Considering consequences
People do and buy various things because it gives them pleasure. Sometimes they don't think about the consequences of their actions on themselves, on other people, on animals or the environment.
Think about the following list of things that give some people pleasure. Put a tick under the heading where you think something causes harm. Add 2 things that you personally like doing or buying, and evaluate those things in the same way. Each person should do this for themselves.
| Self | Others | Animals | Environment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water skiing | |||
| Barbeques | |||
| Street drag racing | |||
| Animal circuses | |||
| Drugs (legal) | |||
| Drugs (illegal) | |||
| Horse racing | |||
| Fur coats | |||
| Bungee jumping | |||
| Cosmetics | |||
| Take-away food | |||
| Loud music | |||
| Whale watching | |||
| Fishing | |||
| 1 | |||
| 2 |
Questions
Consider these questions in small groups, and then discuss with the whole class.
- What feelings are people trying to achieve when they do or buy these things?
- If an activity causes harm, could people achieve the same feeling in another, less harmful way? Write down some suggestions.
- Are people justified in doing something because they like it, even if it causes harm? Why or why not?
- Do you think people usually think about the consequences of their actions? Should they?