Reflection on Ethics | Teachy Summary
The ethical adventure of Sofia and her friends
Once upon a time, in a school full of curious first-year high school students, Sofia and her three best friends: Lucas, Ana, and Pedro. They were known for always being involved in heated debates about everything from sports to the latest technology trends. Sofia was the charismatic leader of the group, always ready for a new intellectual challenge. Lucas, the calmest, liked to observe and ask deep questions. Ana, the technology enthusiast, was always with her smartphone in hand, while Pedro, the group's philosopher, was an avid reader who loved to dissect complex theories. But that day, Philosophy teacher Helena had prepared a special lesson that promised to be even more fascinating.
As they entered the classroom, Helena greeted them with a smile and an intriguing challenge: 'Today, you will be explorers of ethics. We have here three ancient sages who need our help.' She was talking about Aristotle, Kant, and Mill, the philosophical heroes of the past. 'You will join them in solving modern ethical dilemmas, and for that, we will use the technology that you love so much.' The students' eyes sparkled with anticipation. The room filled with animated murmurs as students quickly formed groups, eager to start the mission.
Divided into groups, the mission of each team was to choose a current ethical dilemma and apply the philosophical theories of these giants to resolve the issue. Sofia and her friends chose to work on the impact of social media on privacy. They decided to create a fictional profile on Instagram for a digital influencer named 'EcoHero' who faced a dilemma involving the use of personal data from his followers. The idea came from an experience Ana had recently, where she discovered how much personal information was being shared without her consent. Sofia's team worked hard, using images, videos, and texts to tell a story where 'EcoHero's' decisions were guided by the ethical principles of Aristotle, Kant, and Mill.
Each post on 'EcoHero's' Instagram detailed a part of the dilemma. The first photo showed 'EcoHero' worried about the information he was sharing and how it affected his followers. It was a colorful image of 'EcoHero' in front of a laptop, biting his lip in concern. Lucas explained that, according to Aristotle, virtue would lie in finding the middle ground between sharing too much information and being excessively reserved. They then posted a quote from Aristotle about the importance of moderation, accompanied by an illustration that Ana drew. It was a vibrant artwork, highlighting balance as a delicately balanced scale between two Greek columns.
In the next video, Ana personified 'EcoHero' debating with himself about data privacy. The video started with a close-up of Ana's worried expression, followed by a wide shot showing her staring intently at a long list of data. Pedro brought Kant's theory of duty and morality into the discussion. In the video, 'EcoHero' said, 'We must treat others' personal information as an end, not just a means to our own gain,' echoing Kant's teachings. They added dynamic subtitles to highlight key ethical points and animated the screen with illustrative graphics of Kantian concepts.
Finally, the last post was a text where 'EcoHero' made his final decision, influenced by Mill's utilitarian principles, weighing the consequences of his actions to maximize the well-being of his followers. They created a sequence of comic strips where 'EcoHero' pondered the different options, showing the pros and cons of each choice. 'EcoHero's' final decision was to be transparent about how they used the data and to ask for the followers' consent, considering that this would be the most ethical way to act. The story was complemented by inspiring quotes from Mill, which Pedro found particularly powerful and motivating.
After finishing their posts, each group shared their Instagram profiles, and the class plunged into an animated discussion about the dilemmas presented. The classroom transformed into a true debating arena, with students raising questions and proposing counterarguments. Helena skillfully guided the discussion, encouraging students to think critically and argue clearly. Then, the students moved on to the 360° feedback stage, where they praised and suggested improvements to each other. The atmosphere was one of camaraderie and cooperation, with everyone learning from each other, further strengthening collective learning.
By the end of the class, Sofia felt as if she had embarked on a true ethical journey, where digital tools transformed learning into a living and meaningful experience. She and her friends were immersed in an adventure that not only consolidated what they learned about ethics but also showed how these principles could be applied in the real world. The story of Sofia and her friends was not just a classroom activity; it was a timely and engaging exercise that brought philosophical principles into a modern context in a practical and impactful way. As they walked down the hallway, already debating what the next big dilemma they would solve would be, Sofia knew that day would be marked not only in her notebook but also in her way of viewing the world.
