Ethical Dilemmas in the News
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Posted by Suzanne Pitner Apr 17, 2009 |
April 17, 2009
Ethical Dilemmas in the News
Should public flogging of women in Pakistan be allowed?
Of course not, you may protest. Public flogging would be an insult to human rights.
We also believe in the rights of everyone to worship as they see fit.
However, Islamic practice says that a woman may not leave her home without a male relative escort, preferably a husband or father. So, in the case of a public flogging of a woman who violates this Islamic precept, what is our ethical position?
The Moral of the Story, a column in the New York Times by Randy Cohen, presents an ethical dilemma such as this one that appears in the news each week. This column, titled The Limits of Tolerance, appeared on April 14, 2009. It’s very thought provoking, especially when you read through the comments by readers. It illuminates a vast gray wilderness in the midst of ethics debates.
If you are a teacher, Mr. Cohen offered an ethics lesson plan through the New York Times Teacher Connection that goes along with other current news stories. Designed for students in grades 6-12, he also shares a modified plan fit for 3rd through 5th grade students. It’s in a print-friendly, PDF format. It’s a fabulous way to combine teaching ethics with learning how to analyze the news in the classroom.
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