MORAL DILEMMA

In this article we will look at some examples of moral dilemma questions to help us define just what a
moral dilemma is. Then we will look at some moral dilemma scenarios, and end with ethical dilemma
questions one might actually encounter.

Share your thoughts in every situation:

An Office Theft
You are in charge of the petty cash at the office. However, a co-worker is responsible for making a
weekly trip to the bank to make the business deposit and obtain petty cash for the following week. In a
conversation with your mutual supervisor, you are asked if the increase in the petty cash amount was
enough. You, however, have not seen any additional money. You realize your co-worker has been
pocketing the additional money. Do you:

 Tell your supervisor you have neither asked for nor received any additional petty cash and that
you suspect your co-worker is pocketing the money?
 Tell your co-worker your suspicions and give them a chance to pay the money back?
 Say nothing and just wait to see what happens?

Ans: I’d choose the second one because I don’t want to accuse him that fast and tell to the
supervisor, so I'd rather talk to my co-worker first confront him/her and give that person a
chance so that the problem would not get bigger.

Get Rich
Your friend offers you an opportunity to make a great deal of money very quickly. He has arranged to set
up an off-shore account for your profits. He will not tell you exactly how he is making this money, but you
get the impression it is not exactly legal. He only wants an investment of $500 and promises you will
have enough from your minimal investment that you will never need to work again. Do you:

 Give him the $500, deciding if you don’t know how he is making it, you’re in the clear?
 Demand to know the details before getting involved?
 Decide you want no part of this deal, as you trust your instinct that the offer is shady and you
might even get in legal trouble?

Ans: It’s between the 2nd & 3rd one because at some point there’s nothing wrong if you will ask
some details about the offer, right? But at the same time instincts help us to avoid the further
risk so for the conclusion, I'd rather choose not to be involved with the deal nor offer. If my
instincts are right then much better but if I was wrong still better.
Midnight Death
You have worked years to be successful in your father’s business. You felt you were obligated to take
over as he worked his whole life to build the business left to him by his father. However, the large
businesses in town have seriously cut into profits and for several years you and your family have just
managed to scrape by. Your father’s health has declined and he has been hospitalized. He has a
substantial life insurance policy that expires at midnight. If he dies before midnight, you will inherit
enough money to pursue a career you have always dreamed of and provide adequately for your family.
Do you:

 Pinch the oxygen line making it possible for your dad to die or smother him with a pillow?
 Tell your dad the problem and let him suggest a solution and go by what he says?
 Do nothing as you cannot imagine living with yourself if you terminate your dad’s life?

Ans: I’d choose the 2nd one because I believe that in any problem there’s a solution and the
person is much important to me that money because you can earn nor gain money but that
person not.