Welcome to today's episode of The Ethicist, where we dive into the intriguing question: Is it wrong to remove a card from Monopoly? A concerned grandfather shares how he took out the “Bank Error in Your Favor” card to teach his grandchildren the value of honesty. He argues, “The proper thing to do when there is a bank error in your favor is to report it and return the money.”

However, the response highlights an intriguing perspective—Monopoly is a game built on capitalism’s harsh realities. As the Ethicist points out, “We’re talking about a board game where players succeed by dominating market segments.” Removing a single card might gloss over the broader ethical dilemmas the game presents.

The advice? Bring the card back! Use it as an opportunity to engage with your grandchildren about ethical decisions in real life. The Ethicist concludes, “If your grandkids are still willing to play with a sermonizing card snatcher, they must really love you.” So, should gameplay shape our moral values? Let's keep the conversation going—after all, that's where the learning happens.
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