freedom to make one’s own decisions
Goals
To critically assess …
- How the scenarios relate to captivity, autonomy, eminent domain, and opportunism
- The merits of each of the four options or courses of action
- Which rules of duty and utility are most relevant to the scenario
- Which option is best suit to the identified rules of duty or utility
- A personal response to the scenario and ones own rules of action
Pigeon Prison
Olivia loves all animals,
but especially the birds.
They loft with life and beauty,
with grace beyond mere words.
Her cousin’s cruel to pigeons kept,
though mostly nice to her.
He breeds the birds for shadow sport.
For racing, as it were.
One day in his unplanned absence,
she finds the cages’ key.
A chance to lock the birds inside,
or else to set them free.
To liberate these avians,
she could accept the blame.
Or say they flew back to nature,
from which the pigeons came.
Suppose Olivia must choose:
- free the birds and take responsibility for it
- train the pigeons to unlock their own coops
- free the birds; blame it on a strong wind
- report her cousin to the humane society
What would Keri & Milo advise? What would you do?
Gyro’s Spell
Gyro has a magic spell
that lasts for half an hour.
It turns him all invisible,
and that’s his secret power.
During this time of freedom,
he does whatever he wants.
Doing as he pleases,
with kindness or with taunts.
When visible he’s kindly,
proper and polite.
But need not follow any rules
when vanished from our sight.
“Rules are for the visible,”
he justifies his acts.
“If I am not accountable,
are there still rules in fact?”
Suppose Gyro must choose:
- give the spell to everyone
- only use the spell to help others
- use the spell as you please, for virtue or for vice
- destroy the spell; never use it again
What would Keri & Milo advise? What would you do?
Farm Sale
The old homestead was handed-down
and kept in good repair.
The farm was source of livelihood
and tended with great care.
But when war came into the land,
the troops had to move fast.
They sought to build a road right through
to move supplies on past.
The government demanded that
the farmers sell and go.
Forced from their land they could not tell
who was their friend or foe.
Once made a road, the farm will cease
and end a style of life.
A battle won could cost freedom,
if what it leaves is strife.
Suppose the government must choose:
- offer a fair value, use the farm for the war effort
- leave the farm and build a road around it
- this is wartime; take the farm, no compensation
- build the road and give it to the farmers after the war
What would Keri & Milo advise? What would you do?
Ocean Across
Anne Teak retired Tuesday,
and longed to volunteer.
Something maybe out-of-doors,
too long was she cashier.
By Monday next, a part-time job,
take it—yes she would.
A crossing-guard, fresh air, sunshine,
and in her neighbourhood.
Her daughter won a lottery,
six weeks vacation cruise.
Join me mom, we can bond.
I hope you won’t refuse.
Ask a friend to cover you.
Say you broke a leg.
Plenty of jobs when we return.
Please mom, don’t make me beg.
Suppose Anne must choose:
- start packing without a second thought
- report to work because it is her duty
- ask a friend to take over for a while
- fake an injury that will take six weeks to heal