All Dilemmas

Friendship and Personal Growth: Should Eun-Kyung attend the tournament or support Sekou?

By Aristotle•Relationships & Social Skills•2 min read•Grade 9.7
Classroom
Intermediate

Overview

Imagine two friends who used to play together every day. As they grow older, one becomes interested in sports while the other prefers reading. They struggle to find common ground and wonder if they can still be friends.

The Choice

Should Eun-Kyung attend the tournament or support Sekou?

Quick Stats

Grade Band
Grades 6-8
Reading Level
Level 9.7
Word Count
308 words
Published
Jun 7, 2025

The Dilemma

Eun-Kyung and Sekou have been inseparable since the third grade, always pushing each other to try new things. As they enter middle school, Eun-Kyung discovers a passion for basketball and starts spending more time practicing and playing with the school team. Sekou, on the other hand, finds joy in joining the school's robotics club, where he can explore his interest in technology. As the school year progresses, Eun-Kyung and Sekou find themselves drifting apart, unable to connect over their past shared interests. One day, Eun-Kyung is invited to a weekend basketball tournament that conflicts with a robotics competition Sekou is participating in. Sekou asks Eun-Kyung to come support him at the competition, but Eun-Kyung is torn because she also wants to play in the tournament. Eun-Kyung The decision isn't easy.

Values in Tension

This dilemma explores the tension between two important values:

Loyalty
vs
Autonomy

Consider how these values might conflict or complement each other in this situation.

Your Options

A

Attend the basketball tournament.

B

Support Sekou at the competition.

Questions for Reflection

Take a moment to consider these questions. There are no "right" answers – the goal is to explore different perspectives and develop your own reasoning.

  1. 1

    What would you do, and why?

  2. 2

    How do changing interests affect friendships?

  3. 3

    Can friendships survive different interests?

  4. 4

    How might Aristotle advise Eun-Kyung in this situation?

  5. 5

    Can you recall a time in your own life when you faced a somewhat similar choice or feeling? What did you do?

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Philosophical Perspective

Insights from Aristotle

Take a moment to form your own thoughts first, then click to explore philosophical perspectives.

Related Topics

friendship
loyalty
decision-making
Marble bust of Aristotle, depicting a bearded man with a thoughtful and serious expression, representing the ancient Greek philosopher.

Aristotle384–322 BCE

Aristotle (384–322 BCE), a student of Plato and founder of the Lyceum, was a Greek philosopher whose vast contributions shaped logic (Organon), ethics (eudaimonia, virtue ethics in Nicomachean Ethics), politics (Politics), metaphysics (substance, four cause…

Peripatetic School
Lyceum
Ancient Greek Philosophy
Explore how Aristotle informs this dilemma and discover additional ethical puzzles shaped by their ideas.
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Lesson Plans

Quick Fire5 min

Friendship and Personal Growth — 5-10 minutes

Learning objectives:

  • -Identify the core ethical tension
  • -Make a quick, reasoned choice

Discussion prompts:

  • 1.Which option did you choose, and why?
  • 2.What would you give up with each choice?
participation
Classroom
Standard15 min

Friendship and Personal Growth — 15-20 minutes

Learning objectives:

  • -Identify competing values
  • -Articulate trade-offs

Discussion prompts:

  • 1.What would you lose by choosing each option?
  • 2.Is there a third path?
participation
Classroom