Excess and Deficiency in Actions: Should Priya share snacks with William or everyone?

By AristotleRelationships & Social Skills2 min readGrade 7.7
Classroom
Intermediate

Overview

Consider a student who always shares their lunch with friends, but sometimes gives away too much and has nothing left for themselves. Learning to share just the right amount helps them keep friends and also ensures they have enough for themselves.

The Choice

Should Priya share snacks with William or everyone?

Quick Stats

Grade Band
Grades 6-8
Reading Level
Level 7.7
Word Count
283 words
Published
Jun 7, 2025

The Dilemma

Priya and William have known each other long enough to know exactly which buttons not to push. Priya, known for her generosity, often brings extra snacks for everyone. However, today she notices William seems a bit down and hasn't brought his own snack. Priya has just enough snacks for herself and William, but not enough for the rest of the group. She knows sharing with William could cheer him up, but she's also aware that other friends might feel left out if she doesn't share with them too.

Values in Tension

This dilemma explores the tension between two important values:

Loyalty
vs
Fairness

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

Your Options

A

Share snacks only with William.

B

Share snacks with everyone.

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 sharing only with William affect the group?

  3. 3

    What are the possible outcomes of sharing with everyone?

  4. 4

    How might Aristotle advise Priya 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

generosity
friendship
fairness
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

Excess and Deficiency in Actions — 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

Excess and Deficiency in Actions — 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