The aim of the activity is to discuss the universality and relativity of moral principles. Discuss the problem whether there are situations when murder is acceptable and what can we understand as higher good. It implicitly deals with the discussion between consequentialist and dentological argumentation. Therefore it can be used as an introductory activity to understand different ethical approaches.
Lesson plan
The murder of a tyrant is not a crime
| Author / creator | Curator | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Štefan Bojnák | Barbora Baďurová | 02/2019 |
Aims and objectives
Learning activities
Discusion and analysis of the claim that "From the point of view of the higher principle of morality the murder of a tyrant is not a crime".
Discussion which examples from history, literature, movies support the claim and which not.
Is the claim in accordance with moral principles?
Which ethical principles supports the claim and which not?
How can we support the claim?
An how can we criticise it?
Materials and resources
Text of Jan Drda or the movie Higher principle (Vyšší princíp, 1960) based on the novel dealing with the life of high school students during the second world war in 1942. The movie deals with the idea of humanity and the totalitarian power among civil people. The most interesting part is where the teacher Mr. Malek after a murder of one of the students presents claim that "From the point of view of the higher principle of morality the murder of a tyrant is not a crime".
Teacher role
Teacher serves as a moderator of the discussion and helps students clarify the ideas of moral principles.