Gen Ed 8 (Ethics): Moral Dilemma
Right-vs-right
Moral Dilemma
- Situation where persons, who are called
“moral agents,” are forced to choose
between two or more conflicting
options, neither of which resolves the
situation in a morally acceptable
manner.
- Refers to the situation wherein we are
ought to make a choice between two or
more alternative or choices that
requires elicit standards that will either
compromise or violate one or some of
our moral values no matter what course
of action is taken.
- It is an unpleasant situation where you
do not know what or which way we
may turn because either way, you will
end up sacrificing one moral
principles.
Difference between moral and ethical
dilemma:
1. Moral dilemma – personal dilemma,
opinionated, subjective; based on the level
of structures (personal, structural or
systemic, organizational)
2. Ethical Dilemma – generally-accepted
standards; no levels, obligatory; obey or
disobey. (ex. CPA & other professional
standards)
Additional notes:
- You cannot go wrong if you go towards
the standards
- Some situations were requiring us to use
our moral principle than ethical values.
(ex. a context is requiring you to eat pork
sinigang and you are a Muslim, what are
you going to do?)
- Some situations, such as falsifying a
client’s statement just to win a trial as an
attorney, also have moral consequences
(negative).
- Moral dilemma do not only include worse-
than-worse scenario. Some ethical
dilemmas also had us focusing on right-vs-
right situation where we are ought to look
what was morally and ethically superior
and acceptable than the other alternatives
based on their intentions.
situation are called unpopular moral
dilemma where both situations are wrong,
yet you have to make choices. (ex. The
World is an Apple, where the only viable
option is to steal)
Moral Equations:
- Good action + Good Intention = Good
Positive Result
- Bad action + Bad intention = Good
Result (morally good, ethically
unacceptable)
- Bad action + Bad intention = bad
outcome
- Good action + Bad intention = bad
intention
Note: Good intention and result =
acceptable.
Conscience (little voice)
- Refers to our moral instinct that plays a
vital role in our development
- Positive conscience: morally
nourished, always pushing you to pick
the best possible actions
- Ego: satisfaction, pleasure, happiness
- Conscience vs ego, conscience always
prevail. Conscience balance everything
in our mentality.
Types of Moral Dilemma
1. Epistemic – There are two or more moral
requirements that conflict with each other;
the moral agent hardly knows which one
takes precedence over the other; lack of
contexts.
2. Ontological – There are two or more
moral requirements that conflict with each
other, yet neither of these conflicting moral
requirements overrides each other.
Neither of moral requirement is stronger
than the other. (ex. To whom shall the
doctor administer blood transfusion?)
3. Self-imposed – the moral agent’s
wrongdoing and irresponsibility is the
cause why the dilemma is happening (ex.
contradicting promises to mining business
ventures and giving protection to the
nation’s land)
4. World-imposed – certain events in the 4 – loyalty to the law and order
world, government or any organizational
5 - justice & spiritual of law
structure places the moral agent in a
situation of moral conflict. 6 – universal principle of ethics: application
of moral and ethical principles developed
5. Obligation – More than one feasible
from infancy – beyond maturity
action is obligatory; obliged and required
(ex. Sartre’s Student)
6. Prohibition – all feasible action or
situation is prohibited and forbidden (ex.
Sophie’s Choice)
7. Single-agent - a single agent has both
conflicting obligations.
8. Multi-agent - the actions are still
incompatible but the obligations concern
different people.

Levels of Moral Dilemma

1. Personal – own perspective
2. Institution – organizational structure
3. Structural or Systematic – nation-
oriented ex. Russia vs. Ukraine, Catholics
vs. Muslim, Terrorist vs. Government)

Kohlberg’s Stages
1. Pre-moral – sense of reasoning is
underdeveloped, self-centered, self-interest
- Obedience and Punishment
- Individualism and Exchange
2. Conventional – follow the policy of
schools, trying to socialize to the world
around you
- Good interpersonal relationship
- Maintains social order

3. Post-conventional – maturity phase

complexity of friendship, love; reciprocity
of emotions
- Social contract and individual regrets
- Universal principles

Stages:
1 – avoid punishment
2 – aiming reward
3 – good boy/girl