moral delimma例子(一)

moral delimma例子(一)

Moral Dilemma

Moral dilemma refers to a situation where an individual

is faced with two or more moral principles that are in

conflict with one another. In such a situation, there is no

clear answer or solution - any decision that is made will

entail some level of moral compromise. Here are some examples

of moral dilemmas:

Example 1: The Trolley Problem

The trolley problem is a classic example of a moral

dilemma. It goes like this:

A trolley is hurtling down a track and will hit and kill

five people who are tied to the track. You are standing next

to a lever that would divert the trolley onto another track,

which only has one person tied to it. Do you pull the lever,

sacrificing one life to save five?

In this scenario, there are two moral principles at play:

the principle of utility (i.e. saving as many lives as

possible) and the principle of respecting individual rights

(i.e. not sacrificing a life without consent). No matter

what decision is made, it will involve a moral compromise.

Example 2: The Heinz Dilemma

The Heinz dilemma is another classic example of a moral

dilemma. It goes like this:

A woman is dying of cancer and needs a drug that costs

$10,000 to save her life. The drug maker is charging $10,000

for the drug, but Heinz (the woman’s husband) can only

afford to pay $2,000. Should he steal the drug to save his

wife’s life?

In this scenario, there are two moral principles at play:

the principle of respecting the law (i.e. not stealing) and

the principle of utility (i.e. saving a life). Once again,

any decision that is made will involve a moral compromise.

Example 3: The Lying Patient

In this scenario, a patient has asked the doctor not to

disclose a diagnosis of terminal illness to their family. The

doctor is torn between respecting the patient’s autonomy and

duty to disclose the diagnosis to the family.

In this scenario, there are two moral principles at play:

the principle of respecting the patient’s autonomy

(i.e. the patient’s right to control the information about

their illness) and the principle of beneficence (i.e. the

doctor’s obligation to promote the well-being of the patient

and their family). The doctor must decide whether to respect

the patient’s wishes and keep the diagnosis confidential, or

to disclose the diagnosis to the family in order to promote

their well-being.

Example 4: The Animal Experiment

In this scenario, a scientist is conducting an experiment

on animals in order to develop a potentially life-saving drug.

The experiment involves causing pain and suffering to the

animals, even though the end result may save many human lives.

In this scenario, there are two moral principles at play:

the principle of respecting the well-being of animals

(i.e. not causing unnecessary pain and suffering) and the

principle of promoting the well-being of humans

(i.e. developing a life-saving drug). The scientist must

decide whether to continue the experiment and risk causing

harm to the animals, or to abandon the experiment and risk

not developing a life-saving drug.

Conclusion

Moral dilemmas are complex situations that challenge our

moral principles and require us to make difficult decisions.

By understanding different examples of moral dilemmas and the

principles at play, we can better navigate these situations

and make decisions that are consistent with our own moral

values.

Example 5: The Insider Trading

In this scenario, a stockbroker has information about an

upcoming merger that will significantly increase the value of

a company’s stock. The stockbroker is torn between using

this information to make a profit for themselves and their

clients, and the ethical dilemma of using insider information

to trade stocks.

In this scenario, there are two moral principles at play:

the principle of honesty and transparency (i.e. not using

insider information to trade stocks) and the principle of

self-interest (i.e. making a profit for oneself and one’s

clients). The stockbroker must decide whether to use the

insider information to make a profit or to act with integrity

and not use the information.

Example 6: The End of Life Care

In this scenario, a patient is on life support and has no

chance of recovery. The family is torn between ending life

support and letting the patient pass away peacefully, and

keeping the patient alive with the hope that they may recover.

In this scenario, there are two moral principles at play:

the principle of respecting the patient’s autonomy

(i.e. the patient’s right to make decisions about their end

of life care) and the principle of beneficence (i.e. the

family’s obligation to promote the well-being of the

patient). The family must decide whether to respect the

patient’s wishes and end life support or to continue life

support and hope for a recovery.

Example 7: The Sweatshop Workers

In this scenario, a company is using sweatshop labor in a

third-world country to produce its products at a cheaper cost.

The company is torn between the ethical dilemma of exploiting

workers and the economic benefits of using cheaper labor.

In this scenario, there are two moral principles at play:

the principle of respecting workers’ rights and human

dignity (i.e. not exploiting workers for profit) and the

principle of economic benefits (i.e. reducing production

costs and increasing profit). The company must decide whether

to continue using sweatshop labor or to pay workers a fair

wage and respect their rights.

Conclusion

Moral dilemmas arise in everyday life and require us to

make difficult decisions that involve moral compromise. By

understanding different examples of moral dilemmas and the

principles at play, we can develop a framework for making

ethical decisions that align with our own values and beliefs.

Ultimately, the key to resolving a moral dilemma is to act

with integrity, honesty, and respect for all parties involved.