ESL Questions Ethics
Ethics
A deep dive into right and wrong, these questions challenge students to look at the moral compass guiding their decisions.
Beginner
Is a lie bad?
Do you help people?
Is the truth good?
Do you share?
Is stealing wrong?
Do you follow rules?
Is a friend kind?
Do you say sorry?
Is life fair?
Do you keep a secret?
Is the law right?
Do you feel guilty?
Is it okay to take?
Do you do good?
Is a test hard?
Do you cheat?
Is a gift nice?
Do you play fair?
Is the boss mean?
Do you tell the truth?
Is a promise big?
Do you save money?
Is the dog hungry?
Do you care?
Is today good?
Intermediate
Would you ever return a wallet full of money if you knew no one was watching?
Is it ever okay to tell a 'white lie' to protect a friend's feelings?
Do you think that people are generally born good or born selfish?
If you saw a coworker stealing a small item, would you tell your boss?
Is it more important to follow the law or to follow your own heart?
Should we judge people based on their intentions or the results of their actions?
How do you handle a situation where your friends are doing something you think is wrong?
Is it ethical to experiment on animals to find cures for human diseases?
Do you think rich people have a moral obligation to help the poor?
If you could save five people by hurting one person, would you do it?
Is it wrong to use 'pirated' software or movies if you can't afford them?
How do you decide what is 'right' and 'wrong' in your own life?
Should we be responsible for the mistakes our ancestors made in the past?
Is it okay to lie on a resume if it helps you get a job you really need?
Do you think 'karma' is a real thing that punishes bad behavior?
How do you feel about companies that use 'child labor' in other countries?
Should everyone be treated exactly the same, or based on their needs?
Is it ethical to clone animals or even humans in the future?
How do you feel when you see someone 'cutting the line' at a store?
Is it wrong to be friends with someone who has very different morals than you?
Should the government be allowed to watch our private messages for safety?
Do you think it is okay to eat meat if you know the animal suffered?
How do you teach a child the difference between right and wrong?
Is it better to be successful and mean or unsuccessful and kind?
Does 'might make right,' or is justice something different?
Advanced
Is 'situational ethics' a valid way to live, or are there absolute moral truths?
How does the 'trolley problem' reveal our hidden biases about the value of life?
Should AI systems be programmed with a specific set of human ethics?
Can an action be considered 'good' if the person doing it is seeking fame?
How do cultural differences change our perception of what is ethical?
Is it possible for a large corporation to truly have a 'conscience'?
Does the 'death penalty' violate the fundamental ethics of a civilized society?
How do we balance individual freedom with the collective good of the community?
Should we use 'genetic editing' to create 'perfect' humans?
Is 'utilitarianism'—the greatest good for the greatest number—a dangerous idea?
How does 'moral relativism' affect the way we judge historical figures?
Can war ever be 'just,' or is all violence inherently unethical?
How do we handle the ethical dilemma of 'whistleblowing' against our own country?
Is it ethical to create 'sentient' robots that have feelings but no rights?
Should we prioritize the environment over human economic progress?
How does 'privilege' influence our ability to act ethically in a crisis?
Is 'forgiveness' an ethical requirement or a personal choice?
Can a machine ever be held morally responsible for its 'decisions'?
How does the concept of 'virtue ethics' differ from following a set of rules?
Is it ethical to sell personal data for the purpose of targeted advertising?
How do we define 'human rights' in a world with so many different cultures?
Is the 'pursuit of profit' naturally at odds with ethical behavior?
Should we allow 'assisted suicide' for people with terminal illnesses?
How does 'empathy' serve as the biological foundation for our ethics?
What is the 'good life,' and can it be achieved without being a good person?