Lesson 3 Discerning Moral

Dilemmas
Learning Outcomes

During the learning engagement, you should be able to

●  create and act out scenarios involving moral dilemma
explaining their thoughts and feelings on the given issues,
●  make decisions on issues involving moral dilemma, and
●  deepen understanding by creating your own moral
dilemma and practice in advance the Ethical Decision
Making Process (The 7-Step Moral Reasoning Model).
 Introduction

• Every normal, moral individual encounters a moral

dilemma, whether consciously or unconsciously.
• Dilemma is defined as “a situation in which a difficult
choice has to be made between two or more alternatives,
especially equally undesirable ones.”
• If you face a problem “but the solutions available to you
will only create another problem or worse create more
problems, then you are in a dilemma” (Gallinero, p. 9).
Gallinero continued:
• A moral dilemma is a situation where
• there are two or more actions that you can
possibly do,
• there is a moral reason(s) for doing such
actions, and
• you cannot do all the possible actions
presented to you; you only need to choose
• one.
• Since there is a moral reason(s) for doing each of
the possible courses of action that you can do, it
follows that no matter what action you choose
you will go against your sense of what is right and
wrong. That somehow, no matter what you do,
you are doing something morally wrong, but at
the same time you are also doing something
right.
Activity 1: Individual Discernment

• Direction: Choose only one between the two

given items. Which one do you prefer?
1. Final Exam vs. Fiesta
2. Boyfriend/Girlfriend vs. Parents
3. Siargao Escapade vs. Grand Family Reunion
 Activity 2: Individual Practice

Direction: Solve the following dilemma (adapted by Gallinero, W., et.

al. p. 3):
Suppose you were in this situation:
• You are a junior executive for a firm. As it was your habit, you are
still in the office working while most of your officemates have gone
home. Soon, you find yourself in need of a file for your
presentation; so you texted Michael, your fellow junior executive,
to ask if he has a copy. Several minutes have passed, but Michael
did not reply. You called his mobile phone, but you only got the
automated voice saying the number cannot be reached.
• Then you remembered that a few days ago, you
unintentionally saw Michael’s password when he logged into
his office computer. Since you absolutely need the file now
(or else your project presentation will fail), you decided to
log into Michael’s computer without asking permission. As
soon as you gained access, you see that he left his email
open. Something in the email caught your eye, so you read
it. You see, based on what you have read that Michael is
making anomalous transactions in the company’s name.
• You thought about reporting him but you realize you will have to admit
violating company regulations on logging into someone else’s computer.
Even if you report him anomalously, the investigation will ultimately
lead back to you and the fact that you invaded Michael’s privacy. If you
confront Michael about his illegal transactions, you will have to admit
that you logged into his computer without his permission. However, if
you decide not to do anything, you will have to carry the burden in your
conscience and continue working with Michael even though you know he
is doing something illegal. You will have to live with the knowledge that
the company is losing money because of his dishonest transactions, and
that you did not do anything to stop him just because you knew about it
by invading his privacy. What will you do?
Activity 3: Role Play

Instructions:
• 1. There are three levels of moral dilemmas: personal, organizational and
structural. Your teacher will assign one level to your group.
• 2. Depending on the assigned level, your group will present a scenario
showing moral conflict faced by the following situations:
a) A person whose choice will adversely affect very important people in his/her life
(personal) Group 1 & 2
b) A business owner whose choice will adversely affect either the company or the
employee (organizational) Group 3 & 4
c) A high-ranking government official who needs to choose between implementing or not
implementing a policy not because it will affect the poor communities, but not
implementing it will also impact the environment (structural) Group 5 & 6
Activity 4: Big Group Brainstorming

• Direction: Brainstorm on the issues that

emerge in the role play in Activity 3.
Processing

• Visit the following website, and then answer the

example exercises given:
https://www.storyboardthat.com/articles/e/dile
mma (last accessed 13 July 2020)
Formation

• Direction: Say something about this line:

Man is the only creature who is not only

capable of knowing but who also knows what
he knows.
Synthesis

• In this lesson, you will learn how to face

moral dilemmas in an activity so that in real
life you will be able to face life’s
complexities.
Assessments

Do the following items:

1. Read the moral situation of your friends Kayla and
Gia at https://study.com/academy/lesson/moral-
dilemma-definition-examples-quiz.html (last accessed 13
July 2020). What will you tell the police during their
interview?
2. Make a challenging moral dilemma and provide a
solution to it.
Assignments

Do the following items:

1. Look for an issue involving moral dilemma and
say your piece on the issue.
2. Advanced Reading Assignment: Read the
topic, The Morality of Human Acts and Moral
Accountability (Fernandez).