Lesson Aim
Students watch a philosophical video about JoJo, a dictator raised in an extreme environment, and discuss whether people are fully morally responsible for actions shaped by upbringing.
Before watching
- Can someone be fully responsible for bad actions if they were raised to believe those actions were normal?
- What matters more when judging responsibility: the action itself, the person’s values, or how those values were formed?
- Should society blame, punish or try to re-educate someone who lacks moral understanding?
Moral Responsibility
Watch in two parts and complete the tasks.
Prep for Part 1: Vocabulary Matching
Match each phrase to its meaning before watching Part 1.
1. ruthless dictator
2. appease
3. moral responsibility
4. deep self
Watch Part 1
Watch from 0:06 to about 2:27. Focus on JoJo’s upbringing and the Deep Self View.
Open Part 1 on YouTubeComprehension 1
1. How is Jo the First described?
2. Why does JoJo not see any issues with his father’s rule?
3. According to the Deep Self View, people are responsible for actions that...
4. Which example makes someone less morally responsible in the Deep Self View?
5. What question is raised about JoJo’s values?
Vocabulary from Part 1
Jo rules his country with an .
His servants treat every whim as a wise and noble .
The case raises a question about .
Deep Self theorists argue that JoJo is responsible because his actions reflect his .
Options
iron fistdecisionmoralityvaluesmarketPrep for Part 2: Vocabulary Matching
Match each phrase to its meaning before watching Part 2.
1. upbringing
2. moral competence
3. incompatibilists
4. transcend
Watch Part 2
Watch from about 2:27 to the end. Focus on Susan Wolf, moral competence, determinism and the final dilemma.
Open Part 2 on YouTubeComprehension 2
1. What does Susan Wolf argue we should consider?
2. Why might JoJo be less responsible according to Wolf?
3. What do incompatibilists believe?
4. What does Wolf say JoJo lacks?
5. What would increase JoJo’s responsibility?
Vocabulary from Part 2
Wolf says we should consider how someone’s deep self .
JoJo may lack the capacity to self-reflect and .
If JoJo had more chances to learn, we could excuse him .
The final question asks whether morality can transcend our .
Options
came to bechange his valueslessupbringingresponsivenessVocabulary Review
| Expression | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| rule with an iron fist | control people very harshly | Jo the First rules with an iron fist. |
| bear responsibility | be morally or legally accountable | Does JoJo bear full moral responsibility? |
| stem from | come from or be caused by | His actions stem from his values. |
| under duress | because of force or threat | Someone acting under duress may be less responsible. |
| moral competence | the ability to understand right and wrong | Wolf argues that JoJo lacks moral competence. |
Phrasal Verbs and Expressions from the Video
Drag the correct expression into each sentence.
Wolf asks how JoJo’s deep self .
JoJo grows up to his father’s role.
His actions may his deepest values.
The case can less extreme situations.
Our understanding of right and wrong may our upbringing.
Options
shed light ongloss overstem frominherittranscendcame to beUse the Same Expressions to Form Questions
Use the same expressions from the previous exercise to complete the questions.
1. How do you think a person’s deepest values ?
2. Can someone harmful beliefs from their family or society?
3. Should responsibility depend on where someone’s values ?
4. How can JoJo’s case real-life moral responsibility?
5. Can people their upbringing and learn right from wrong?
Options
shed light onswitch tostem frominherittranscendcome to beCollocations from the Video
Drag the correct word to complete each collocation.
responsibility
values
forces
environment
competence
opportunity
Options
atypicalrandomexternaldeepestmeaningfulmoralB2/C1 Grammar: Hypotheticals, Conditionals and Moral Judgement
This video discusses imagined cases and moral responsibility, so the grammar focus is on advanced conditional structures, concession and evaluative language.
Grammar Section 1: Third Conditional and Mixed Conditionals
1. If JoJo ___ a normal childhood, he might have developed different values.
2. Had JoJo been taught justice, he ___ less morally incompetent.
3. Which sentence is correct?
Grammar Section 2: Concession and Nuance
1. Which sentence is most nuanced?
2. Complete: “Even if JoJo acts on his own values, ___.”
3. Which sentence uses “whereas” correctly?
Grammar Section 3: Evaluative Language
1. Which phrase is useful for careful moral judgement?
2. Complete: “The more opportunities JoJo had to learn, ___ excusable his actions become.”
3. Which sentence sounds most academic?
Thought-Provoking Questions
Discuss these questions in pairs or small groups. Give reasons, examples and possible consequences.
1. Can someone be fully responsible for actions if their values were shaped by an extreme upbringing?
2. Should we judge people by their actions, their intentions or how their character was formed?
3. If someone lacks moral competence, should they be punished, educated or protected from power?
4. Does a bad childhood reduce blame, or does it only help explain behaviour?
5. What would make JoJo more responsible for his actions?
6. Can people transcend their upbringing and learn right from wrong?
7. How should society balance compassion for someone’s background with justice for their victims?
Role Play
| Judging responsibility | Showing nuance | Challenging politely |
|---|---|---|
| He bears responsibility because... He may be less responsible because... We should consider... | Although his actions are wrong,... Even if he acted freely,... The issue is more complicated because... | Are you saying that...? But how do we explain...? What about the possibility that...? |
Context
Student A
Defend the Deep Self View. Argue that JoJo’s actions reflect his true values and commitments.
Student B
Defend Susan Wolf’s view. Argue that JoJo’s values were shaped in a way that reduces his blameworthiness.
Role play task: Discuss the case for five minutes. By the end, agree on one factor that increases responsibility and one factor that reduces it.
Thank You
You have completed the ESL CONNECT video lesson.