Pbs: Ethics in Lit: "The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas": Ursula K. Le Guin

Explore the ethical dilemma presented in Le Guin's short story "The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas" in this video [3:43] from the American Masters film "Worlds of Ursula K. Le Guin." The short story provides rich material for students to discuss what they would be willing to overlook to create a "nearly" perfect society. Is something "right" if it benefits the majority of people, or does it need to benefit all people? What if you have to choose between two options that both have negative outcomes for some? Support materials include discussion questions, vocabulary, and an exploration of the famous ethical dilemma "the trolley problem."