"Embracing the Kobayashi Maru".

Read the article "Embracing the Kobayashi Maru".

Write a 4-paragraph analysis of the article.

1Do you agree or disagree with Conti? Justify your answer.
2What are some of the risks of teaching students to cheat?
3What are some of the benefits of teaching students to cheat?

Full Answer Section

    I agree with Conti that the traditional Kobayashi Maru scenario is outdated and unrealistic. In the real world, there are many situations in which people face no-win scenarios, and they need to be able to think critically and creatively about how to best resolve them. I also agree that students should be taught to think about ethical dilemmas in a nuanced way. However, I disagree with Conti's suggestion that students should be taught to cheat in order to learn how to think critically and creatively about ethical dilemmas. Cheating is unethical, and it teaches students that it is okay to break the rules when it is convenient for them. This is a dangerous lesson to teach, and it can lead to problems later in life. Risks of Teaching Students to Cheat There are a number of risks associated with teaching students to cheat. First, it can teach students that it is okay to break the rules when it is convenient for them. This can lead to problems in school, in the workplace, and in personal relationships. Second, teaching students to cheat can erode their trust in authority figures. If students learn that they can get away with cheating, they may be less likely to respect their teachers, their parents, and other adults in their lives. Third, teaching students to cheat can give them an unfair advantage over their peers. Students who are willing to cheat may get better grades and get ahead in life, even if they are not as intelligent or hardworking as their peers who choose not to cheat. Benefits of Teaching Students to Think Critically and Creatively About Ethical Dilemmas There are a number of benefits to teaching students to think critically and creatively about ethical dilemmas. First, it can help them to become more ethical people. When students learn to think about the consequences of their actions and to consider the different perspectives of others, they are more likely to make ethical decisions. Second, teaching students to think critically and creatively about ethical dilemmas can help them to become better problem solvers. When students are faced with a difficult situation, they are more likely to be able to find a creative solution if they have been taught to think critically about the problem. Third, teaching students to think critically and creatively about ethical dilemmas can help them to become more informed citizens. When students are able to think critically about the ethical implications of political and social issues, they are better able to make informed decisions about how to vote and how to get involved in their communities. How to Teach Students to Think Critically and Creatively About Ethical Dilemmas There are a number of ways to teach students to think critically and creatively about ethical dilemmas. One way is to present them with case studies of real-world situations in which people have faced difficult ethical choices. Students can then discuss the case studies and try to come up with different ways to resolve them. Another way to teach students to think critically and creatively about ethical dilemmas is to use role-playing exercises. In role-playing exercises, students can take on the roles of different people in an ethical dilemma and try to see the situation from different perspectives. Finally, teachers can also help students to develop their critical thinking skills by asking them open-ended questions about ethical dilemmas. For example, a teacher could ask students to think about the following questions:
  • What are the different ways to resolve this ethical dilemma?
  • What are the potential consequences of each of these options?
  • Who would be affected by each of these options?
  • What is the most ethical way to resolve this dilemma?
By asking students open-ended questions, teachers can help them to develop their critical thinking skills and to learn how to think critically and creatively about ethical dilemmas. Conclusion I agree with Conti that students should be taught to think critically and creatively about ethical dilemmas. However, I disagree with his suggestion that students should be taught to cheat in order to learn how to think critically and creatively. There are a number of other ways to teach students to think critically and creatively about ethical dilemmas, such as presenting them with case studies, using role-playing exercises, and asking them open-ended questions. I believe that it is important to teach students to be ethical people. Cheating is unethical, and it teaches students that it is okay to break the rules when it is convenient for them  

Sample Answer

   

In his article "Embracing the Kobayashi Maru," Gregory Conti argues that students should be taught to cheat in order to learn how to think critically and creatively about ethical dilemmas. He argues that the traditional Kobayashi Maru scenario, in which Star Trek cadets are presented with a no-win situation and must decide whether to cheat or follow orders, is outdated and unrealistic. In the real world, Conti argues, security professionals often face situations in which they must choose between two or more bad options, and they need to be able to think outside the box in order to find the best solution.