Morals Are Beliefs About Which Things Are Right and Which Are Wrong

Morals are beliefs about which things are right and which are wrong. For example, a person might believe that hunting animals for their fur is always wrong.

Values are ideals that guide or qualify your personal conduct, interaction with others, and involvement in your career. Like morals, they

·  help you to distinguish what is right from what is wrong and

·  inform you on how you can conduct your life in a meaningful way.

Values can be classified into four categories:

·  Personal Values

·  Cultural Values

·  Social Values

·  Work Values

Personal Values

Personal values are principles that define you as an individual. Personal values, such as honesty, reliability, and trust, determine how you will face the world and relate with people.

Cultural Values

Cultural values, like the practice of your faith and customs, are principles that sustain connections with your cultural roots. They help you feel connected to a larger community of people with similar backgrounds.

Social Values

Social values are principles that indicate how you relate meaningfully to others in social situations, including those involving family, friends, and co-workers.

Work Values

Work values are principles that guide your behavior in professional contexts. They define how you work and how you relate to your co-workers, bosses, and clients. They also reveal your potential for advancement.

The following table provides examples of each type of values.

Values Sampler

Personal Values / Cultural Values / Social Values / Work Values
Caring / Celebration of Diversity / unselfishness / Autonomy
Courage / Ethnic roots / Diversity / Competitiveness
Creativity / Faith / Eco-consciousness / Conscientiousness
Friendliness / Linguistic ties / Equality / Dedication
Honesty / National ties / Fairness / Equanimity/Ethics
Honour / Regional ties / Family closeness / Loyalty
Independence / Tradition / Lovingness / Professionalism
Integrity / Morality / Punctuality
Spirituality / Reliability / Remunerative worth
Team player

Social issues are matters which directly or indirectly affect many or all members of a society and are considered to be problems, controversies related to moral values, or both.

Activity 1: Presenting a social issue

You will be presenting your stance on a specific social issue. A social is subject or theme that affects everyone in our community, but requires some thought since there are two sides.

For example;

“Universal (Free) Health Care – Should we continue this system in Canada?”

a.  In the chart below, give arguments for (pro) and against (con) of our Universal Health Care system in Canada. You may need to do a little research so that you may fully understand both sides of the argument.

Pro / Con

Once you’ve weighed the pros and cons of this social issue, what is your stance (what do you believe?) – Write a short paragraph to present to the class.

Activity 2: Your turn

Now that you’ve been given the chance to explore a specific social issue, you’ll have to chance to present your point on your own topic or theme.

Such topics or themes may include:

·  Animal rights

·  The environment

·  Healthy snacks only here in HRSB

·  More time for phys. Ed. In school (or any other subject)

·  The banning of certain pets

·  Mandatory military service for all High School Graduates

·  Same Sex Schools

·  Banning MSN or other Chat Servers

·  The Seal Hunt

These are but some of the issues you may chose from. If you decide to speak on a topic, other the ones mentioned about, you must get the “go ahead” from your teacher before beginning.

How you will be evaluated

I.  This will be an oral presentation, so you will need to:

·  Speak to your audience and not to your notes/paper/cue cards.

·  You will need to speak in a loud and clear voice.

·  Visuals are important for your presentation – You may give your speech while presenting images on a PowerPoint presentation or a slide show presentation (Your teacher will help you with advancing of your slides).

II.  Preparing your speech:

·  We will be going through the necessary “writing process” steps; which will include

a.  Your organizational chart.

b.  Your rough draft

c.  Peer editing

d.  Final product – I will not be evaluating a “good copy” however, I will be evaluating your organization charts/thought webs.

III.  Your speech/persuasive oral essay: Though I will not be evaluating your final draft, your presentation should contain the following:

·  An introduction – Properly formatted in the manner we’ve been practicing all year. Don’t forget your grabber sentence on your thesis (a fancy word for your opinion)

·  Organization – Your arguments/ideas/pros should follow one of two styles – strongest to weakest or weakest to strongest.

·  Conclusion – Reiterate/Reword your arguments. Remember, do not present any new bits of information which you have not fully explored in the body of your essay/discourse/speech.

Strength of your speech

+ Pictures

+ Rough draft and Thought web

+ Your presentation (clarity)

= Your final grade

Activity 3: Determining moral

Below, you’ll find 4 moral stories. Moral stories are told so that we can learn values to which to live by. With your group, read through each of the following moral stories and answer the questions that follow.

THE BOY WHO CRIED 'WOLF'
Once there lived a shepherd boy who had to look after a flock of sheep. One day, he felt bored and decided to play a trick on the villagers. He shouted," Help! Wolf! Wolf!"The villagers heard his cries and rushed out of the village to help the shepherd boy. When they reached him, they asked, “Where is the wolf?"The shepherd boy laughed loudly, "Ha, ha, ha! I fooled all of you. I was only playing a trick on you."A few days later, the shepherd boy played this trick again.
Again he cried," Help! Help! Wolf! Wolf!" Again, the villagers rushed up the hill to help him and again they found that boy had tricked them. They were very angry with him for being so naughty. Then, some time later, a wolf went into the field. The wolf attacked one sheep, and then another and another. The shepherd boy ran towards the village shouting," Help! Help! Wolf! Help!, somebody!"The villagers heard his cries but they laughed because they thought it was boy’s another trick. The Wolf killed many sheep and attacked the boy. He realized his fault but it was too late.
What do you think is the moral of this story?
If you were a villager, would you forgive the boy ?
4.The Lion and the Mouse
A Mouse running over his face awakened a Lion from sleep. Rising up angrily, he caught him and was about to kill him. Then the Mouse piteously entreated, saying:
"If you would only spare my life, I would be sure to repay your kindness." The Lion laughed at him but allowed him go. It happened shortly after this that some hunters, who bound him by strong ropes to the ground, caught the Lion. The Mouse, recognizing his roar, came and gnawed the rope with his teeth, and set him free, exclaiming:
"You ridiculed the idea of my ever being able to help you, never expecting to receive from me any repayment of your favor; Now you know that it is possible for even a Mouse to confer benefits on a Lion."
What do you think is the moral of this story?
Have you ever felt like a mouse that had something to offer a lion? If so, explain.
5. Two roosters
Two roosters lived in a village. They were close friends But one day they fought for supremacy in the farmyard. Finally one was vanquished and he went back to hen house. The victor flew up to the roof of the barn and begins to crow, “I’ve won, I’ve won!”
An eagle swooped down and carried him away. The rooster that had been defeated suddenly found himself unchallenged master of the farmyard.
What do you think is the moral of this story?
After reading this story, why do you think people tell you not to, “brag”?
6.Two Frogs
A group of frogs were traveling through the woods, and two of them fell into a deep pit. When the other frogs saw how deep the pit was, they told the two frogs that they were as good as dead. The two frogs ignored the comments and tried to jump up out of the pit with all their might. The other frogs kept telling them to stop, that they were as good as dead. Finally, one of the frogs took heed to what the other frogs were saying and gave up. He fell down and died.
The other frog continued to jump as hard as he could. Once again, the crowd of frogs yelled at him to stop the pain and just die. He jumped even harder and finally made it out. When he got out, the other frogs said, "Did you not hear us?" The frog explained to them that he was deaf. He thought they were encouraging him the entire time.
What do you think is the moral of this story?
Has encouragement ever helped you accomplish a goal?.... I’m sure you have…. Explain your story

Answers

THE BOY WHO CRIED 'WOLF' Moral: We may not believe someone who often tells lies, even when he tells the truth.

The Lion and the Mouse MORAL: It is possible for even a Mouse to award benefits on a Lion.

Two roosters MORAL: The enemy is often defeated by his own pride.

Two Frogs An encouraging word to someone who is down can lift them

I never saw a wild thing sorry for itself.
A small bird will drop frozen dead from a bough
Without ever having felt sorry for itself.

-- D.H. Lawrence

I have a set of crayons
That I purchased for my son.
They're called People Color Crayons,
With more choices than just one.
And when I look at these crayons
I can't help but imagine how
Our country would be so much better

With more choices than we havenow.
The term black, which is often used
Simply does not apply.
Instead I'd rather call myself fawn,
While I look you in the eye.
My husband who is told he's white
Can freely declare to you
That he's actually the color melon
Something not many people knew.
Our handsome and intelligent son
Could then stand up and boast
That he's proud his skin color looks
More like a slice of toast.
Now imagine our new way of thinking
Extended well beyond us three
To every man, woman and child
How liberating that would be.
Some might say they're peach or maize
Others sable, spice or taupe.
With so many colors we quickly learn
Our titles are too narrow in scope.
Now imagine our government leaders
Forced to finally hear our cry
Must publicly admit to everyone
That race was just a lie.
It was created by our fore-fathers
To justify their greed
And plagues our nation to this day
Oppressing those in need.
Our nationwide protest means
We no longer follow the norm
Of being lumped in obsolete categories
On a government census form.
No longer trapped in little boxes
We see each other as peers.
Instead of letting a thin layer of pigment
Dictate all of our fears.
Can a simple pack of crayons
Help create a better country?
I believe a change can happen
And I'll have it begin with me

All aboard! Ha ha ha ha ha ha haaaa!
Ay, Ay, Ay, Ay, Ay, Ay, Ay
Crazy, but that's how it goes
Millions of people living as foes
Maybe it's not too late
To learn how to love
And forget how to hate
Mental wounds not healing
Life's a bitter shame
I'm going off the rails on a crazy train
I'm going off the rails on a crazy train
Let's Go!
I've listened to preachers
I've listened to fools
I've watched all the dropouts
Who make their own rules
One person conditioned to rule and control
The media sells it and you live the role
Mental wounds still screaming
Driving me insane
I'm going off the rails on a crazy train
I'm going off the rails on a crazy train
I know that things are going wrong for me
You gotta listen to my words
Yeah
Heirs of a cold war
That's what we've become
Inheriting troubles I'm mentally numb
Crazy, I just cannot bear
I'm living with something' that just isn't fair
Mental wounds not healing
Who and what's to blame
I'm going off the rails on a crazy train
I'm going off the rails on a crazy train
Lyrics by Ozzy Osbourne