What Do I Do? What Do I Say?

Real Life Ethics.

• As a discussion leader of a group, you notice a student with whom you have had an unresolved conflict during the past year.  You have strong feelings and reactions to seeing this individual.
  • The principle most applicable to this situation is principle number 7. This principle states that one must “continue to deal appropriate(ly) when working with persons for whom you feel some aversion.” Personally, I would be as professional as possible in this situation. I would hide and mask my feelings and continue with my designated tasks. If, at the end, I still feel bothered by the situation, I would ask that individual if we could talk about this conflict in private. In this situation, I believe that principle 5 also comes into play. Principle 5 states that one must “show respect and dignity for other individuals.” Even though I have a conflict with this individual, it does not constitute my right to show him/her any less respect than anyone else who is in the room. If, our conflict can not be resolved after privately meeting, I would nonetheless continue to treat this person in a civil, respectable, and professional way.

• You are interacting with a person who has a political or moral viewpoint that differs from yours. You find this viewpoint reprehensible, although it could be understood as acceptable based upon this student’s culture and value system. You want to argue a different point of view.
  • The principle most applicable to this situation is principle number 5: one must “show respect and dignity for other individuals.” I feel that this type of situation occurs quite often due to the fact that every person is different, causing everyone to have different ideals and political standings. One must learn to hear what people have to say and not become instantly aggravated when what they hear is not in line with their views. Everyone has the right to express what they believe. One must learn to retain their emotions and not argue with individuals. Here is where I believe principle 6 comes into play; one must “understand [their] own personal bias and avoid imposing this bias on others.” We all have our own way of thinking. It is not right of us to tell people that their beliefs are wrong, for what is right depends on the eyes of the beholder. When it comes down to it, people have to learn to respect others and their beliefs, regardless to whether they agree with them to not.