Critical Thinking Day 7

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.

what’s right and what’s wrong!

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.

Critical thinking day 7 ETA

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.

Ethical Dilemmas

Day 7- Casually started with a few scenarios that were easy to arrange according to our ethics clear black-and-white decisions. But then came DILEMMAS, bringing in emotional and complex situations, more like grey areas I had never considered or maybe never wanted to. Being in situations where critical thinking is required, especially when the consequences affect us, our loved ones, or the public, ultimately depends on our individual conditioning. I believe personal values or moral standards are never align with universal ethics.

Demonstrating duty ethics, moral reasoning, and rule utilitarianism sharpens your skills and contributes to shaping your conditioning.

Critical Thinking: Day 7

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.

Ethical Dilemma

Ethical Dilemma occur when we have to decide between two opposing moral principles. Learning them is about using moral reasoning through models such as deontology (duty-based ethics), utilitarianism (consequence-based ethics), and virtue ethics (character-based ethics). Deontology (Kant) suggests following moral rules regardless of consequences, while Utilitarianism (Bentham, Mill) prioritizes overall happiness.

Recently, I encountered a small but meaningful ethical challenge with my 3-year-old son. He wanted to take an extra toy from a friend’s house, believing it was fine since his friend had many. This moment became an opportunity to apply virtue ethics—teaching him honesty and fairness rather than just enforcing rules. Instead of simply saying “no,” I guided him to understand the importance of respecting others’ belongings. This experience reinforced that ethical learning starts early, shaping character through real-life situations.

Ethical dilemmas rarely have clear answers and require empathy, wisdom, and moral reasoning. They test our principles, refine judgment, and shape our values. Morality is often a spectrum of carefully weighed decisions defining who we are. It is at the end our decision of what choices we make.

Reflection on D7 – Ethical Dilemmas

Today’s life class was an insightful exploration of ethical dilemmas and moral decision-making. We began by analyzing different scenarios and ranking them based on our personal morals and ethics. This activity helped us understand how individual values shape our decisions and how they can sometimes differ from others’ perspectives.

Following this, we discussed the idea that moral values are not equal to universal ethics. This discussion made me reflect on whether there are absolute right and wrong actions or if ethics depend on cultural and personal beliefs.

The article we read about a ritual practiced in another country deepened this discussion. It challenged us to think critically about how cultural practices can be viewed differently depending on one’s background, and whether something that seems right to one group might be wrong to another.

Next, we researched various ethical theories such as moral realism, moral relativism, self-esteem, deontology, and others. Each theory provided a different perspective on how ethics, duties, and self-interest influence decision-making. I found deontology particularly interesting as it focuses on following rules and duties rather than just considering the outcomes of actions.

Finally, we applied these theories to new ethical dilemmas, making decisions based on our understanding of morality. This activity reinforced the idea that ethical decision-making is complex and often requires balancing multiple perspectives. Overall, today’s class helped me gain a deeper understanding of ethics and how they shape our everyday choices.

Critical Thinking 2024

Roots of Faith: Exploring Nature, God, and Human Belief

Growing up in a Brahmin religious family, I was naturally introduced to a traditional belief system and was engaged in basic rituals like visiting temples and observing customs. Over time, however, my perspective evolved. While I respect these traditions, now I feel a deeper resonance with the natural world, viewing nature itself as the truest form of god.

I often find myself questioning: if nature is the true god, then who are Krishna, Ram, Hanuman, and all the other deities I grew up praying? I wonder about the role they play in my beliefs now and how they fit into my understanding of divinity as rooted in the natural world.

I believe that nature is our true form of god. The elements fire, water, air, and earth are sacred forces that shape our lives, providing all we need to thrive and grow. They remind us the connection with the universe. As people see God as a creator, protector, and destroyer, I believe these natural elements are fulfilling these roles. They create life, sustain and nourish it, and also bring it to an end when the time is right.

Day 5-CT- ETA- Balancing Faith Without Fear: Reflections on Religion and Humanity

Day 5 of our life class brought up the always-complicated terrain of our views on God and religion. This isn’t a topic that can be addressed lightly, and I found myself somewhere in the middle: not particularly devout in a traditional religious sense, yet far from a skeptic or outright non-believer. It’s a nuanced space where questions, experiences, and even contradictions coexist.

What resonated deeply with me during our discussions was the idea that while logic and evidence shape many of our beliefs, there is also room for the inexplicable. A balance between needing rational proof and remaining open to the experiences that defy it seems, to me, to be the most genuine way to approach spirituality. We live in a world of rules, frameworks, and customs, often inherited through family traditions, and while I respect them as meaningful connections to my past, I don’t believe religion should be rooted in fear or coercion. Forcing beliefs only creates divides and suffering.

I also find it deeply unsettling when religion intersects with politics in ways that divide, manipulate, and harm. For the sake of humanity, these connections must be consciously unmade. At its core, spirituality should bring people together and foster compassion. When wielded as a tool of power or prejudice, we lose the essence of what it can offer.

Day 5 offered much to reflect on, and I left with a stronger sense of what my middle path entails: embracing tradition without losing sight of reason, keeping the door open to experiences that cannot always be explained, and rejecting any form of belief that aims to create fear or division.

1 2 3