Ethical Dilemmas and Principles
Understanding the Nature of Dilemmas
A dilemma is defined as a difficult situation in which an individual is required to make a decision. These occur frequently in daily life when choosing between competing options or finding solutions to problems.
An example of a standard dilemma is choosing between attending two different colleges. An individual might be happy at both institutions, and both have specific pros and cons, but because survival as a student is only possible at one location, a difficult decision must be made. This is a choice between two potentially positive outcomes rather than a choice between right and wrong.
Defining Ethical Dilemmas
An ethical dilemma, often referred to as an ethical situation, specifically involves the process of deciding whether something is right or wrong.
The defining characteristic of an ethical dilemma is the potential for harm. If the wrong choice is made, someone or something could be negatively impacted.
Ethical dilemmas differ from regular decisions based on the consequences involved:
Regular Decision: Choosing whether or not to do extra credit for a Calculus class. If you choose not to do it, no one is harmed except possibly your own grade. Similarly, choosing between two types of shoes to buy is a regular decision because no one is hurt by the preference for one style over another.
Ethical Dilemma: Cheating on a Calculus test harms classmates and teachers through a lack of respect and by fraudulently passing off someone else's work as your own. Stealing a pair of shoes causes the store to lose money and may lead to employees being punished.
Identifying the right choice in an ethical dilemma is often difficult because there are no clear "signposts" to guide the decision-making process.
The Role of Ethical Principles
Making the right choice involves adhering to specific ethical principles at all times. Following these principles ensures that ethical beliefs remain consistent across various environments and situations.
Ethical principles do not change based on context; the same standards should apply at school, at home, and in the workplace.
Key principles of ethics include:
Accountability: Being responsible for one's actions.
Fairness: Promoting equality and justice, such as maintaining a fair classroom environment by not allowing cheating.
Respect: Showing consideration for other people, their property, and their feelings.
Transparency: Communicating openly and honestly without hiding information.
Integrity: Doing the right thing even when no one is watching; demonstrating consistency in character.
Rule of Law: Adhering to legal standards and regulations.
Viability: Considering the long-term impact and sustainability of actions.
Trust: Being dependable and keeping promises.
Common Causes of Ethical Dilemmas
Pressure from others: Being surrounded by unethical behavior can lead individuals to believe they should act the same way. This is sometimes extreme, manifesting as bullying or peer pressure to engage in illegal activities like drug or alcohol use. In business leaders may encourage unethical acts, such as a branch manager asking employees to falsify sales records to appear more successful in a region. This creates a dilemma where personal principles contradict authority figures.
The desire to prove yourself: The natural need for approval and respect can lead to unethical choices. For instance, a new employee struggling with deadlines might be tempted to lie to a boss about finishing a project to appear more efficient. In academic settings, the pressure to get good grades and impress teachers can lead students to consider cheating, as seen in the 2012 Harvard cheating scandal where many students were investigated for misconduct on a final exam.
Conflicting values: Ethical codes vary between individuals and cultures. What is seen as unethical in one culture may be the standard in another. For example, in some countries, bribery is an expected and accepted part of business. Labor standards also differ significantly across the globe. Additionally, personal friendships can create conflict if a friend believes shoplifting is acceptable while you believe it is wrong.
Greed: This is a primary motivator for fraud, theft, and bribery. Greed involves wanting things that have not been earned and being willing to do anything to obtain them. This can happen on a large scale (corporate fraud) or a small scale (an employee stealing office supplies because they feel underpaid). A common example is finding a dropped $20 bill and choosing whether to return it or keep it out of self-interest.
Bad role models: People often model their behavior after leaders, either consciously or unconsciously. If a boss or teacher demonstrates unethical behavior, such as a manager taking money from a cash register, subordinates may believe such actions are acceptable or find themselves in a dilemma regarding whether to follow that lead.
Lack of consequences: While integrity is about doing the right thing without oversight, many people rely on the threat of punishment to behave properly. If an individual believes they will not be caught or punished, they are more likely to succumb to unethical temptations.
Strategies for Making Ethical Decisions
Being trustworthy: Keeping your word and avoiding harmful social behaviors like gossip.
Respecting others: Valuing the property and rights of other people.
Living according to an ethical code: Keeping principles at the core of all actions regardless of external pressure.
Maintaining independence: Being your own person and refusing to succumb to peer pressure; remembering that you are in charge of your own decisions.
Practicing integrity: Behaving ethically even when no one is watching.
Evaluating viability: Thinking about the long-term repercussions. Ask: "What would happen if everyone acted this way?" and consider how behavior affects the long-term success of a school or company.
Following the law: Recognizing that many ethical dilemmas involve illegal behavior. Abiding by the law is a fundamental step toward ethical practice.
Questions & Discussion
What is an ethical dilemma? It is a situation involving a choice between right and wrong where picking the wrong choice can cause harm to others or things.
What does it mean to follow ethical principles? It means maintaining consistent ethical beliefs that do not change when moving between different situations or environments.
How can pressure from others create an ethical dilemma? It forces a conflict between one's personal principles and the desire to fit in or obey authority figures who are behaving unethically.
Why is the desire to prove yourself a common cause of ethical dilemmas? People often value the approval of others (bosses, teachers, peers) so highly that they may lie or cheat to achieve a certain image of success.
Explain how conflicting values can cause ethical dilemmas. Different cultural norms regarding things like bribery or labor standards can tempt an individual to violate their own principles because the behavior is considered standard by others.
How does greed cause ethical dilemmas? It motivates individuals to steal, lie, or commit fraud to obtain money or items they have not earned.
How do bad role models create ethical dilemmas? They set a negative example that others may follow, making unethical behavior seem normal or acceptable within a group or organization.
Explain how a lack of consequences can lead to ethical dilemmas. Without the fear of punishment, individuals who lack strong internal integrity are more likely to make unethical choices.
What can you do to ensure you make ethical decisions? Live by a code of ethics, be trustworthy, respect others, be independent of peer pressure, consider long-term effects, and follow the law.