📚 Part 1: Understanding Ethical Frameworks
1. Match each ethical framework to its correct definition by drawing lines:
Utilitarianism
Deontology
Ontology
Focus on the nature of being and individual dignity
Greatest good for the greatest number
Duties and rules must be followed regardless of outcome
2. Which of the following best describes the balance between rights and responsibilities in Australian democracy?
Individual rights are always more important than societal responsibilities
Rights and responsibilities must be carefully balanced through law and policy
Societal responsibilities should override individual rights in all cases
Rights and responsibilities never conflict with each other
3. In the Lange v ABC (1997) case, which two important principles were being balanced?
Freedom of political communication and defamation laws
Privacy rights and freedom of information
Religious freedom and anti-discrimination laws
Property rights and environmental protection
✏️ Part 2: Personal Reflection and Analysis
4. Think of a time when your personal rights conflicted with your responsibilities to your family, school, or community. Describe the situation briefly:
5. How did you resolve this conflict? What factors influenced your decision?
6. Using the three ethical frameworks, analyse your situation. Complete the sentence starters below:
From a utilitarian perspective: The decision that would create the greatest good for the greatest number would be ________________________________________________
According to deontology: My duty or responsibility in this situation was to ________________________________________________
Ontologically: This situation affected my dignity and the dignity of others by ________________________________________________
7. Reflect on how different ethical frameworks might influence your view of balancing rights and responsibilities. Which framework do you find most helpful when making difficult decisions? Explain your reasoning:
🤔 Part 3: Critical Thinking and Citizenship
8. As an active Australian citizen, what strategies can you use to balance your rights with your responsibilities to your community? List at least three strategies:
9. Consider a current issue in Australian society where rights and responsibilities are being debated (e.g., social media regulation, public health measures, environmental protection). Briefly describe the issue and explain how different ethical frameworks might approach this balance:
10. Final reflection: How has exploring different ethical frameworks changed or deepened your understanding of the relationship between rights and responsibilities in Australian democracy?
