CHAPTER 2: MORAL DILEMMAS
Moral Dilemmas
situations in which the decision-maker must consider two or more moral values or
duties but can only honor one of them; thus, the individual will violate at least one
important moral concern, regardless of the decision.
situation where a person is forced to choose between two or more conflicting
options, neither of which is acceptable.
The key here is that the person has choices to make that will all have results he/she
does not want. For example, a town mayor faces a dilemma about how to protect
and preserve a virgin forest and at the same time allow miners and loggers for
economic development in the town.
It must be noted, however, that if a person is in a difficult situation but is not forced
to choose between two or more options, then that person is not in a dilemma.
The least that we can say is that, that person is just experiencing a problematic or
distressful situation.
Thus, the most logical thing to do for that person is to look for alternatives or
solutions to address the problem.
When dilemmas involve human actions which have moral implications, they are
called ethical or moral dilemmas.
Moral dilemmas, therefore, are situations where persons, who are called “moral
agents” in ethics, are forced to choose between two or more conflicting options,
neither of which resolves the situation in a morally acceptable manner.
Consider the following example:
Lindsay is a deeply religious person; hence, she considers killing
humans absolutely wrong. Unfortunately, it is found out that Lindsay is
having an ectopic pregnancy. As is well known, an ectopic pregnancy is a
type of pregnancy that occurs outside the uterus, most commonly in the
fallopian tubes. In other words, in ectopic pregnancy, the fetus does not
develop in the uterus.
Now, if this happens, the development of the fetus will definitely
endanger the mother. Thus, if Lindsay continues with her pregnancy, then
there is a big possibility that she will die.
According to experts, the best way to save Lindsay’s life is to abort
the fetus, which necessarily implies killing the fetus. If we do not abort the
fetus, then Lindsay, as well as the fetus, will die.
Moral Dilemmas
situations in which the decision-maker must consider two or more moral values or
duties but can only honor one of them; thus, the individual will violate at least one
important moral concern, regardless of the decision.
situation where a person is forced to choose between two or more conflicting
options, neither of which is acceptable.
The key here is that the person has choices to make that will all have results he/she
does not want. For example, a town mayor faces a dilemma about how to protect
and preserve a virgin forest and at the same time allow miners and loggers for
economic development in the town.
It must be noted, however, that if a person is in a difficult situation but is not forced
to choose between two or more options, then that person is not in a dilemma.
The least that we can say is that, that person is just experiencing a problematic or
distressful situation.
Thus, the most logical thing to do for that person is to look for alternatives or
solutions to address the problem.
When dilemmas involve human actions which have moral implications, they are
called ethical or moral dilemmas.
Moral dilemmas, therefore, are situations where persons, who are called “moral
agents” in ethics, are forced to choose between two or more conflicting options,
neither of which resolves the situation in a morally acceptable manner.
Consider the following example:
Lindsay is a deeply religious person; hence, she considers killing
humans absolutely wrong. Unfortunately, it is found out that Lindsay is
having an ectopic pregnancy. As is well known, an ectopic pregnancy is a
type of pregnancy that occurs outside the uterus, most commonly in the
fallopian tubes. In other words, in ectopic pregnancy, the fetus does not
develop in the uterus.
Now, if this happens, the development of the fetus will definitely
endanger the mother. Thus, if Lindsay continues with her pregnancy, then
there is a big possibility that she will die.
According to experts, the best way to save Lindsay’s life is to abort
the fetus, which necessarily implies killing the fetus. If we do not abort the
fetus, then Lindsay, as well as the fetus, will die.
