Eco Ethics

Posted: 01-Jan-2000; Updated: 28-Dec-2006

OBJECTIVES: This activity is designed to give students the opportunity to examine their own values and beliefs as they relate to the environment. It is not the intention of this activity to prescribe "right" and "wrong" answers for the students. In some cases, students may perceive what would be the most ethical solution to a given problem, while admitting that they realistically might not choose that option. For each Dilemma Card, the action choices are proceeded by "would you" rather than "should you." This will encourage students to state what they probably would do in each given situation. It might be useful to compare students' reactions to each dilemma before and after going through the student readings and lessons.

MATERIALS NEEDED: Copies of "dilemma cards." You may print out the Eco Ethics Dilemma Cards .pdf file and cut out the cards to give to your students. If you don't have a printer, copy the text onto your own cards.

PROCEDURE:

1. Copy and cut out the Dilemma Cards. Students could also be involved in the process of creating the Dilemma Cards with each student reponsible for writing one dilemma.

2. Divide the class into groups of four, and give each group a complete stack of dilemma cards. Place them face down at the center of the group.

3. The first student draws a card from the top of the stack. The student studies the situation, decides what he or she would do, and formulates his or her reasons.

4. When the student is ready ? typically in less than two minutes ? the student reads the situation and the options aloud to the rest of the group. The student gives the decision he or she has chosen, and briefly describes the reasoning involved. In turn, each of the other members of the group is invited to comment on the dilemma, and what he or she would do in the situation. The discussion of each dilemma by the members of the group should take about five minutes. The person whose dilemma is being discussed should have the opportunity to ask questions of the other members of the group, and to offer clarification of his or her decision. It is not necessary and may not be desirable for the students to reach consensus; there are legitimately diverse views on the most appropriate and responsible actions to take in many situations.

5. The card is then returned to the bottom of the stack and the next student selects a card from the top of the stack. Continue this process until each student has had the opportunity to express his or her decision and rationale about a dilemma.

DISCUSSION: Have each student choose a dilemma and write a short paragraph on the positive and negative effects of all the options listed for that dilemma. They should indicate what, if any, additional information is needed in order to make a responsible and informed decision. Students should identify what seems, in their judgment, to be the most responsible decision, and explain their reasoning.