3
Problems as mentioned above are called ethical dilemmas. Ethical dilemmas are
situations in which you have to choose between two (or more) values. All values
have their advantages and disadvantages. So, in this kind of situations you have to
balance the pros and cons. You also will see that you cannot do justice to both
values and therefore you have to weigh up which value is the most important.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYEzFH7HItA: dilemmas (1:50).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5czp9S4u26M:dilemma and Kohlberg stages of
moral development (2:59).
Kohlberg categorizes three levels of moral development:
- Level 1. Preconventional morality
At this stage people see rules as fixed and absolute. Obeying the rules is
important because it is a means to avoid punishment.
- Level 2. Conventional morality
At this stage people focus on maintaining law and order by following the rules.
Doing this means doing one’s duty and respecting authority. Obeying the rules
is important because you are seen as being nice.
- Level 3. Postconventional morality
At this stage people acknowledge the importance of laws and rules, but in
certain circumstances they account for their own ethical principles of justice
even if they conflict laws and rules.
Q: Give an example of a dilemma and give three answers how to deal with this
dilemma. One answer has to be on level 1, one on level 3 and one on level 3
of Kohlberg’s stages of moral development.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsyvWrQUXIs: Slab City (6:29)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35ziVMZnaeY: Slab City (2:55)
Section 3: Golden rule
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Pn0wplZmLs: golden rule (1:59).
Golden rule means that you treat people the way you want to be treated. The Golden
rule is universal. This means it is world-wide seen as a good rule. Look at the
following examples:
Judaism What you hate you cannot do that to others
Christianity Do unto others as you do unto yourself
Islam You are not a believer unless you wish your fellow human being what
you wish yourself
Buddhism Do not hurt others with that which pains yourself
Three steps to handle the golden rule:
- I point of view: what would you like or dislike in this situation?
- You point of view: what do you think the other would like or dislike in this
situation?
- Weigh up both points of view and take a decision.
Chapter 3, Right and wrong _ BC Broekhin, Margot Maassen