Learning Outcomes

At the end of the chapter, the students are

expected to:

1. Define the meaning of moral dilemma.

2. Identify the elements of moral dilemma.
3. Apply the divine and natural laws as basis in
solving moral dilemmas.
 
• Moral dilemmas are cases where individuals are
confronted with differing answers to the
question, “what is right?”
• Situations like these can place a person in moral
conflict, in which several alternative courses of
action has positive and negative outcomes.
• Conflict typically involves opposing values,
beliefs, and norms. Thus, conflict is rooted not
only in individual behavior but also in the
different values and norms of society.
• Moral dilemma relates primarily to the
principle of double effect which is rooted
in the teachings of St. Thomas. In his
work Summa Theologica.
• St. Thomas introduced the principle of
double effect in his discussion of the
permissibility of self-defense. He himself
holds that killing one's assailant is
justified. He argues, provided that one
does not intend to kill him.
The act of self-defense may have double effects:
1. First, the saving of one's life;
2. Second, the slaying of the aggressor.
• St. Thomas holds that since one's intention is to
save one's own life, the act is not unlawful.
• However, St. Thomas argues that the permissibility
of self-defense is not unconditional.
• The act of self-defense may be rendered unlawful if
a man in self-defense uses more than the necessary
violence.
 Important Elements in Moral Decisions
1. The evil effect must not precede the good effect. It
is a fundamental principle of ethics that evil may never
be willed directly, whether it be a means or an end to be
achieved. One cannot do evil so good may come of it. As
the saying goes, “the end does not justify the means.” 
2. There must be a reason sufficiently grave calling for
the act in its good effect. If this condition be not
fulfilled, then there is no adequate reason for the act at
all, and the act is prohibited in view of its evil effect.
The sufficiency of the reason must be determined by
the nature, circumstances, and importance of the act.  
3. The intention of the agent (person,
doer) must be honest. If the person
really wills the evil effect, then there is no
possibility that the act is acceptable.
Direct willing of evil is always against
reason and hence, against the principles of
ethics.
4. The act itself must be morally good
or at least indifferent.
 Steps in Solving Moral Dilemma
1. Examine the acts in relation to the agent. The immorality of human
acts are determined by examining the acts in themselves in their
relation to the agent (person, doer) who performs them. Know the
agent and the facts surrounding the act.
2. Determine the consequences of the acts. The second step of
testing the morality or immorality of a human act is called
“consequentialism.” The principle of consequentialism suggests that
one must look to the consequences of a human act to determine
whether it is moral or immoral.
3. Identify the intention of the acts. For St. Thomas, the morality or
immorality of the act resides in the intention of the person. If the
agent intends to cause harmful consequences, then the act is immoral.
4. Decide in accordance to divine and natural laws which govern moral
life.
 APPLICATION OF THE 7 STEPS IN
MORAL REASONING
1. STOP and THINK- it involves a step-back from the situation to
make sure that you do not act out of impulse.
2. CLARIFY GOALS- long-term vs short-term goals.
3. DETERMINE FACTS- an intelligent choice is one that is
supported by verified facts. Credible sources have integrity.
4. DEVELOP OPTIONS- develop alternative options.
5. CONSIDER CONSEQUENCES- consequences and actions must be
in accordance with the principles of justice and fairness.
6. CHOOSE- make a decision or a stand.
7. MONITOR and MODIFY- do not hesitate to revise your decisions
in the light of new developments in the situation.
 CASES: MORAL DILEMMA (APPLY THE
MORAL PRINCIPLES OF DILEMMA)
You are at your best friend's wedding an hour before the ceremony
begin. Earlier that day, you discovered definitive proof that your
best friend's spouse-to-be is having an affair with the maid of
honor, and you catch them sneaking out of a room together looking
wild. If you tell your friend about the affair, their day will be
ruined, but you don't want them to marry a cheater. What will you
do?
• Tell your best friend, sure the day will be ruined, but better a
day ruined than an entire life.
• Say nothing, because your job is to be supportive and
participate in your friend's happiness.
You are a doctor at a top hospital. You have six seriously ill
patients, five of whom are in urgent need of organ
transplants. You cannot help them, though, because there
are no available organs that can be used to save their lives.
The sixth patient, however, will die without a particular
medicine. If he dies, you will be able to save the other five
patients by using the organs of patient 6, who is an organ
donor. What will you do?
• Keep patient 6 comfortable, and do not give him the
medical care that could save his life in order to save
the other five patients.
• Save patient 6 and let the other five patients die,
although it is unfortunate, but that is not your call to
make.
Your family is on a vacation alone on a private beach with no
lifeguard. Your daughter and your niece, both 7, are best friends
and very excited and eager to get into the water. You warn them
to wait until the water calms down, but they disobey you and
sneak in anyway. Suddenly you hear scream and find them both
caught in a strong current. You are the only swimmer able enough
to save them, but you can only save one at a time. Your niece is a
not a good swimmer and likely will not make it much longer. Your
daughter is a better swimmer, but only has a 50% chance of
holding on long enough for you to rescue her. Who do you save
first?
• Save your daughter first, knowing that your niece will
probably die, but you cannot bear to lose your child.
• Save your niece first and hope and pray that your daughter
can hold on long enough for you to rescue her.
You are an eyewitness to a crime. A man robbed a
bank, but instead of keeping the money for himself,
he donates it to a poor orphanage that can now afford
to feed, clothe, and care for its children. You
perfectly know who committed the crime. If you go to
the authorities to report the incident, there is a good
chance that the money will be returned to the bank,
but leaving many kids in need. What will you do?
• Turn the robber in to the authorities, right is
right.
• Say nothing since the money went to what you
deem a good cause.
You are involved in a two-car crash on your way to work one
morning in which you accidentally hit and kill a pedestrian. As
you get out of the car, you are intercepted by a crying woman
who seems to think that she hit and killed the pedestrian. You
are not sure why she thinks she hit the person, but she is
convinced. There is only you, the woman, and the person you hit
on the road, there are no witnesses. You know that whoever is
deemed responsible will probably be sent to jail. What will you
do?
• Confess your responsibility, you would not be able to live
peacefully with the guilt of an innocent person being in jail
for a crime you committed.
• Let the woman take the blame, the thought of being
locked away from your life and family is too much to
consider.