Thinking Deeply About Doing the Right Thing
We all want to do the right thing. We want our kids to do the right thing. But what does the right thing actually look like in any given situation? And why should we do it in the first place? These aren’t just abstract questions for philosophers in university classrooms—they’re real, everyday challenges. And at Island Pacific School, we believe middle school students are ready to take them on.
That’s why, in Grade 8, students take Senior Seminar, a course that introduces them to three of the most influential approaches to ethics—utilitarianism, Kantian deontology, and Aristotelian virtue ethics. They explore how each theory helps shape a moral compass and wrestle with one of the toughest questions of all: why be moral?
This isn’t a Ministry-mandated program. It’s a course Island Pacific School has developed and refined over the years because we believe ethical thinking isn’t just for college students—it’s for anyone who wants to navigate life with wisdom and integrity. The challenge is presenting these ideas in a way that respects students’ intelligence without oversimplifying the content. Our experience? Middle school students are more than capable of grappling with these concepts—and they love it.
Cultivating a moral sensibility is an essential part of a real education. And if you think 13- and 14-year-olds aren’t ready for it, we invite you to step into a Senior Seminar discussion and see for yourself.