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Welcome to SEE's Reasoning with Ethics page. The following case and linked pages (right margin) are provided to help support class discussions or essay assignments with a focus on ethical reasoning, which is a supporting factor for student character formation. A free subscription with a weekly email that includes a current events case and guided questions to support ethical discussions is available. SEE encourages the strategy described here to be applied beyond current events cases and to included analysis of relevant cases in history, literature and life. Current Case |
Cases can be used as • Class discussion starters • Reading lessons • Essay prompts • Social studies, health or ethics class analysis |
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Kindness to Others
December 9, 2019 A deli/convenience-store owner in San Antonio, TX placed a decorative Christmas mailbox in his store last year. Children began placing letters to Santa into the mailbox. The owner of the store, Aleem Chaudhry decided he would try to respond. He wasn’t sending gifts, but provided a reply out of respect and kindness to the children. Last year he received 400 letters and Mr. Chaudhry replied to each one. He is continuing the effort this year. The decorative mailbox became a communication point between kids and their imagination of Santa Claus. The store now provides crayons and paper to write letters to Santa. This modest act of kindness to kids he doesn’t know has resulted in parents thanking Aleem for Click the following links for more background- https://www.cbsnews.com/news/letters-to-santa-deli-owner-becomes-local-hero-for-collecting-and-replying-to-hundreds-of-christmas-lists-for-kids/ |
encouraging their children.
It is difficult to put a value on one encouraged child or even 400, but somehow Mr. Chaudhry found his project worth the effort. Students are asked to consider, what core values motivate a person to serve strangers with no clear monetary return. |
Additionally, is there an ethical obligation for one to serve others (in some capacity) without expectation of tangible return?
The Reasoning with Ethics blog will be on vacation until after the new year. SEE wishes everyone a safe, joyous and peaceful holiday season.
The Reasoning with Ethics blog will be on vacation until after the new year. SEE wishes everyone a safe, joyous and peaceful holiday season.
Thoughts on the case? We want to hear them!
Ethics in action creates character