ETHICS PART 2: MORAL DILEMMAS

Situation in which a person is forced to choose between two or more conflicting options, neither of which is acceptable.

• Dilemma

• Moral Dilemma

• Moral Standards

• Ethics

A _______ arises when the choices involve human actions with moral implications.

• Dilemma

• Moral Dilemma

• Moral Standards

• Ethics

Three conditions must be present for a situation to be considered a moral dilemma

• The person (moral agent) must be obliged to make a decision about which course of action is best.

• There must be different courses of action to choose from.

• No matter what course of action is taken, some moral principles are always compromised.

• Are rules or guidelines that do not have moral implications but still guide behavior.

The moral agent does not know which option is morally right or wrong.

• Epistemic

• Ontological

• Self-Imposed

• World-Imposed

Neither of the conflicting moral requirements overrides the other. The moral agent cannot choose between them.

• Epistemic

• Ontological

• Self-Imposed

• World-Imposed

Caused by the moral agent's wrongdoings (e.g., making incompatible promises).

• Epistemic

• Ontological

• Self-Imposed

• World-Imposed

Certain events in the world place the moral agent in a situation of moral conflict.

• Epistemic

• Ontological

• Self-Imposed

• World-Imposed

More than one action is obligatory.

• Obligation dilemmas

• Prohibition dilemmas

• Single Agent

• Multi-person

All feasible actions are forbidden.

• Obligation dilemmas

• Prohibition dilemmas

• Single Agent

• Multi-person

One person is compelled to act on two or more equally same moral options but cannot do both.

• Obligation dilemmas

• Prohibition dilemmas

• Single Agent

• Multi-person