Mary Wollstonecraft on Should Jamie and Alex request more materials?

By Mary WollstonecraftTechnology Ethics2 min readGrade 6.9
Classroom
Intermediate

Overview

Jamie and Alex are in the same class and always play together. One day, their teacher announces a special project and divides the class into teams.

The Choice

Should Jamie and Alex request more materials?

Quick Stats

Grade Band
Grades 3-5
Reading Level
Level 6.881141340411414
Word Count
274 words
Published
Mar 23, 2026

The Dilemma

Jamie and Alex are in the same class and always play together. One day, their teacher announces a special project and divides the class into teams. Each team gets a different amount of materials. Jamie notices their team has less compared to others and feels it's unfair. "We should ask for more stuff," Jamie suggests. But Alex points out, "If we ask, another team will get less."

Values in Tension

This dilemma explores the tension between two important values:

Fairness
vs
Equality

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

Your Options

A

Ask the teacher for more materials.

B

Work with what they have.

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 does fairness mean in this situation?

  2. 2

    How might other teams feel if Jamie and Alex ask for more?

  3. 3

    What could happen if they work with less?

  4. 4

    Is it fair for everyone to have the same resources?

  5. 5

    What are ways to handle unfairness besides asking for more?

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Philosophical Perspective

Insights from Mary Wollstonecraft

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

Related Topics

fairness
equality
Portrait of Mary Wollstonecraft by John Opie, circa 1797, showing her in a white dress and black hat, looking thoughtfully to her left.

Mary Wollstonecraft1759-1797

Mary Wollstonecraft (1759-1797) was a pioneering English feminist philosopher and writer. Her seminal work, 'A Vindication of the Rights of Woman' (1792), argued for women's rationality and the necessity of their education for societal progress.

Feminist Philosophy
Enlightenment Philosophy
Liberalism
Explore how Mary Wollstonecraft informs this dilemma and discover additional ethical puzzles shaped by their ideas.
Learn more about Mary Wollstonecraft or continue exploring dilemmas inspired by their philosophy.

Lesson Plans

Quick Fire5 min

The Principle of Fairness — 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