Tag: #criticalthinking

In this session we understood about ethical dilemmas that people may face. Here there were some statements given to us and we were to arrange them in order as per our choices. The statements were about personal and national level choices. This challenged us to think critically as to what choices we make or would make if we were in a situation. The session also covered about the concept of ‘Trolley problem’. Here the situation stated was that a train had only 2 choices – whether to go over 5 people on one side, or change its direction and go over one person on the other side. We came to the conclusion that it should go over the one person on the other side. However, when the situation was tweaked, it mentioned that there is a single track with five people tied to it, and we had an option to push one person off the bridge which would cause the train to stop, but the person wouldn’t survive. We felt it wouldn’t be the right thing to do as it would mean directly being involved in the demise of that person.

Next, we read about a case study about a tradition being followed in the southern regions of Malawi. The case study was discussed in detail and was followed up with learning of various concepts such as – Moral Reasoning, Moral Relativism, Self-Interest theory, Deontology (Duty ethics – Kant’s Approach), Utilitarianism, Rule Utilitarianism. Each of the concept was deeply discussed along with examples and side effects. Lastly we were tasked with some choices under some scenarios. These scenarios were again related to personal, professional and national choices. The challenge here was that for a few scenarios it became a bit tricky as there was an argument between our emotional thinking and moral duties. Yet when it came to we were to do if there was a national threat some were clear with the choices that were in front of us.

This session helped us understand that it’s necessary to take into perspective all the angles of a situation before making a decision in some of the cases. However, there might still be some situations where we may act based on our emotions and self interests and that is okay as it might affect us directly.

Ethics is at the heart of every decision we make. Whether we realize it or not, we are constantly going through a world of moral dilemmas, some are small, others can be big. But how do we decide what is right and wrong? 

Is morality universal, or does it shift based on circumstances? 

 Moral reasoning, the process of evaluating right and wrong based on logic, emotions, and societal values. But morality isn’t always straightforward. Moral relativism is shaped by our cultural and personal context. what is considered ethical varies across cultures and contexts. What one society finds acceptable, another might find completely unjust. This led to a question: Can morality ever be absolute, or is it always shaped by personal and cultural perspectives?

Self-interest theory, people act in ways that benefit themselves, sometimes at the expense of others. The person’s personal growth and well being is focused. So, are humans selfish, or we are just trying to prioritise ourselves? 

Deontology, introduced by Kant, teaches that morality is about following absolute rules, regardless of the outcome. This approach clashes with utilitarianism, which focuses on maximizing happiness for the greatest number. But then, what happens when an action that benefits many also harms a few?

Through various scenarios, testing these theories against real-world situations.
Would you tell a lie to protect someone?

Would you sacrifice one life to save many?

These are not easy questions, and there are no perfect answers. But that’s the beauty of ethical inquiry, it forces us to think, to question, and to see beyond ourselves.

In the end, ethics is not about finding a single truth. It is about understanding perspectives, challenging assumptions, and embracing the complexity of human morality.

Life is full of difficult decisions, from telling a small lie to protect someone’s feelings to balancing profit and environmental impact. Ethical theories help us navigate these dilemmas. Moral relativism suggests that right and wrong depend on cultural beliefs, while self-interest theory argues that people act in ways that benefit themselves, though not always selfishly. Deontology, championed by Kant, insists on strict rule-following, whereas utilitarianism focuses on maximizing happiness for the majority. Rule utilitarianism blends both, advocating rules that generally lead to the best outcomes. Understanding these theories enhances our critical thinking, helping us see different perspectives and make fair, informed decisions. Ethical dilemmas aren’t just challenges; they encourage personal growth and better judgment. By exploring these ideas, we become more thoughtful and responsible individuals, equipped to handle life’s toughest choices. What ethical dilemmas have you faced? Share your thoughts!

-Gurpreet singh.

Sometimes, we face situations where there’s no clear right or wrong answer. These are ethical dilemmas, and how we handle them says a lot about our values.

The Critical Thinking Class Day 7 was an insightful session full of discussions where the participants and the facilitators talked about the reasoning and justifications behind our belief in morality and our version of right and wrong. An individual’s ethical code of conduct and perspectives are a product of his/her upbringing, societal expectations, conditions, education, and the fear of consequences. However, everyone will refurbish their idea of right and wrong when emotions come into picture. The participants also delved into the philosophical theories on Ethics, their epistemological base, examples and their real life applications. The session was able to deliver its premise that moral and unconditional absolutes are not universal and subjective to change with every individual and the circumstances that they go through. We all face ethical dilemmas and developing critical thinking as a skill will help guide us towards the reasoning behind our ethical decision making.