MORAL DELIMmAS

Lesson 2
 Introduction
This lesson is focused on moral dilemmas specifically on its
definition, situations cases where moral dilemmas are
present, and it's three (3) levels namely: individual,
organizational, and structural. In the three levels of moral
dilemma, common ethical issues in the organization will be
highlighted, several factors that an individual is facing such as
peer pressure, personal financial position, and economic and
social status which cause dilemma to an individual and the
concepts to consider in the individual moral dilemma.
Learning Objectives:
After studying this lesson, you should be able to:
1. Define moral dilemmas and set out situations.
2. Identify the different types of moral delimmas.
3. Explain the three levels of moral dilemmas.
4. Discuss several factors affecting the organization,
structure and individual.
Delima???
•is a situation where a person is forced to
choosed between two or more conflicting
options, neither of which is acceptable.
What is Moral Delima?
• a moral dilemma is a situation in which a
decision-maker must give preference to one moral
principle over another.
• a situation in which a person is torn between right
and wrong and looks at the very core of a person's
moral principles, values, and personal philosophy.
• a situation where moral values are equally
significant;
Examples of Moral Delimmas
 The classic “lifeboat dilemma”, where there are only 10 spaces in the
lifeboat, but there are 11 passengers on the sinking ship. A decision must
be made as to who will stay behind.
 A train with broken brakes is speeding towards a fork in the tracks. On the
left, there is a woman crossing with her two children; on the right, there is
a man doing routine maintenance on the tracks. The engineer must
decide which side to aim the speeding train towards. This is called the
"Trolley Problem" and is frequently discussed in moral theory.
 A husband learns he has a terminal illness and he decides to ask his wife
for assistance in ending the pain before it gets too bad.
 A friend discovers her best friend’s boyfriend is cheating. She must decide
whether to tell her friend or keep it a secret.
Types Of Moral Dilemmas
1. Epistemic: This type of moral dilemma
is when the person has no idea which
option is the most morally acceptable.
Although in many moral dilemmas it can
be somewhat clear which option should
take precedence, in the epistemic moral
dilemma, the matter is ambiguous.
Types Of Moral Dilemmas
2. Ontological: This is a moral dilemma in
which the options available are equal in
every respect. The person knows and has a
clear understanding that both options are
equivalent. Most experts on morality
agree that ontological moral dilemmas are
genuine dilemmas.
Types Of Moral Dilemmas
3. Self-imposed: This is the type of moral
dilemma that the person has created
themselves. They have engaged in a
wrongdoing of some kind and are then
faced with resolving the matter.
Types Of Moral Dilemmas
4. World-imposed: When the moral
dilemma is brought about by others and
the person must resolve the matter, it is
referred to as a world-imposed moral
dilemma, and is also often an example of
a social dilemma. The person is in the
situation, but not due to any wrongdoing
or mistake they are responsible for.
Types Of Moral Dilemmas
5. Obligation: Some moral dilemmas
involve options in which the person feels
they must enact each one. It is a sense of
responsibility to engage both options that
creates the moral dilemma. The tension
arises because they can only choose one,
but they are obligated to do both.
Types Of Moral Dilemmas
6. Prohibition: A moral dilemma in which
each option is reprehensible is called a
prohibition dilemma. Each option would
normally not be considered due to its
unethical nature. However, the person
must choose.
Three (3) Levels of Moral Delimmas
1. ORGANIZATIONAL ETHICAL OR MORAL DILEMMA
an organizational ethical dilemma refers to a
situation that causes an organization to respond
negatively or positively to an ethical issue that
affects staff, shareholders, and society, as well as
corporate ethics and customers.
Three (3) Levels of Moral Delimmas
Common ethical issues in the organization such as:
1. Unethical leadership/bad leadership behavior.
2. Toxic workplace culture.
3. Discrimination and harassment/ Peril of employee
favoritism.
4. Unrealistic and conflicting goals.
5. Use of the organization’s technology, social media use,
technology, and privacy concerns.
6. Business travel ethics.
Three (3) Levels of Moral Delimmas
2. INDIVIDUAL MORAL DILEMMA
 pertains to a situation where individuals confront
with a number of factors such as peer pressure,
personal financial position, an economic and social
status which may influence all individual ethical
standards.
Three (3) Levels of Moral Delimmas
3. STRUCTURAL MORAL DILEMMA
 selecting a proper system of responsibilities and
relationships, which is a continuing universal
challenge.
Three (3) Levels of Moral Delimmas
There are four concepts in the structural moral dilemma to
consider namely:
1. Differentiation vs. Integration
2. Gap vs Overlap
3. Lack of Clarity vs. Lack of Creativity
4. Excessive Autonomy vs. Excessive Interdependence
Three (3) Levels of Moral Delimmas
To avoid structural moral dilemma then following characteristics
must be maintained:
(1) Must have well-distributed jobs and the laws, policies,
rules, and regulations must be balanced through lateral
approaches.
(2) Must have an implicitly defined job description, roles,
and duties to evade from gaps and overlaps.
(3) Must have a clear-cut expectation of the tasks in a wide
range of goals.
(4) Must have a well-balanced interdependence and
coordination.
Activity:
Role-Playing Scenarios:
• Develop role-playing scenarios that depict moral
dilemmas related to interpersonal relationships,
professional settings, or societal issues.
• Assign roles to your groupmates and have them enact the
scenarios, making decisions and responding to
challenges as their assigned characters.
• After each role-play, debrief by discussing the decisions
made, the reasoning behind them, and the implications of
those decisions.
Assignment:
Questions to ponder:
1. What is your definition of moral dilemma? In your
opinion,
2. Differentiate the three levels of moral dilemma and
cite an example to each level.
3. Which is difficult to face among three levels of
moral dilemma. Why?