Final answer:
The statement is false. Ethical choices can lead to negative consequences, and ethical dilemmas are often complex with no straightforward positive outcomes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that if you make an ethical choice, such as pointing out a mistake in the grade a teacher gave you, or confessing that you broke something, there will never be negative consequences is false. Ethical choices are about doing what is right or moral, and they don't always lead to positive or non-negative consequences. In fact, sometimes doing the right thing can lead to personal detriment or negative outcomes. For instance, a student who confesses to cheating on an exam is likely to face academic penalties, but they uphold academic integrity. Or, when someone points out a teacher's grading error that was in their favor, they risk receiving a lower grade when the mistake is corrected.
Philosophers have debated such moral issues and decision-making processes for centuries. Consider The Euthyphro dilemma from Plato, which questions whether something is moral because it is inherently so, or because it is commanded by the gods. Furthermore, situations that challenge ethical norms, such as the choice between telling a lie and causing harm, underscore the complexity of real-world ethical decisions. The consequences of an action are central to consequentialist theories like utilitarianism, which suggests that the rightness of an action depends on the overall happiness or utility it generates.
It is also critical to acknowledge scenarios where there is a conflict between ethical duties. For example, adhering to the truth while also needing to avoid causing harm can put someone in a difficult position. Ethical dilemmas like these reveal that positive outcomes are not always guaranteed, even when making what appears to be the 'right' choice.