Page - 129 - in Reflective Cosmopolitanism - Educating towards inclusive communities through Philosophical Enquiry

IN AND OUT THE PARk (MANUAL) 129 IN AND OUT THE PARk (MANUAL) Episode 1. The not-no-politically-correct teacher Leading Idea 1: Right/Wrong We often use the words “right” and “wrong” to express whether a mathematical process or claim is correct. We would say, for example, that a mathematical calculation is correct if it respects a procedure of predefined rules, or an answer to a history question is correct if it corresponds to the facts (or accepted story) of the event in question. In addition, the two expressions are used to indicate what is right or wrong in a moral or ethical sense. In the first episode of the story, Jensika recognizes she did something wrong when she did not adhere to her responsibility to study mathematics, but she also recognizes the teacher did something wrong when he made racist and sexist comments. ‘Right’ and ‘wrong’ here refer to what is appropriate regarding one’s moral or ethical duty. Usually, we intend “moral” to refer to what concerns the personal sphere and “ethical” to refer to what concerns the public or social sphere. It would be interesting to explore with your students the meanings they give to the words “right” and “wrong.” For example, you could invite them to reflect if there exists a universal way to define what is right and what is wrong, or if what is right and wrong changes in different contexts, historical times, or cultures. Discussion Plan: Right/Wrong 1. What are some of the criteria which establish whether something is right or wrong? 2. When do we say something is right or wrong? 3. When would we say a person behaves in the right way? 4. When would we say a person behaves in the wrong way? 5. Who establishes whether something, or some behavior, is right or wrong? 6. Can I decide by myself whether something, or some behaviour, is right or wrong? 7. Do I have to rely on, or defer to, others to understand when something, or a be- havior, is right or not? 8. Is there an “authority” that decides what is right and what is not? 9. Is what is right for me right for you too? 10. Is what is right for me right for all the inhabitants on earth? 11. Is what is right for me right for aliens too? Exercise: Right and wrong Read the following and say whether each example is of something right or wrong. Explain the reasons for each choice and the criteria used for your judgment. 1. To avoid the oral test, Giovanni pretended to be ill and remained at home.