All Dilemmas

Friendship Requires Shared Enjoyment: Should Liam go skateboarding or game with Bjorn?

By Aristotle•Relationships & Social Skills•2 min read•Grade 7.4
Classroom
Intermediate

Overview

Consider two classmates who bond over their love for soccer. They enjoy practicing together and cheering for their favorite team, which strengthens their friendship. If one loses interest in soccer, their friendship might weaken because they no longer share that joy.

The Choice

Should Liam go skateboarding or game with Bjorn?

Quick Stats

Grade Band
Grades 6-8
Reading Level
Level 7.4
Word Count
322 words
Published
Jun 7, 2025

The Dilemma

Liam and Bjorn grew up on the same street and have shared almost every milestone together. Every weekend, they would play their favorite games together, strategizing and laughing for hours. However, recently, Liam has developed a new interest in skateboarding. He loves the thrill and the challenge, and he spends more of his free time practicing tricks at the skate park. Bjorn, on the other hand, has no interest in skateboarding and feels left out. He misses the time they used to spend gaming together. One Saturday, Bjorn invites Liam over to play a new video game he just got. Liam, torn between his passion for skateboarding and his friendship with Bjorn, wonders if he should spend the day at the skate park or join Bjorn for gaming.

Values in Tension

This dilemma explores the tension between two important values:

Loyalty
vs
Compassion

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

Your Options

A

Go skateboarding.

B

Spend the day gaming with Bjorn.

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 might Liam feel if he chooses skateboarding over gaming?

  3. 3

    What could happen to Liam and Bjorn's friendship if they don't share interests?

  4. 4

    How might Aristotle advise Liam 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
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Lesson Plans

Quick Fire5 min

Friendship Requires Shared Enjoyment — 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 Requires Shared Enjoyment — 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