MAREA MAE OLIVE S.

FERNANDEZ
12-BSA-03
MODULE 2
WHAT ARE MORAL DILEMMAS

ACTIVITY 1

1. As a student, did you encounter some dilemmas in your school? What did you do? Cite
examples of the dilemmas encountered. 10pts

As a student, I did encounter some dilemmas in school. Honestly, it is so hard to handle this
situation. I do my very best to decide what is the right thing to do or what I should do because I
believe that even in the most difficult choices, there is always the best and right choice.

The first dilemma that I encountered was on examination day in my school. I witnessed my
friend cheating during an exam and my mind was thinking if I should confront my friend, ignore
the situation, and focus on my test paper or report the incident to my teacher or school
authority. This situation was so hard for me but in this particular situation, I chose integrity
wherein I approached my teacher about the incident that happened, even though this person
was my friend, I really couldn’t tell it, my conscience was my opponent in this situation.
Additionally, I offer help to my friends like helping them in our lessons to prevent the situation
that happened before. The second dilemma that I encountered was witnessing a student being
bullied by a group of friends and I was like either to intervene and potentially become a target
yourself, or stay silent and avoid confrontation. But thankfully it ended in the right choice. I
choose to stand up against bullying by either directly confronting the bullies, seeking help from
a teacher or trusted adult, or supporting the victim in private.

Furthermore, I also encountered in school that my circle of friends were planning to skip
class. I honestly feel pressured by my peers. It's either to give in to peer pressure and risk
falling behind in your studies or prioritize your education over social activities. I am proud of
myself that I chose to prioritize my education by politely declining the invitation and explaining
my commitment to attending classes and achieving academic success. Those situations are in
right choices of my life, though I honestly have choices that have gone wrong and I am not the
perfect individual who always chooses right. There are times I have to choose the wrong for
the sake of this person. But trying my best to choose the best is a great improvement and
achievement already in my life. There is always one less detrimental choice.
ACTIVITY 2
Research a case study in any of the three levels of moral dilemmas: organizational,
individual and structural. Find out on how the moral dilemma was solved and if you are on that
situation, will you do the same? Explain. 10 pts

Harry Nelson's cancer is in its latter stages, and he has tried every kind of treatment.
Palliative care is currently being provided to him at the house where he raised his family.
He hasn't written an Advanced Care Directive yet. Harry's health worsens; he becomes
more and more dyspeptic and struggles to swallow food and liquids. Despite his extreme
weakness, Harry is conscious and knows that his time to die is running out. He has
consistently expressed his desire to pass away at home. Stacey, Harry's daughter, is upset
and dials for an ambulance because she thinks her father might survive longer with
additional care. She is particularly concerned that if he drinks, he might choke. A crew
arrives to find significant turmoil. Despite phone calls to the palliative care team, there
appears to be no way to reconcile the issue between Harry's desire to stay at home and
Stacey's forceful insistence on transporting her father to the hospital. According to
ambulance protocols, Harry meets the requirements for medical treatment and
transportation. The crew transports Harry over his concerns.

Harry Nelson is a stage-four cancer patient who has received all appropriate treatments
and now only receives palliative care. He wishes to die at home. However, when his
daughter called an ambulance, the paramedics took him away forcibly. This report will
highlight the ethical quandary of the nurse in charge of the patient, the underlying principles
that could apply to the case, the ethical theory that could aid in formulating a solution, the
applicable frameworks of justice, and the solution to the dilemma. Because the process of
seeking a solution will result in conflicting principles, one viable solution is to embrace
deontological philosophy.

The nurse in charge should adhere to the nurses' code of ethics, professional conduct
code of nurses in Australia, and the Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights. The code
emphasizes respect for human dignity and autonomy, and encourages patient engagement
in care planning. Nurses should resolve conflicts of interest while maintaining commitment
to patient safety and the integrity of the profession. This includes resolving a health conflict
between a daughter and father, while upholding the profession's objectives of providing the
best care. However, there is a conflict in protecting the integrity of the profession, as one
could either adhere to patient interests or force treatment, denying the right to refuse
treatment.

The Code of Professional Conduct for Nurses in Australia guides ethical dilemmas. It
emphasizes providing safe, competent care to patients, reducing suffering and prolonging
life. Nurses must respect patients' values and beliefs, but can also make informed decisions
by addressing their wishes. In Harry's case, the nurse must inform him of hospital care
necessity.

The ethical dilemma Harry faces is complex due to the conflicting codes and the
Australian Charter of Health Care Rights. The code for nurses suggests that medical
specialists should act according to the best interests of patients, but the meaning of 'best
interest' varies among specialists. This can lead to biased decisions that align with one's
moral theories. The Australian Charter of Health Care Rights requires patients to be
included in the planning of care, which could lead to bias without considering the best
medical care. Relevant case laws should be considered when choosing between patient
refusal of treatment and fulfilling professional duty of care. In Harry's case, his right to
refuse treatment presides the nurse's professional duty, but it is crucial to seek help from
senior professionals, as per the seventh provision of the Code of Professional Conduct for
Nurses in Australia.
In my opinion:

Harry Nelson's medical case highlights a difficulty in balancing professional duty of care
with the patient's freedom to refuse healthcare. Although the concepts of beneficence,
nonmaleficence, human dignity, and autonomy can be applied to the situation, they do not
provide a definitive solution because they indicate potential moral dilemmas. The codes and
international tribunals that govern nurses' profession also do not provide a definitive answer
to the question. As a result, similar case laws should be considered in order to determine
the best response to the situation. The nurses' code of ethics emphasizes working in the
patient's 'best interest' and including them in decision making. The Australian Charter for
Health Care Rights, as well as the code of professional conduct for nurses, both advocate
for involving patients in care planning. Nonetheless, consulting with a senior specialist may
help you make the best option possible.

Reference:

https://studyresearchpapers.com/an-ethical-dilemma-case-study/

QUESTIONS TO PONDER:

1. What is your definition of moral dilemma? In your opinion,

A moral dilemma is a scenario in which a person has to make a decision. When faced
with a difficult decision involving two or more possibilities, each one has ethical
consequences. It's similar to being in a difficult situation when we feel like were making a
mistake no matter what we decide. We can feel torn and uncertain about the best course
of action when faced with these challenges. They frequently occur when were caught
between conflicting ideals or ideas and what we believe is correct and what others demand
of us.

A moral dilemma is distinguished by the lack of a clear-cut solution that satisfies all
moral principles or values at stake. I believe it compels individuals to prioritize certain
beliefs or ideals above others, resulting in painful compromises. It acts as a critical test of
character and integrity, requiring people to keep their moral convictions in the face of
uncertainty and suffering. Individuals who address these challenges with honesty, empathy,
and ethical discernment can strive to make decisions that are consistent with their
fundamental values and ideals, producing a more equitable and ethical community.

2. Differentiate the three levels of moral dilemma and cite an example to each level.

There are three (3) levels of dilemma, according to Mañebog, Jensen (2021). The three
levels of moral dilemma are Organizational ethical or moral dilemma, individual moral
dilemma and structural moral dilemma.

First, Individual moral dilemmas are defined as conflicts between personal values,
beliefs, or commitments. These dilemmas usually arise throughout an individual's decision-
making process. A conflict occurs when a person is challenged to choose between two
crucial values for him or her. For example, deciding between one's obligations to his or her
family and one's affection for another individual. This includes personal dilemmas. It is a
case of darn if you do, or if you don't. For example, a person faces the moral dilemma of
whether to denounce a colleague for unethical behavior, knowing that doing so may harm
their relationship and maybe their own career development.
 Next is, Organizational ethical difficulties arise when an organization's ideals, aims, or
responsibilities collide with the ethical principles or obligations of its members. It is
confronted by institutions, businesses, or organizations in their decision-making process. At
this level, the difficulties that the organizations' experiences frequently influence more than
one individual and can be part of the Internal group or member of an external stakeholder.
For example, a corporation may have to choose between prioritizing profits by outsourcing
labor to nations with lower pay, potentially exploiting people, and upholding ethical
standards by investing in fair labor practices, even if it implies reduced earnings.

And lastly, Structural ethical dilemmas are conflicts that exist within larger cultural,
economic, or institutional frameworks and influence individual and organizational behavior.
Systemic injustices, inequities, or competing interests are frequently the source of these
dilemmas. For example, the government must decide how to divide resources between
funding healthcare and education, while acknowledging that emphasizing one area may
have substantial societal consequences and trade-offs in terms of public welfare and
economic development. Each level of moral dilemma involves distinct challenges and
considerations, whether at the human, organizational, or structural levels, necessitating
thorough ethical analysis and decision-making.

3. Which is difficult to face among three levels of moral dilemma. Why 30 pts

Among the three levels of moral dilemmas—organizational ethical or moral dilemmas,

individual moral dilemmas, and structural moral dilemmas—structural moral dilemmas can
be particularly challenging to face due to their systemic nature and the entrenched
inequalities they represent.

Structural ethical dilemmas are societal issues that are profoundly founded in systemic
inequities, power imbalances, and institutional frameworks. These dilemmas frequently
entail tensions between individual rights or interests and larger societal mechanisms that
perpetuate inequality and injustices. Systemic racism, misogyny, and economic injustice
are all examples of structural moral quandaries that affect vast sectors of society and can
be difficult to address due to their deeply embedded roots.

The complex nature and scale of structural moral challenges make them difficult to
address. These difficulties are multidimensional and derive from historical, cultural, and
institutional causes, making them difficult to untangle and handle successfully. Furthermore,
structural moral quandaries frequently necessitate systemic adjustments and collective
action to resolve, which can be difficult jobs requiring sustained effort and coordination
across multiple levels of society.

To summarize, while all levels of moral dilemmas provide obstacles, structural moral
issues stand out because of their systemic character, complexity, and entrenched
disparities. Addressing these issues needs collective action, structural change, and a
dedication to confronting power structures and advancing societal equity and justice.

Write your answers in a Word document and save it as a PDF. To save your file, type your name
program, and block e.g. (Renan Lester Ignacio 12 –BSA – 01). 20 pts.
Please be advised that late submissions will be marked as absent.

1. Plagiarism and Academic Integrity: Always remember to uphold the principles of

academic integrity. Any form of plagiarism or unauthorized collaboration will result in severe
consequences. Ensure that all work submitted is your own, properly cited, and referenced.

2. Early Submission: We encourage you to submit your work well in advance of the
deadline to avoid any last-minute issues. Technical problems or unforeseen circumstances
can
occur, so don't wait until the last minute