Ethical Dilemma

Ethical Dilemma
Ethical Dilemma is “Dharma Sankat”
Trolly Problem
Trolly Problem
Trolly Problem
 Insights through the trolley problem
• The Trolley Problem is a thought experiment first devised by the
Oxford moral philosopher Philippa Foot in 1967
• There is no definitive solution. Like most philosophical problems, the
Trolley Problem is not designed to have a solution. It is, rather,
intended to provoke thought, and create an intellectual discourse in
which the difficulty of resolving moral dilemmas is appreciated, and
our limitations as moral agents are recognized
• Many people tend to think of the different ways in which the obvious
tragedies, namely the death of one or of five individuals, depending
on one’s choice, could be avoided altogether.
 Trolly Problem

I do not believe there will ever be a perfect solution to the Trolley

Problem, nor a consensus as to the best possible solution. All we can
hope for – and should hope for, as I have argued – is to utilize the tools
of philosophy as well as the scientific method to continue this
discourse. The Trolley Problem does not have to be resolved; it merely
needs to be contemplated, and to be the topic of our conversations
from time to time.
Definition - Ethical Dilemma
Definition - Ethical Dilemma
Salient Features - Ethical Dilemma
How do you satisfy yourself on decision
taken
 Options in Ethical Dilemma

• Hardest decisions are not a matter of one choice being right and the
others wrong.
• They know the arguments that stymie groups happen when "rights"
collide to create an ethical dilemma.
• As an example, think about a company after an acquisition. It needs
to merge two back office operations, but the managers of each back
office are at odds - which one gets to absorb the other? Each manager
is "right" to argue for the good of their department.
• This is an ethical dilemma called "good for the unit versus good for
the whole
 Options in Ethical Dilemma

• It's "right" to protect your employees as a department head, and

"right," on the other hand, to protect the interest of the company
• Four types of dilemmas:
• Good for the unit versus good for the whole.
• Good for the short term versus good for the long term.
• Truth versus loyalty.
• Justice versus mercy
• These dilemmas have been part of the human experience since the
dawn of creation. They are prevalent today and guaranteed to drive
people crazy in the future.
 Options in Ethical Dilemma

• How do we resolve
• Use the AND paradigm
• Think about outcomes
• three ways to make the best choice when faced with these types of
dilemmas:
• Ends-based: Select the option that generates the most good for the most
people.
• Rule-based: Choose as if you're creating a universal standard. Follow the
standard that you want others to follow. 
• Care-based: Choose as if you were the one most affected by your decision.
How to Solve Ethical Dilemma
 Two approaches to resolve

• Two major approaches that philosophers use in handling ethical

dilemmas.
• One approach focuses on the practical consequences of what we do;
the other concentrates on the actions themselves. The first school of
thought basically argues "no harm, no foul"
• The second claims that some actions are simply wrong.
• For the purpose handling ethical dilemmas, think of them as
complementary strategies for analyzing and resolving problems.
 Situation for a Ethical Dilemma

• Simone, a Chartered Accountant with more than 15 years’ experience.

A few months ago, she accepted a job at a new accounting practice.
• She has noticed her new boss is always on the lookout for ways to
bend the rules and get clients benefits they don’t deserve.
• This week he has instructed her to complete a return that’s been
manipulated in order to save the client hundreds of thousands of
dollars in tax.
• She is fairly certain that what her boss is doing is illegal and could
have her disqualified from her profession if she signs off on it. It is not
sitting well with her.
 Situation for a Ethical Dilemma

• As the primary breadwinner for her family, Simone needs her job to
pay the mortgage and school fees. She and her husband have also
recently begun renovations on their home. Simone is worried that if
she does not do as her boss requests, she will lose her job. But if she
files the return, then she could be disqualified as a Chartered
Accountant.
• Simone is not sure what to do.
• Should she finish the return?
• Should she raise her concerns?
• If so, with whom?
 Domains where dilemmas arise
• There are multiple domains of ethical dilemmas that can arise in your
professional life
• One of the most common is maintaining professional standards
• Another common ethical dilemma comes from conflicts of interest.
• A third type of dilemma surrounds confidentiality
• You might ask: why be ethical at all? If you can bend the rules
occasionally and derive a benefit for yourself, your business or your
client, and your chances of being discovered are low, then what’s the
harm? 
 Conclusion

• Research has shown that ethical organisations make higher profits, on

average, than those with lower ethical standards.
• A strong commitment to ethics can lead to better employee retention,
greater productivity, a better reputation with clients and customers,
and a more positive relationship with vendors.
• Consumers will pay more for products they know are ethically
produced. 
• It’s the feeling of unease when we’re asked to do something at odds
with our values. It’s what we’re doing whenever we ask ourselves
“what should I do?”