Pursuit of a Common Good: Should Dev allow flowers or stick to vegetables?

By Marcus AureliusCommunity & Civic Responsibility2 min readGrade 9.7
Classroom
Intermediate

Overview

In a community project, a group of students decides to plant a garden together. By focusing on the common goal of beautifying their school, they learn to work together harmoniously, and their individual efforts contribute to a shared success.

The Choice

Should Dev allow flowers or stick to vegetables?

Quick Stats

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

The Dilemma

Dev and Olivia are part of a school project to create a community garden. The project is meant to beautify the school and provide fresh vegetables for the cafeteria. Dev is in charge of organizing the planting schedule, while Olivia is responsible for gathering supplies. As the project progresses, Dev notices that some students are more interested in planting flowers for a competition rather than focusing on the vegetables, which are the main goal of the project. Olivia suggests they let the students plant flowers too, as it might increase participation and make the garden more colorful. However, Dev is concerned that focusing on flowers might take away from the original purpose of providing vegetables for the school. Dev No one else can make this call.

Values in Tension

This dilemma explores the tension between two important values:

Community
vs
Responsibility

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

Your Options

A

Allow students to plant flowers.

B

Stick to planting only vegetables.

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 you think planting flowers might affect the project?

  3. 3

    Why is it important to focus on a common goal?

  4. 4

    How might Marcus Aurelius advise Dev 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 Marcus Aurelius

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

Related Topics

community
collaboration
responsibility
Marble bust of Marcus Aurelius, Roman Emperor and Stoic philosopher, featuring curly hair and beard, looking slightly to his left.

Marcus Aurelius Antoninus121-180

Marcus Aurelius (121-180 CE) was a Roman Emperor and a leading Stoic philosopher. His reign was marked by military conflict and plague, yet he is renowned for his Meditations, a personal journal reflecting on Stoic principles of virtue, duty, and resilience.

Stoicism
Practical application of Stoic philosophy to daily life and leadership
Emphasis on reason, virtue, and duty to the common good (cosmopolis)
Explore how Marcus Aurelius Antoninus informs this dilemma and discover additional ethical puzzles shaped by their ideas.
Learn more about Marcus Aurelius Antoninus or continue exploring dilemmas inspired by their philosophy.

Lesson Plans

Quick Fire5 min

Pursuit of a Common Good — 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
Standard15 min

Pursuit of a Common Good — 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