GEC 8 ETHICS ASSIGNMENT

Meriam Kaye K. Llorente BSN-1

1. What is Moral Dilemma?
A moral dilemma refers to a situation in which a person faces conflicting moral
principles, making it challenging to make a decision or take a course of action. In such
situations, individuals may feel torn between two or more options, each of which involves a
moral or ethical issue. The decision-maker may find it difficult to choose the "right" course
of action because each choice seems to violate some moral principle or duty.
Moral dilemmas often involve complex and ambiguous circumstances where there are
competing values, ethical considerations, or principles at play. These situations may require
individuals to weigh the potential consequences, consider conflicting duties or obligations,
and navigate ethical gray areas. Resolving a moral dilemma typically requires careful
reflection on one's values, principles, and the potential impacts of each possible decision.
Examples of moral dilemmas could include situations involving honesty and deception,
justice and mercy, individual rights and societal welfare, or conflicting duties to different
people or groups. The resolution of a moral dilemma may vary depending on individual
perspectives, cultural norms, and ethical frameworks.
2. What is the difference of moral dilemma and False Dilemma?
A moral dilemma and a false dilemma are distinct concepts, and they refer to different
types of situations or reasoning.
 Moral Dilemma:
 A moral dilemma is a situation in which a person is faced with conflicting moral
principles, making it challenging to make a morally justifiable decision.
 It involves a choice between two or more options, each of which has moral
consequences or implications.
 There is a genuine conflict between ethical values, and the decision-maker often feels
torn between doing what is right in one respect and doing what is right in another.
 False Dilemma (False Dichotomy):
 A false dilemma occurs when a situation is presented as if there are only two options or
alternatives when, in reality, there are more possibilities or nuances.
 It is a logical fallacy that oversimplifies a complex issue by reducing it to only two
extreme options.
 False dilemmas can be manipulative or misleading, as they limit the available choices
and ignore potential middle ground or alternative solutions.

In summary, while a moral dilemma involves a genuine conflict between moral

principles, a false dilemma is a flawed or deceptive argument that presents a situation as
having only two options when there are, in fact, more possibilities.
3. Levels of Moral Dilemma
Moral dilemmas can vary in complexity and severity, and they may involve different
levels of ethical considerations. Here are some general levels of moral dilemmas, ranging
from relatively simple to more complex.
 Personal Dilemmas:
 These dilemmas involve individual choices where a person must decide between
conflicting moral principles or values in their personal life.
 Examples include deciding whether to be honest about a mistake, choosing between
personal and professional commitments, or determining the ethical course of action in
interpersonal relationships.
 Interpersonal Dilemmas:
 Interpersonal moral dilemmas involve conflicts between moral principles in
relationships with others.
  Examples include situations where one must balance loyalty and honesty, navigate
conflicts of interest, or make decisions that affect close friends or family members.
 Professional Dilemmas:
 These dilemmas arise in the context of one's profession or workplace, involving
ethical decisions related to job responsibilities, colleagues, clients, or the broader
community.
 Examples include conflicts of interest, ethical considerations in decision-making
processes, or dilemmas related to corporate social responsibility.
 Social Dilemmas:
 Social moral dilemmas extend beyond individual or professional spheres and involve
broader societal or community considerations.
 Examples include issues related to justice, distributive justice, societal norms, and the
greater good.
 Global Dilemmas:
 Global moral dilemmas encompass ethical challenges on a large scale, often with
implications for humanity as a whole or the global community.
 Examples include dilemmas related to climate change, international relations, human
rights, and global economic inequalities.
 Metaethical Dilemmas:
 At a more abstract level, metaethical dilemmas involve questions about the nature of
morality itself, ethical theories, and foundational principles.
 Examples include debates about moral relativism, moral objectivism, or the conflict
between different ethical frameworks.
These levels are not mutually exclusive, and a given moral dilemma may involve
elements from multiple levels. The complexity of moral decision-making increases as one moves
from personal dilemmas to global and metaethical dilemmas.