1. Ethics, values and virtues
Moral dilemmas
From Ancient Rome to our times

2. What is a moral dilemma
“A moral or ethical dilemma is a conflict of moral principles, occurring when a person faces certain situations where adhering to one particular principle might result in the violation of the other”.
No matter what you do , you would do something wrong.
A moral dilemma is when you have to choose to do one of two equally unpleasant things.
Moral Dilemmas have existed from early times, and they could happen every day of our daily life.

3. The Romans and Moral dilemma
Julius Cesar- Brutus moral dilemma: JC was the leader and became very powerful: “dictator for life” of Rome. Nobody liked him anymore, they wanted him dead.
Brutus, one of his closest friends, a noble man with great reputation.
Senate conspire against Cesar : Somebody needed to “save "Rome.

4. Brutus solved dilemma
Brutus. What means this shouting? I do fear, the people choose Caesar for their king.
Brutus. I would not, Cassius, yet I love him well.
If it be aught toward the general good,
Set honor in one eye and death i' the' other,
And I will look on both indifferently;
For let the gods so speed me, as I love
The name of honor more than I fear death. (78-89)”

5. Dilemmas of the present times
The trolley dilemma :
Your friend stole the math test. You know she did not study because she went to a party. You study like crazy. Test was extremely
difficult. You got a 2, your best friend who stole the test got an 8. Teachers find out someone stole the test and will give a reward of adding 4 points to your grade if you tell who stole the test. What would you do?

6. Two choices Would you tell on your best friend and get a better grade?
Why yes ?
Why not?
Decision, what you value less, what you value more, value
Would you not tell on your best friend and stay with a bad grade?
Why yes?
Why not?
Decision, what you value less, what you value more, value

7. Conclusions I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul.
No right or wrong answers
Main issue is what we value more.
We have to value the consequences.
Our ethics, values and virtues comes from many sources: parents, religion, teachers, friends, heroes, sports figures, movie stars and so on
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
(From Invictus by William ErnestHenley