Overview
Emma is the team captain of her high school's debate club. Emma must decide whether to prioritize the team's chances of winning or uphold fairness by allowing Alex to compete.
The Choice
Should Emma replace Alex with Sarah for the competition?
Quick Stats
- Grade Band
- Grades 9-12
- Reading Level
- Level 11.993116883116887
- Word Count
- 330 words
- Published
- Mar 23, 2026
The Dilemma
Emma is the team captain of her high school's debate club. They have an important competition coming up, and one of their team members, Alex, is struggling with their arguments. Sarah, another team member, is exceptionally skilled and offers to step in for Alex, believing it will give them a better chance of winning. However, Emma knows that Alex has been working hard and believes they deserve the opportunity to participate. Emma must decide whether to prioritize the team's chances of winning or uphold fairness by allowing Alex to compete.
Values in Tension
This dilemma explores the tension between two important values:
Consider how these values might conflict or complement each other in this situation.
Your Options
Replace Alex with Sarah to increase team's chances.
Allow Alex to compete to uphold fairness.
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
What are the potential impacts on team morale?
- 2
How might this decision affect Alex's confidence?
- 3
What are the broader implications of favoring skill over effort?
- 4
How does fairness factor into leadership decisions?
- 5
What is the role of a leader in balancing team success and individual fairness?
Did you like this dilemma?
Philosophical Perspective
Insights from Mary Wollstonecraft
Take a moment to form your own thoughts first, then click to explore philosophical perspectives.
