TOPIC II: Moral Dilemma

Introduction
It is expected that you have a clear grasp now of what is moral and non-
moral valuation. Also the differences of human acts and acts of man.

Now, the topic on moral dilemma is of significance. People especially the youth are
easily perturbed when they are confronted to make choices in their life. They do not know how
to deal with their problems and make choices to solve them. Their reaction is maybe to ignore a
pressing problem for lack of knowledge or skill to solve it, or that they just allow the problem to
persist which at the end of the day becomes more complicated and therefore more difficult to
solve.

Technology has made life very easy. Our life has been taken over by the invention of
instant technology. You name it; instant food, instant clothing, instant domicile, instant
information and people are getting married instantly without having to know much about their
future partner. This instant thing has psychologically made a deep imprint in the mind and
attitudes of people. People avoid what is complicated and those that demand significant effort
and anything that takes time. In fact, people avoid reading that takes time and thinking requiring
patience and energy on their part. Everybody prefers whatever is easily available and in unison
with the Frenchman they can say: Voila! Or, in Spain, Presto! People want to be like the
magician who makes things appear even in the most unusual and unexpected ways.

The problem; however, with this system is that it doesn’t work all the time. There are
more complicated matters that require deliberation and hard work to deal with them. At this time,
the instant choices or solutions do not apply anymore. The too easy life we live do not prepare us
to face the more complex situations. Too often, we live with unresolved problems and
undetermined solutions. Hence, the topic on moral dilemmas can help people decipher and make
choices.

Learning Outcome

1. Explain moral dilemma;

2. Demonstrate decision making in moral dilemma;
3. Perform the series of making choices in moral dilemma; and

Activating Prior Learning

A student gets a warning from parents that getting into a relationship and getting pregnant
while studying will mean discontinuance of all support to continue her studies. Despite such
warnings and admonitions, the student disobeyed and is now two months pregnant. What is she
going to do? She is afraid to tell her parents about her situation otherwise her parents will tell her
to stop studying. But she wants to finish her studies.

The predicament is, what to do in such a case? Will she resort to abortion and continue
her studies, or, tell her parents about her present status seeing the evil of abortion and continue
her pregnancy but stop schooling? What is a good alternative to her problem?

Instructions. You are given 10 to 15 minutes to be able to come up with a solution to

the question of what should be the right thing to do. Continue the pregnancy and stop schooling
or, abort the baby and continue her studies? You may choose your partner or do it with a T-
chart for your guide.

Presentation of Contents
Moral dilemmas are not rare. We often experience making choices in the face of
conflicting situations. Others are courageous to make up their mind and face their problems.
Many; however, are stuck and cannot make proper decisions. Or, they remain undecided and
allow others to make decisions for them. Let us face it, quite a number of students are not ready
to decide. Decision making is an everyday challenge that people make in their life but there are
no classes to teach about making decisions.

What is a moral dilemma? Moral dilemma is a situation of conflict. This occurs when two
moral points are in conflict and are confused. Or, it is a “more complicated situation wherein one
is torn between choosing one of two goods and choosing between the lesser of two evils… We
have a moral dilemma when there are a number of possible actions and there are compelling
ethical reasons for the various choices” but only one can be given preference and set aside all the
rest (Bulaong Jr. et al., 2018). In the first case where one has to choose between two goods, let us
study the case of Miss X who is offered a good paying job locally. However, she has always
dreamt of working abroad. She fears however that working abroad would separate her from her
family and the idea of separation makes her sad. She cannot divide herself and choose the two
possibilities. What would be a better choice for Miss X? In the second case, let us consider the
situation of a poor mother whose daughter is hungry but her situation does not permit her to buy
her daughter the food she needs. But she can steal food so that her daughter can eat. What would
be her choice? Allow her daughter to go hungry or steal food for her to be able to eat? A
situation of dilemma is complicated or difficult because out of two or several choices, there is
only one choice to make. What makes it more complicated is that there are cases when both
choices are evil. Which is the lesser of the two evils?
 3 Different Levels of Moral Dilemma

Moral dilemmas are categorized into three levels: personal, organizational and structural.

Personal Dilemma. It pertains to choices affecting the individual himself or herself. The
example mentioned above relating to the problem of schooling and pregnancy is a personal
dilemma that an individual has to resolve. Personal dilemma may also involve problems between
individuals. For instance, in a company, two very efficient employees who are both married get
involved in a relationship. Company regulations sanction married individuals who are involved
in illegitimate relationships. Having known about such relationship, what should the other
employees do about it? Suppose they tell the administration about this illicit relationship.
According to the rules, both of them would face termination from their employment. But the
people are aware about their importance for the company because of their qualifications.
Terminating these employees would be unfavorable for the company. If they don’t, they condone
illicit and immoral relationship within the company. The moral dilemma here is clearly whether
or not for the other employees to tell the administration about the existing illicit relationship of
the two employees of the company.

Organizational Dilemma. Examples of this type of dilemma would refer to business,

medical and public sector/company situation. Organizational dilemma has a broader scope and
would tend to affect every member of the organization. Solutions arrived at also have an impact
on the life of each member.

Structural Dilemma. This dilemma would include an entire network of an institution

and operative theoretical paradigm. The approval of the Bangsa Moro Law would fall under this
category of dilemma. It has the broadest scope of influence and impact of the three levels. In the
example given, the impact and effect of the approval would not only affect the people where the
law would be applied, but the entire archipelago. It is said that Mindanao desires to have its
autonomy. If you were to decide on this, would you approve the proposed law or not. Approval
of the law could mean peace and order in the region. But the move might result finally to
complete separation of the region. If the proposed law should not be approved, chances are; the
peace and order in the region will continue to be a major problem and will continue to drain the
national budget, the maintenance of strong army presence and conflict being heavily taxed on it.
What is a good alternative to follow?

Activity

Buzz Session. Group yourselves into five. Recall or think of a moral situation
where a moral dilemma is involved. Present the conflicting moral rules. Apply the steps for
moral analysis to resolve the dilemma.
ACTS WITH DOUBLE EFFECTS

In cases, an act performed produces two different consequences, one good and the
other evil, the act is said to have double effect.

In complete ignorance - the wrongful consequence is completely unexpected and

unintended.

In double effect- the wrongful consequence is expected and it can either be

unintended or intended.

So: A person whose act results in an evil effect, has diminished moral responsibility
over the wrongful consequence of his action if: 1. The act that brings about the double
effect is in itself good or morally different. The attainment of the good effect is the
intended effect. The evil effect is not perceived as a means to bring about the good effect.

For acts with double effects, the extent of moral responsibility is determined by
two general rules according to Duka, 2000.

1. The moral responsibility is perfect or aggravated if the person intends

the evil effect and the act performed bring the evil effect is in itself
wrongful.
2. It is exempted or diminished if the person intends the good effect and the
act performed to bring it about is in itself good.( Credit to the author
from which these notes were taken)

Summary
Moral dilemmas are situations when people face difficulties in making choices
or choosing an alternative from at least two or several possibilities that may be bad or evil.
Making a choice is not always easy especially when alternatives are either disadvantageous or
evil.
Exposure to the three levels of moral dilemma is important for you as students It is a
necessity to be aware that becoming a part of a larger community or institution will require
participation in a more complex moral situation or dilemma.

Getting involved in some complicated situations does not come from nowhere. These
originate from something. Your knowledge on moral dilemma and moral analysis can now
make you a wiser and better decision maker. You think twice before engaging in any gray
area. Somehow, it will help you avoid to be in complicated moral situations. It is important to
remember that deliberation is worthy of consideration prior to any decision or action.