Ethics

1
Dilemma

Module 5 Dilemma

At the end of this module, you are expected to:

1. To understand the importance of dilemma to human reasoning
2. To help the learner gauge his level of thinking
3. To discern one’s level of maturity

What is dilemma
A social dilemma is an action situation in which an individual must decide on his own even
if it is against the socially-accepted norms. It is the situation that measure one’s maturity. Below is
the scale used by Lawrence Kohlbeg in human reasoning.

Lawrence Kohlberg’s sequence of moral reasoning

Situation: You are a loving husband/wife whose spouse was suffering from terminal cancer.
At present, you are unemployed and cannot provide medicine for your suffering partner. One
morning, your beloved was screaming in pain and you are forced to find ways to ease the pain or
better yet eradicate it. You went to a drug store that has just opened, and the guard was out at that
moment and the solitary sales agent was busy preparing herself. The medicine was there but you
are penniless to buy it, that is just within your reach and the chance was ripe to steal it. Will you
take the opportunity for your partner or back track to avoid committing?
Level 1: Pre Conventional Level – The concrete interests of an individual is merely rewards and
punishment. This is a childish mentality that are only encouraged or discouraged based on what
they can get from the situation at hand.
Stage 1: “Obedience and Punishment Orientation”. People stick to the rules to avoid punishment
Favor: If partner dies there will be trouble for you since you are the spouse and must make
a move instead of being idle.
Against: If you steal you might get caught if not your conscience will bother you, this means
that you have to make a move otherwise you will be punished by your conscience by not
doing so.
Stage 2: “Reward Orientation” – Rules are followed only for its benefits. Obedience occurred
because of the rewards. It means that the doer is only after what can he gain from the actions he
perform or did not perform.
Favor: If you steal and got caught just return the just return the drug and forget everything.
Somehow you might end up in jail but the wife is still alive just the same
Against: The sin committed is not that serious so a life term is impossible but it will still be
a lose-lose situation for this will temporarily save her life but may end up dead sooner or
later.

Course Module
Level 2: Conventional Morality – People approach problems as members of society and would like
to be a role model.
Stage 3: “Good Boy Morality” - Individuals show an interest in maintaining the respect of others
and is doing what is expected of them.
Favor: To be a good father is to do everything for his family that if you do not steal the drug
the people will label you as an “irresponsible father”
Against: If you steal the drug the people will tag you as a “criminal” and will bring dishonor
to your family.
Stage 4: “Authority and Social Order maintaining Morality” – People conform to what is right in a
society.
Favor: If you have a sense of honor, you wouldn’t let your wife die by denying the only
means of saving her life. You will feel guilty and this will haunt you for the rest of your life.
Against: You are aware that stealing is evil but the effect of that shall be more painful once
you are sent to jail. You will feel guilty and will haunt you for the rest of your life. You are
no longer honorable.
Level 3: Post Conventional Morality: People use moral principles which is seen as broader than
any particular society.
Stage 5: “Morality of Rights and Laws” – People do what is right as a sense of obligation to law and
society, however they can be modified.
Favor: If you don’t steal you’ll lose the people’s respect for you avoided the act because of
fear and not reason
Against: If you steal you’ll lose your social standing for violating the law, don’t get carried
away by emotions
Stage 6: “Morality of an Individual Principle and Conscience” – A person follows laws based on
ethical principles. Laws that run counter to principles are violated.
Favor: If you don’t steal and wife dies you won’t be condemned by society for you lived up
to your own expectations but did not live to your own standard of conscience
Against: If you steal the drug you will not be blamed by others but you’ll condemn yourself
for not living within your own conscience and your virtue of honesty.

References and Supplementary Materials

Books and Journals
1. Colendrina-Bucu, Luz et al; Introduction to Psychology; Rex Bookstore; Quezon City

Written by:
Christopher S. Espiritu
AMACC Caloocan Campus