talk to Mike first and see if he'll admit what he did.
Jack: I thought about that, but what if he refuses? I don't want to get punished for something I didn't do.
Olivia: I understand, but you have to consider how this could affect your friendship with Mike. Is it worth the risk of losing him as a friend?
Jack: I don't want to lose him as a friend, but I also don't want to lie about what happened. It's a really difficult situation.
Olivia: It really is. Maybe there's a way to support Mike without lying.
Jack: That's a good point. Maybe I can talk to Mike and explain how serious this is for both of us. If he understands the consequences, he might decide to come clean himself.
Olivia: That sounds like a good plan. It shows you're being honest but also giving Mike a chance to do the right thing.
Jack: Yeah, I'll talk to Mike and see if he’ll admit what he did. If he understands the impact, hopefully, he'll make the right choice.
Olivia: I think that's a solid approach. Good luck, Jack. Let me know how it goes.
Jack: Thanks, Olivia. I appreciate your help. I'll let you know what happens.
This worksheet is primarily intended for students in grades 5 and 6. Analyze a situation with an ethical dilemma with your students. They will learn what ethical behavior means and independently come up with potential solutions for a dilemma.
