All Dilemmas

Acting with Intent: Diego must choose between joining a club and staying loyal to soccer.

By Epictetus•Relationships & Social Skills•2 min read•Grade 10.0
Classroom
Intermediate

Overview

Before a student decides to join a club, they should think about what the club does and how they want to act within it, ensuring their behavior aligns with their values.

The Choice

Diego must choose between joining a club and staying loyal to soccer.

Quick Stats

Grade Band
Grades 6-8
Reading Level
Level 9.989100899100901
Word Count
364 words
Published
Mar 23, 2026

The Dilemma

Diego and Jae are both interested in joining the school's environmental club. Diego is excited about participating in activities that protect the environment, but he's also a member of the soccer team, which takes up a lot of his time. He's worried he won't be able to commit fully to both. Meanwhile, Jae is encouraging Diego to join the club because it aligns with their values of responsibility towards the planet. However, Diego is hesitant because he values loyalty to his soccer teammates and doesn't want to let them down. Diego must decide whether to join the environmental club and risk not being able to give his best to both commitments or to focus solely on soccer, ensuring he remains true to his team. Diego now faces a choice: (A) Join the environmental club and balance both activities, or (B) Focus on soccer and remain loyal to his team.

Values in Tension

This dilemma explores the tension between two important values:

Loyalty
vs
Responsibility

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

Your Options

A

Join the environmental club.

B

Focus on soccer loyalty.

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 does 'Acting with Intent' apply to Diego's choice?

  3. 3

    What are the consequences of each choice?

  4. 4

    How might Epictetus advise Diego here?

  5. 5

    Turn & tell: What would our class consider the proper action here, and why?

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Philosophical Perspective

Insights from Epictetus

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

Related Topics

loyalty
responsibility
environment
Portrait of Epictetus

Epictetusc. 50-c. 135

Epictetus (c. 50 – c. 135 AD) was a prominent Stoic philosopher who began life as a slave in Phrygia. After gaining freedom, he taught philosophy in Rome and later established a renowned school in Nicopolis. Though he wrote nothing, his teachings, recorded …

Stoicism
The Dichotomy of Control (what is in our power vs. what is not)
Prohairesis (Moral Choice/Volition) and the Correct Use of Impressions
Explore how Epictetus informs this dilemma and discover additional ethical puzzles shaped by their ideas.
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Lesson Plans

Quick Fire5 min

Acting with Intent — 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

Acting with Intent — 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