Today’s class focused entirely on our group task — researching and presenting different ethical theories. What seemed like a simple 30-minute activity turned into a deep and engaging discussion about how humans decide what is right and wrong.
Each group was assigned a theory: Moral Reasoning, Moral Relativism, Self-Interest Theory, Deontology, Utilitarianism, and Rule Utilitarianism. Our task was to understand the definition, give examples, and identify the issues or limitations of each theory.
As we began discussing, it became clear that morality is not as black and white as we often assume.
The group working on Moral Reasoning explained how people make ethical decisions at different stages — some based on fear of punishment, others based on social approval, and some based on universal principles like justice and equality. It made us reflect on our own level of thinking.
The Moral Relativism group highlighted how morality can differ across cultures. What is considered acceptable in one society may be questioned in another. While this promotes cultural understanding, it also raised an important concern: if everything is relative, how do we stand against injustice?
The Self-Interest Theory group argued that people naturally act to benefit themselves. This theory felt realistic, but also uncomfortable. If everyone acted purely out of self-interest, would society still function fairly?
The Deontology group introduced Kant’s idea that actions should follow moral rules regardless of consequences. This approach values duty and principles. However, we also discussed how rigid rules can sometimes ignore real-life complexities.
The Utilitarianism group explained the idea of “the greatest happiness for the greatest number.” This seemed practical and outcome-focused, but we questioned whether it could justify harming a minority for the majority’s benefit.
Finally, the Rule Utilitarianism group presented a balanced approach — following rules that generally produce the greatest good. It appeared more stable than judging actions one by one, yet it still depends on predicting outcomes.
What stood out most during the presentations was that no theory is perfect. Each offers a different lens to view moral situations. Some focus on rules, some on consequences, some on culture, and some on personal benefit.
This group task made me realize that ethics is not about memorizing definitions. It is about understanding perspectives and questioning assumptions. Listening to different groups helped me see how the same situation can be analyzed in completely different ways depending on the theory applied.
Today’s activity was not just academic. It encouraged us to think deeper about our own values and decision-making processes. In just 30 minutes of collaboration and discussion, we explored ideas that philosophers have debated for centuries.
And perhaps that was the real takeaway — morality is complex, and learning to examine it thoughtfully is an important step toward becoming more aware and responsible individuals.