Student Resource 2.1
Reading: What is an Ethical Dilemma?
Ethical dilemmas are situations in which a person is faced with two convincing yet conflicting
alternatives for the solution to a difficult problem. What makes the situation a dilemma is that two or more
moral values a person considers important are in conflict. Resolving the dilemma then is difficult. Often
the “right” or ethical thing to do is not clear or is difficult to choose. We have all experienced ethical
dilemmas in our lives. Consider the following scenarios:
Scenario 1: You run into your friend’s mom on the street. She asks you how you enjoyed the movie with
her daughter on Friday night. You didn’t go to the movie with her daughter on Friday night, but it appears
that she told her mom that you did. Do you tell her mom that you didn’t go to the movie or is it ok to just
not answer, smile, nod your head, and quickly walk away?
Scenario 2: You observe what appear to be a homeless mother and her children stealing food at the
grocery store. Do you say something to the manager?
Scenario 3: You are being scouted to play for your dream team at your dream college. A week before the
last big game, one of your coaches takes you aside and offers you performance-enhancing drugs to
increase your chances of really impressing the scouts and getting the scholarship. He says he’s looking
out for your best interests and can guarantee you won’t be tested in the near future. Do you take the
drugs just this one time to secure your future?
Scenario 4: You have an opportunity for an internship at a respected business in your community. You
submit a project you worked on with several other Academy of Finance students with your portfolio.
Through the interview process, you discover that you are given credit for a section of the project that
really impressed the company. In fact, another member of your team, with little input from you, completed
that section. Do you tell the interviewers that you were not responsible for that section of the project?
Copyright © 2008–2012 National Academy Foundation. All rights reserved.
AOF Ethics in Business
Lesson 2 Introduction to Ethics
Student Resource 2.2
Worksheet: Considering an Ethical Dilemma
Student Name:_______________________________________________________ Date:___________
Directions: Read your classmate’s ethical dilemma and respond to the following questions in a sentence
or two for each.
Is there an ethical dilemma? Why or why not?
What do you think is the most ethical advice to give to this person? Why?
Is there more than one response to this question that could be considered ethical? Why or why not?
Think back on the characteristics of an ethical person. Which virtues would this person display if he chose
to act ethically in this situation?
Copyright © 2008–2012 National Academy Foundation. All rights reserved.
AOF Ethics in Business
Lesson 2 Introduction to Ethics
Student Resource 2.3
Worksheet: Ethical Codes
Student Name:_______________________________________________________ Date:___________
Name of Code
Country, Organization, or Ethical Message of This
Group Represented
Code
Does or Did This Code
Accurately Reflect the
Ethical Standards of the
Group?
Directions: In your groups, read the ethical codes your teacher distributed. Choose three of these codes
to compare and contrast in the table below.
Copyright © 2008–2012 National Academy Foundation. All rights reserved.
AOF Ethics in Business
Lesson 2 Introduction to Ethics
Student Resource 2.4
Worksheet: Ethics Proverbs
Student Name:_______________________________________________ Date:___________
A proverb is a well-known and often-repeated short and simple saying, which expresses a truth based on
common sense or practical experience. A number of proverbs have to do with the issues of ethics,
morals, and values that people have thought about throughout history.
Directions: Analyze each of the proverbs below by responding to the related prompts in complete
sentences.
Proverb #1: Blood is thicker than water.
What does this statement mean? How would you rephrase it to explain it to someone younger than you?
What does this statement have to do with ethics, morals, or values as we have discussed these terms in
class?
Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not? Give an example from your own life or observations
to support your position.
Proverb #2: Honesty is the best policy.
What does this statement mean? How would you rephrase it to explain it to someone younger than you?
What does this statement have to do with ethics, morals, or values as we have discussed these terms in
class?
Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not? Give an example from your own life or observations
to support your position.
Copyright © 2008–2012 National Academy Foundation. All rights reserved.
AOF Ethics in Business
Lesson 2 Introduction to Ethics
Proverb #3: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
What does this statement mean? How would you rephrase it to explain it to someone younger than you?
What does this statement have to do with ethics, morals, or values as we have discussed these terms in
class?
Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not? Give an example from your own life or observations
to support your position.
Proverb #4: You should practice what you preach.
What does this statement mean? How would you rephrase it to explain it to someone younger than you?
What does this statement have to do with ethics, morals, or values as we have discussed these terms in
class?
Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not? Give an example from your own life or observations
to support your position.
Copyright © 2008–2012 National Academy Foundation. All rights reserved.
AOF Ethics in Business
Lesson 2 Introduction to Ethics
Proverb #5: A half-truth is a whole lie.
What does this statement mean? How would you rephrase it to explain it to someone younger than you?
What does this statement have to do with ethics, morals, or values as we have discussed these terms in
class?
Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not? Give an example from your own life or observations
to support your position.
Which of these proverbs would you choose to represent your own personal code of ethics, and
why? (If none of these proverbs resonate, you may refer to another proverb or write your own!)
Before handing in your assignment, check to make sure it meets or exceeds the
following assessment criteria:
Your responses show that you understand the meaning of each proverb.
Your answers show reflection on personal responsibility as it relates to ethics, morals, or values.
Your explanation of your chosen proverb is clear and reflects your own personal code of ethics.
Your worksheet is neat and legible, and all responses are in complete sentences.
Copyright © 2008–2012 National Academy Foundation. All rights reserved.
