An ethical dilemma is a situation in which an individual, called the "agent," must make a decision about which course of action is best, and there are conflicting moral requirements, none of which overrides the other. Here are some key points about ethical dilemmas:
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Conflicting Choices: Ethical dilemmas arise when the available choices and obligations in a specific situation do not allow for an ethical outcome.
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No Clear Solution: Ethical dilemmas present problems in the decision-making process between two possible options, neither of which is absolutely acceptable from an ethical perspective.
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Compromised Ethical Principles: In an ethical dilemma, no matter what course of action is taken, some ethical principle is compromised. In other words, there is no perfect solution.
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Professional Context: Ethical dilemmas are especially significant in professional life, as they frequently occur in the workplace. For example, in social work, ethical dilemmas arise when a social worker must choose between two equally valid, mutually exclusive choices of action, both of which result in some sort of harm to a person or persons.
In summary, ethical dilemmas are complex challenges that do not offer an obvious solution that complies with ethical norms. They often require careful consideration and ethical decision-making to navigate through conflicting moral requirements and find the best possible course of action.
