PREVIEW ACTIVITY Fluentize, LLC. Copyright 2023. For use only with license.

How To Face Ethical Dilemmas (C1)

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PART 1 Discuss the questions below about decisions.

QUANTITY OF DECISIONS QUALITY OF DECISIONS

How many decisions do you What do you think constitutes a

think people make each day high-quality decision? What is one
on average? Give a range. high-quality decision you’ve made?

PART 2 Discuss the questions below about ethics.

1 What is ethics? How is it connected to decision making?

2 What can influence or shape our ethics? What has shaped yours?

Write the noun form for each adjective below. Then try to define each one. Use a
PART 3
dictionary/translator if necessary. How do you think these terms relate to ethics?

1 loyal 4 compassionate
2 just 5 beneficent
3 diligent 6 trustworthy

PART 4 Read the example ethical dilemma below out loud. Then discuss the questions.

Your friend has been suffering from severe anxiety and panic attacks. They ask
you for some of your medication, but it’s addictive and can only be obtained with
a doctor’s prescription. Your friend cannot afford to see a doctor. You give them a
small amount, which gives them great relief. They continue to ask you for more
whenever they have subsequent panic attacks. You’re torn. Do you continue to
provide the medication, or draw a line in the sand and refuse to give it to them?

1 What would you do in this situation? Why?

2 Which ethical values and/or principles are at play in this dilemma?
3 What’s another example of an ethical dilemma?
HOW TO FACE ETHICAL DILEMMAS Fluentize, LLC. Copyright 2023. For use only with license.
How To Face Ethical Dilemmas (C1)
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PREVIEW DISCUSSION

When you face an ethical dilemma, what could/

should you do to help you decide what to do?

VIEWING ACTIVITY

PART 1 How is ethics defined? How similar was your definition in Preview, Part 2?

0:27

Watch the video until 2:08 and pause. How would you decide in this ethical
PART 2
dilemma? Explain your decision.

What’s the difference between values and principles? What are some examples of
PART 3
each in the case of Lee? (2:08 - 3:20)

VALUES PRINCIPLES

PART 4 Discuss/Write short answers below according to the video. (3:20 - end)

3:21 1 What should we do to orient our judgment in ethical dilemmas?

3:43 2 What should you think about in the case of Lee?

VIEWING FOLLOW-UP Fluentize, LLC. Copyright 2023. For use only with license.
How To Face Ethical Dilemmas (C1)
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PART 1 Discuss the questions below.

1 How valuable do you find the insight from the video regarding ethics and
ethical dilemmas? Explain your answer.

2 Can you think of any times you’ve faced an ethical dilemma? What did you do
in the situation and why?

Read the quotes below out loud. What do you think each idiomatic expression in
PART 2
bold means?

1
“ You’re torn. Sharing information about Lee’s depression might help him be
treated with more empathy and compassion. But it would be a breach of trust.
And if Lee found out, who knows what might happen?”

2
“ When it comes to ethics, we don’t just need to know what’s good; we need to
know what’s right. This is where principles come in. They help us draw a line
in the sand; they determine the acceptable ways of getting what we value.”

PART 3 Match each noun below to the idioms in the sentences. One noun isn’t used!

towel | evils | a blind eye | corners | nails | steam

1 Despite witnessing my coworker stealing office supplies, I turned

, fearing the consequences of reporting it to management.

2 I love my friend, but it feels like our friendship has become toxic. I’m
torn on whether to throw in the on our friendship or not.

3 I never cut when it comes to work. I like the feeling of doing

everything the proper way, even if it requires a lot of effort and diligence.

4 When feeling overwhelmed at work, it is crucial to find constructive outlets to

let off , such as engaging in physical exercise.

5 Despite the scandals behind both presidential candidates, I’ll choose the
lesser of two when I vote, so that I can exercise my voice.

Try to define each idiom above in your own words based on the context.
I’M TORN! » ETHICAL DILEMMAS Fluentize, LLC. Copyright 2023. For use only with license.
How To Face Ethical Dilemmas (C1)
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STEP 1: CHOOSE & DISCUSS A FEW ETHICAL DILEMMAS

• Work with a classmate/your teacher. Choose two of the ethical dilemmas below.
• Discuss what you’d each do in the dilemma and which ethical principles are at play.

1 CUTTING CORNERS

You’re an overwhelmed student preparing for an exam. However, this exam is

not as crucial as other exams for your core studies. As the exam approaches,
you find the exam answers through leaked materials. You’re torn. Do you cut corners by
taking the answers, or study for it, but sacrifice preparation for the more important exams?

2 TURNING A BLIND EYE

You’re a manager in a manufacturing company. One day, you discover that a

company department has dumped toxic waste into a river in order to cut costs.
Several employees, who are also your friends, are involved. You’re torn. Do you turn a
blind eye, or take a stand, but jeopardize the jobs of the employees and your friendships?

3 CHOOSING THE LESSER OF TWO EVILS

You’re deciding on a presidential candidate. Candidate A promotes policies that

undermine human rights. Candidate B has a history of corruption and abuse of
power. As a responsible voter, you value democratic participation. Yet, no candidate aligns
with your values. You’re torn. Do you not vote at all, or choose the lesser of two evils?

4 LETTING OFF STEAM

You’ve been working hard on a career-defining project with a looming deadline.

You’re very stressed. One evening, a colleague who believes you deserve a break
invites you out to a social event. The event promises a chance to network and unwind.
You’re torn. Do you attend the event to let off some steam, or prioritize your project?

STEP 2: PITCH & DISCUSS YOUR OWN ETHICAL DILEMMAS

• Come up your own ethical dilemma and pitch it to a classmate/your teacher.

• Compare what you each would do in the dilemmas.
QUIZ & REVIEW ACTIVITY Fluentize, LLC. Copyright 2023. For use only with license.
How To Face Ethical Dilemmas (C1)
PAGE 5

PART 1 Answer each question below according to the information in the video.

1 How is ethics defined?

2 Summarize/Paraphrase the ethical dilemma pitched in the video.
3 How do values and principles play a part in ethical dilemmas?
4 What advice is given in the video on how to approach ethical dilemmas?

PART 2 Write the idiomatic expression from the video that fits each sentence below.

1 . Sharing information about Lee’s depression might

help him be treated with more empathy and compassion. But it would be a
breach of trust. And if Lee found out, who knows what might happen?

2 We don’t just need to know what’s good; we need to know what’s right. This is
where principles come in. They help us ; they
determine the acceptable ways of getting what we value.

PART 3 Write the idiomatic expression you studied that fits each sentence below.

1 When feeling overwhelmed at work, it is crucial to find constructive outlets to

, such as engaging in physical exercise.

2 I never when it comes to work. I prefer doing

everything the proper way, even if it requires a lot of effort and diligence.

3 Despite the scandals behind both presidential candidates, I’ll

when I vote, so that I can exercise my voice.

4 Despite witnessing my coworker stealing office supplies, I

, fearing the consequences of reporting it to
management.

LESSON REFLECTION:

Discuss the topics below about the lesson.

1 Did you learn or use any new vocabulary or phrases in this lesson? If so, what?
2 Did you learn anything new about ethics or ethical dilemmas? If so, explain.
3 What did you enjoy about the lesson?
4 Is there anything you found difficult about the lesson?