Chapter I: Understanding Morality and Moral Standards

Lesson 1: Course Orientation and the Importance or RuieS

Chapter UNDERSTANDING MORALITY AND

MORAL STANDARDS

Focus Questions
What are moral standards? How do they differ from other rules of
life?
. What is a moral dilemma? What are three levels of moral dilemma?
.Why is freedom crucial in our ability to make moral decisions?
What is the advantage of owning moral standards (morality and
ethics) over merely abiding by moral standards?
.How does culture define moral behavior?
What are the strengths and weaknesses of the Filipino character?

Are there universal values?

Lesson 1 Course Orientation and

The Importance of Rules

Intended Learning Outcomes:

To state what expected of me in

are this course

To explain the importance of rules

INTRODUCTION
in church, in the
Everywhere you go are rules at home, at school,
-

difficult and so should be

barangay. Do these rules make our life more
and orderly?
eliminated ordo these rules make our life more peaceful
community
magine your life, your home, your school, your Church and
rules.
Without rules. In this Lesson, we'll study about the importance of
 ETHICS: LIFE AS IT OUGHT TO BE

ACTIVITY1
1. Go over the course
to what is
syllabus
in
Appendix A. Pay particular attention
required and expected from you.
2. Clarify
points that need to be clarified with
Professor. your Instructor/

ACTIVITY 2
1. Form
groups of 5. Recall and share with
have to follow at school and the reason your group a rule that you
behind such rule.

ANALYSIS
Share with your small
group your answers to
.What if there were no rules? What arethese questions:
Are rules
Do you
important? Why or why not? possible consequences?
find them constricting? Why or
why not?

ABSTRACTION
Rules are
results from theimportant
to social
beings. Just imagine the chaos that
absence of rules. What
professorS alike come to school in happens when students and
happens when in the classroom any attire they want? Imagine what
Let's go out of
the
everyone wants to talk at the
same time.
classroom for more
traffic rules? Rules
can be examples. What if there were no
and other laws. expanded
What if there were no
to include the
Philippine Constitution
land? Constitution and other laws of the
Rules are meant to set
order. Rules
other laws
included) are meant for man. The(the Philippine Constitution and
preached emphatically, "The Sabbath greatest Teacher, Jesus Christ,
is made for man and
Sabbath". The law of the not man for the
meant to make man Sabbath, i.e. to keep it holy and observe
whole rest, is
spend time in prayer and by resting and by giving him time to thank and
For the sake of worship for his own good.
order in society, everyone is subject
democratic country like the to rules. In a
Philippines, we often hear the statement "NNo
 Chapter I: Understanding Morality and Moral Standards
Lesson 1: Course Orientation and the Importance of Rules
3

one is above the law," including the highest official of the country. We are
to rules or else court chaos.
all subject
Rules are not meant to restrict your freedom. They are meant to help Rules are not
vOu grow in freedom, to grow in your ability to choose and do what is good meant to restrict

for youand for others. If there are rules or laws that restrict your ability or your freedom.
laws. They are meant
strength to do good, they are suffocating laws and they are not good
abolished. Any rule or law that prevents human persons to help you grow
They ought to be in freedom, to
to
from doing and being good ought to be repealed. They have no reasons grow in your
exist. ability to cho0se
In fact, if you are a rule or a you don't even feel
law-abiding citizen,
and do what is
of a rule or law because you do what the law or
the restricting presence good for you and
should do. Looking from a higher point
what the rule states everybody for others.
when one acts not because rules demand it but
of view, this is the state
because one sees he has to act
that way. It is like saying one no longer
has become mature and wise enough
needs the rule or law because one
be done. This is an ideal state which the
ancient Any rule or law
to discern what ought to
referred to as state of no-more rules, that prevents
Chinese sages (Confucius, Lao Tzu) human persons
laws, because discern what is
people or good and do what
right numan
no-more from doing and
rule or law; people are no longer
is right or good without thinking or a
It is a state
|being good ought
can govern themselves.
in need of a government because they to be repealed.
the moral standard.
where one. owns moral standard not just abide by
the They have no
reason to exist.

APPLICATION

and not man for the Sabbath. What does

. The Sabbath is made for man

this mean? Illustrate with an example.

State the good that is derived
2. Rules/laws made for the good of man.
are
from the following school rules:

1. No ID, No Entry
15 minutes means absence
2. Student/Teacher Tardiness beyond
with suspension.
3. Any form of cheating is punishable
with dismissal.
4. Use of illegal drug is punishable
with
3 an example of a constricting
rule or law. What should be done
ve
it?
to
4.
ancient named Lao Tsu taught: "Leave the people
he Chinese sage
laws
laws and inner goodness will flourish." "The more
emselves, no
robbers will be." Do you
LCommands there are, the more thieves and
agree? Why or why not?
 Chapter I: Understanding Morality and Moral Standards
Lesson 2: Moral and Non-Moral Standards
5

Lesson 2 Moral and Non-Moral

Standards

Intended Learning Outcome:

Distinguish between moral and non-moral standards

INTRODUCTION
We often hear the terms "moral standards" and "non-moral standards."
What do these refer to? What about the word "immoral?" Is there such a
thing as immoral standards? Is immoral synonymous with non-moral? Let's
find this out in this Lesson.

ACTIVITY
1. Classify the following into groups: moral standards and non-moral
standards.
No talking while your mouth is full.
Do not lie.
Wear black or white for mourning; never red.
The males should be the one to propose marriage not females.
Don't steal.
Observe correct grammar when writing and speaking English.
Submit school requirements on time.
I f you are a male, stay by the danger side (roadside) when walking
with a female.
Go with the fashion or you are not "in".
Don't cheat others.
Don't kil1
When you speak pronounce words correctly
Focus the microscope properly.
Maintain a 36-24-36 body figure. -1 M

S NM g. M
2 M

1 M N
0 M
 ETHICS: LIFE AS IT UGHT TO BE

KANALYSIS
1. Analyze your groupings. Why do you
classify one
standards and another as non-moral standards? group as mor
2. What is common to those
listed under moral
3. What is common to the list of standards?
non-moral standards?

)ABSTRACTION
Ethymology and Meaning of Ethics
The term "ethics" comes
from the Greek word
"custom" used in the works of "ethos" meaning
Aristotle, while the term "moral" is the
equivalent. Based on the Greek and Latin Latin
ethics deals with etymology of the word "ethics"
morality. When the Roman orator Cicero
tempora o mores" (Cicero, 1856) (Oh, what time and exclaimed, "0
have been trying to what morals), he may
express dismay of the morality of his time.
Ethics or moral
with moral standards,
philosophy, is a branch of philosophy which deals
inquires about the
behavior or the goodness or badness of rightness
or
wrongness of human
deals with ideas, with personality, trait or character. It
topics such as moral standards or norms of
conscience, moral values and virtues. Ethics is a morality
of human acts and moral study of the morality
agents, what makes an act obligatory and what
makes a person accountable.
"Moral' is the adjective describing a human act as either ethically
right orwrong, or qualifying a
person, personality, character, as either
ethically good or bad.

Moral Standards or Moral Frameworks and Non-Moral

moral Standards
standards
Since ethics is a study of moral standards, then the first
are norms or question
for the course is, what are moral standards. The following are supposed to
prescriptions
that serve as be examples of moral standards: "Stealing is wrong." "Killing is wrong
theframeworks Telling lies is wrong." "Adultery is wrong." "Environment preservation
for determining
1S the right
what oughtto thing to do'". "Freedom with responsibility is the right way.
done or what is Giving what is due to others is justice". Hence, moral standards are norms
right or wrong that serve as the frameworks
action, what is or prescriptions for determining what ought to
be done or what is right
good or bad or wrong action, what is good or bad character
In the Activity phase of this Lesson the following can be classified as
character.
moral standards:
 Chapter :Understanding Morality and Moral Standards
Lesson 2. Moral and Non Moral Standards

Do not lie.
Don't steal.
Don't cheat others.
Don't kill.

Moral standards are cither consequences standards (like Stuart Mill's

utilitarianism) or non-consequence standards (like Aristole's virtue, St
Thomas' natural law, or Immanuel Kant' good will or sense of duty).
The consequence standards depend on results, outcome. An act that
results in the general welfare, in the greatest good of the grcatest number,
is moral. To take part in a project that results in the improvement of the

majority of people is, therefore, moral.

The non-consequence standards are based on the natural law. Natural
It is the "law of
law is the law of God revealed through human reason.
human life is in accordance
God written in the hearts of men." To preserve
the non-consequence
with the natural law, therefore it is moral. Likewise,
and on a sense of
standard may also be based on good will or intention,
of the other as a human person, an
duty. Respect for humanity, treatment wish
act that is moral, springs froma sense
of duty, a sense of duty that you
will apply to all human persons.
social rules, demands
standards are ...non-moral
On the other hand, non-moral
of action which should be standards are
and good They are guides
manners.
of etiquette Sometimes they may not be
followed or
social rules,
followed as expected by society. made
them. From time to time, changes
are
follow demands
Some people may not standards or
m a n n e r s or etiquette.
In sociology, non-moral ofetiquette
regarding good those where moral
non-moral actions are and good
Tules are called folkways. In short,
manners.
categories cannot be applied. and
non-moral standards are rules of good manners
They are
Examples of teachers, and guides of
rules of behavior set by parents,
gnt conduct, etiquette, standards of sports
blandards of grammar or language,
standards of art, action which
are "do not
eat with your
mouth
open; should be
y other authorities. Examples don't match." followed as
socks that
"ot
D C r V e rules of grammar,"
and "do not wear non-moral
this Lesson, the following are expected by
In the phase
Activity of
sOciety.
Standards:
full.
No talking while your mouth is
never red.
Wear black or white for mourning;
not females.
The males should be the one to propose marriage
and speaking English.
Observe correct grammar when writing
on time.
Submit school requirementsthe danger side (roadside)
when walking
y o u are a male, stay by
with a female.
are not "in."
GO with the fashion or you
 TO BE
ETHICS: LIFE AS IT OUGHT

8
When you speak pronounce words correctly.
Focus the microscope properly.
Maintain a good body figure.

An indicator whether or not a standard is moral or non-moral l

it compliance as distinguished from its non-compliance. Non-comun
with moral standards causes a sense of guilt, whilec non-compliance ians
with
non-moral standard may only cause shame or embarrassment.

Consequence
(tleleological
Classification of the Theories of Moral Standards
from tele Garner and Rosen (1967) classified the various moral standart
which means formulated by moral philosophers as follows: 1) Consequence (teleological
end, result, or
from tele which means end, result, or consequence) standard states tha
consequence an act is right or wrong depending on the consequences of the act, that is
standardstates
that an act is the good that is produced in the world. Will it do you good if you go t
ight or wrong school? If the answer is right, because you learn how to read and write
depending then going to school is right. The consequence standard can also be a basic
on the for determining whether or not a rule is a right rule. So the consequence
consequences of standard states that the rightness or wrongness of a rule depends on
the act, that is,
the good thatis the consequences or the good that is produced in following the rule. For
produced in the instance, if everyone follows the rule of a game, everyone will enjoy
world. playing the game. This good consequence proves the rule must be a correct
Not-only rule. 2) Not-only-consequence standard (deontological), holds that the
consequence rightness or wrongness of an action or rule depends on sense of duty,
standard natural law, virtue and the demand of the situation or circumstances. The
(deontological rightness or wrongness of an action does not only depend or rely on the
holds that the
rightness or consequence of that action or following that rule.
wrongness of Natural law and virtue ethics are deontological moral standards
an action or rule because their basis for determining what is
depends on
right or wrong does not depend
on consequences but on the
natural law and virtue. Situation ethics, too,
sense of duty,
is deontological because the
natural law, vitue rightness or wrongness of an act
situation and circumstances requiring or demanding exception to depends
on
and the demand rule.
of the situation or Rosen and Garner are inclined to
consider deontology, be it rule
circumstances. or act
deontology, as the better moral standard because it synthesizes or
includes all the other
theory norms. Under this theory, the
of
Wrongness of an action depends on rightness or

a) (or is a function of) all the following

or
consequences
the
of an action or
rule, what promotes one's greatest gooa.
greatest good.of the
greatest number; b) consideration other than
consequences, like the
being one's duty, orobligatoriness
or the act
or its based on natural law,
its
considers the object, promoting an ideal virtue. Deontology also
purpose, and circumstances or
situation of the moral
 and Moral Standards
Cha I: Understanding Morality Standards
Non-Moral
Lesson 2: Moral and
9

issue or dilemma.
wiun
All these moral standards ethical frameworks will be dealt
or

more in detail in Chapter IV of this book.

What Makes Standards Moral? For theists, God

For
The question means what obliges us to follow a moral standard? s the ultimate
are commandments
theists, believers in God's existence, moral standards sOurce of what is
to man through prophets. According to the Old Testament,
of God revealed moral revealed
who
Commandments were revealed by God to Moses. One
the Ten to human
in God vows to Him and obliges himself/herself to follow His Ten
believes persons.
For theists, God is the ultimate source of what is moral
Commandments.
revealed to human persons.
not the source or
How about non-theists? For non-theists, God is For non-
of like Confucius theists, Godis
morality. Moral standards are based on the wisdom sages
like Immanuel Kant. not the source of
or philosophers

In China, B. C., Confucius taught the moral

standard, "Do morality. Moral

to do unto you" and persuaded

standards are
unto others what you like others
the gentleman's based on the
people to follow this rule because it is the right way,
formulated a wisdom of sages
way. Later,
Immanuel Kant, the German philosopher, like Confucius or
moral standard moral. It is
Criterion for determining what makes a philosophers like
as follows: *"Act only according
to that maxim whereby you
stated Immanuel Kant.
universal law."
can at the time will that it should become a
same
cannot pass this test, it
(1993) In other words, if a maxim or standard
standard. For instance, does the maxim "Stealing
is
cannot be a moral
universal maxim?
wrong" pass this test? Can one will that this maxim be a
of the maxim would not be
The answer is in the affirmative. The opposite
that we want to be followed by
acceptable. Moral standards are standards
ill fortune. Can you wish
all, otherwise, one would be wishing one's own
"do not kill" to be a universal maxim? The answer has to be yes because
if you say "no" then you are not objecting to someone killing you. Thus,
the universal necessity of the maxim, what makes it a categorical
imperative is what makes it obligatory. "Stealing is wrong" means "one
Ought not steal" and "Do not kill" means "one ought not kill." It is one's
obligation not to steal or kill. Ultimately, the obligation arises from the need
of self-preservation.

The Origin of Moral Standards: Theist and Non-Theist

Related to the question on what makes moral standards moral is how
do moral standards arise or come into existence? A lot of new attempts to
xplain the origins of morality or moral standards have been made.
The theistic line of thought states moral standards are of
while 20th century thinkers claim state that
divine origin
they simply evolved. The issue
 ETHICS: LIFE AS IT OUGHT TO BE

10
is: Are moral standards derived from God, communicated to man throul
signs or revelation, or did they arise in the course of man's evolution? agh
With the Divine source concept, moral standards are derived
from
natural law, man's "participation" in the Divine law. The moral
"Do good and avoid evil" is an expression of natural law. Man's
principle
himself to respect the life, liberty, and property of his fellowman
obligino
The theistic
from the God-given sacredness,
arise
line of spirituality,
and of his dignity fellow man
It arises from his faith, hope, and love of God
and man.
thoughtstates
that moral With the evolutionary
concept, the basics of moral standards -

da
standards good, avoid evil have been observed among
-

are of divine
primates and must
evolved as the process of evolution followed its course. have
ongin. For Are these theist and
non-theist (evolutionary) origin of
the non standards reconcilable? moral
theisticline of The evolutionist claims that
thought, moral observed from man's fellow
altruism, a sense of morality, can be
standards primates- the apes and monkeys and,
must have
it can be said that the
altruism of human therefore,
primates. However, the persons evolved from the
evoved as
the process evidence, that the rudiments
evolutionist
cannot satisfactorily argue, with factual
of moral standards can be observed from
of evolution primates. Neither can it be the
folowed its that man's scientifically
established that the theist
obliging himself to avoid evil, refrain from view,
cOurse his fellowman, is a
moral principle inflicting harm on
But the implanted
concept of creation and evolution are by God in the hearts of men.
not
The revelation of the
norms of Divine necessarily contradictory.
like a
happening "in origin could not have been
man evolved to
one fell
swoop." It could have instant,
differ from the other happened gradually
as
creation may be conceived
as a
primates. As the
evolutionists claim,
story of creation could process of evolution.
have happened in
Hence, the biblical
days. billions of years instead of six

APPLICATION
1. Here are
two
questions:
a) Can one eat
while praying?
b) Can one
pray while
eating?
Which is a moral
question? Which is a
2. I did
non-moral question?
not dress
fail to
observe? appropriately
Moral or formally for
non-moral standard?formal party. Which did I
a
 Standards
and Moral
apter I: Understanding Morality Standards
Lesson 2: Moral
and Non-Moral
11

3. LadyB dressed indecently to expose her body. Which did she violate -
moral or non-moral standard?

4 In Fyodor Dostoevsky's The Brothers Karamasov, Ivan

Karamasovon
assesserted the famous line, "If God does not exist, everything is
permitted.
a) How does this relate to our lesson on source of moral standards?
Based on this line, what is the
of moral standards?
source
b The deeper and stronger one's faith in God is, the deeper and
stronger is his/her morality. Is this an implication of this quoted
line?
c) Using your knowledge of logic, what will be the continuation or
Karamasov's syllogism?

KEY TAKEAWAYS
Non-moral standards originate from social rules, demands of etiquette and
good manners. They are guides of action which should be followed as
expected by society.
Moral standards are based on the natural law, the consequence of one's
actions and sense of duty.
Moral standards are based on natural law, the law of God revealed
through human reason or the law of God written in the hearts of men."
"

Moral standards are based on consequences standards. That which leads

to a good consequence or result like the greatest good of the greatest
number is what is moral.
Moral standards are based also on non-consequence standards or sense
of duty that you wish would be followed by all. Respect for humanity,
treatment of the other as a human person, an act that is moral, springs
from a sense of duty, a sense of duty that you wish is wished by all and
applies to all human persons.
the
For theists, the origin of moral standards is God who "wrote his law in
heart of every person", the natural law.
For non-theists, the origin of moral standards is the moral frameworks
formulated by philosophers like Confucius, Immanuel Kant, Stuart Mill, et
al.
The evolutionist claims that the sense of moral standards must have
evolved with man not something that was implanted in every human
person instantly at the moment of creation. Creation as a process may
have taken place not only in 6 days as the creationist claims but in
billions of years as the evolutionist asserts.
For the theists, belief in God strengthens them to be moral.
 ETHICS: LIFE AS IT OUGHT TO BE

12

CHECK FOR UNDERSTANDING

standards.
standards non-moral
and
between moral moral? Explain your
Distinguish to be
a person
strengthen
2.Does belief in God
answer.

REFLECTION
to do anythi
which is moral than
It is more difficult to do only that that which ia moral
But you keep on striving to do only moral even i-
you want to do. that which is
makes you strive
to do only
anyway. What
difficult? Write your reflections.
 Standards
hapter :Understanding Morality and Moral Dilemmas
Lesson 3: Moral
13

Lesson 3 Moral Dilemmas

Intended Learning Outcomes:

Explain moral dilemma as a moral dilemma as a moral experience
Distinguish between a moral dilemma and a false dilemma

INTRODUCTION
After leaning moral and non-moral standards, you must now have
an idea of what a moral experience is. When you find yourself in a moral
dilemma, you are in for a moral experience. What is a moral dilemma? This
is the main focus of this Lesson.

ACTIVITYY
Read The Pregnant Lady and the Dynamite, then answer the questions
given:

A pregnant woman leading a group of five people out of a cave on

a coast is stuck in the mouth of that cave. In a short time, high tide will
be upon them and unless she is unstuck, they will all be drowned except
the woman whose head is out of the cave. Fortunately (or unfortunately),
someone has with him a stick of dynamite. There seems no way to get the
pregnant woman loose without using the dynamite which will inevitably kill
her; but if they do not use it everyone else will drown. What should they
do? (http://psychopixi.com/author/pixil)

ANALYSIS
1. What would you do if you were one of the men? Explain why you
decided to act that way?
2. The situation or the experience you went through is a moral dilemma.
What then is a moral dilemma?
3. Is finding yourself in a moral dilemma, a moral experience? Why or
why not?
 IT OUGHT TO BE
ETHICS: LIFE AS

14

ABSTRACTION
Moral dilemmas
aro situations Meaning of Moral Dilemma
where two or A moral dilemma is a problem in the decision-making betu
more mora
values or dutios
two possible options, neither of which is absolutely acceptable fro twee
make demands
ethical perspective. It is also referred to as ethical dilemma. The
on the decision- Dictionary defincs ethical dilemma as a "decision-making Drohi.
maker, who can between two possible moral imperatives, neither of which is unambiguo
only honor one uousl
acceptable or preferable. It is sometimes called an ethical paradox in mopra
of them, and
thus will violate philosophy." (Oxford Dictionary)
at least one Based on these definitions, moral dilemmas have the following
important moral
common: 1) the agent is required to do each of two (or more) action
concem, n0
malter what he which are morally unacceptable; 2) the agent can do each of the actione
or she decides 3) but the agent cannot do both (or all) of the actions. The agent th
todo. scems condemned to moral failure; no matter what she does, she will de
something wrong (or fail to do something that she ought to do).
Moral dilemmas This means that moral dilemmas are situations where two or more
present
moral values or duties make demands on the decision-maker, who can
situations where
there is tension honor one of and thus will violate at least one important moral
them,
only
between moral
concern, no matter what
he or she decides to do. Moral dilemmas present
values and situations where there is tension between moral values and duties that are
duties that are
more or less on more or less on The decision-maker has to choose between
equal footing. a

equal footing. The decision-maker is a deadlock.

wrong and another wrong.
The decision-
maker has to In the case Pregnant Lady and the Dynamite, there were
of The
woman but save the
choose between two options use the dynamite and kill the pregnant
a wrong and other 5 or don't use the dynamite and all the 5
will get drowned except the
another wrong woman whose head is out.
The decision pregnant
should
maker is in a To have a genuine dilemma, one of the conflicting solutions
deadlock. to protect others
not override the other. For instance, ".. the requirement
from serious harm overrides the requirement to repay one's debts by
borrowed item when its so demands." Hence,... "in
returning a owner

addition to the features mentioned above, in order to have a genuine moral

dilemma it must also be true that neither of the conflicting requirements is
overridden" (McConnell, T. 2019). This means that none of the conflicting
requirements is solved by the other. The persons involved in the dilemma
are in a deadlock. They find themselves in a "damn-if-you-do and damn-if-
you-don't" situation.
Another example of a moral dilemma is the story from the Bible
about King Herod. On his birthday, his stepdaughter, Salome danced so
well in front of him and the guests at his party that he promised to give
her anything she wanted. Salome consulted her mother about what she
 Standards
and Moral
Chapter I: Understanding Morality Dillemmas
Lesson 3: Moral
15

should wish for, and decided to ask for the head of John the Baptist on a
he king now had a choice between onoring the promise to his
platter. The
the life of John the
stepdaughter,the orBaptist
honoring Baptist. And Herod chose to
have John beheaded.
The king had inadvertently designed a moral trap for himselt, a
dilemma where whatever he decided to do would be morally wrong

Meaning of a False Dilemma

On the other hand, a false dilemma is a situation where the decision- .. a false
maker has a moral duty to do one thing, but is tempted or under pressure dilemma is
to do something else. A false dilemma is a choice between a right and a a situation

wrong. For example, a lawyer or an accountant can face an opportunity to where the

prioritize self-interest over the client's interest. decision-

maker has a
moral duty to
What to Do When Faced with a Moral Dilemma
do one thing,
Ultimately, dilemmas are conflicts in the application of moral but is tempted
standards. The question is which moral standards must be followed? In a
or under
state of emergency, necessity demands nomoral law. You have to decide pressure to
based on your best judgment or choose based on the principle of lesser evil
dosomething
or greater good or urgency. else.
There are 24 moral dilemmas listed by Pixi's blog. Refer to 25 Moral
Dilemmas, Pixi's Blog (retrieved/http://psychopixi.com/author/pixil)

APPLICATION
Defend answer.
1. Are these examples of moral dilemma?
cases
your

large industrial project in a

a) Anne is the project manager of
a

Nordic company. On a crucial day for

developing country, run by a
the entire plant.
the project, the electricity is suddenly gone from
are about to congeal in the blenders,
Large quantities of cement More than a
and it is crucial to activate them again, quickly.
unable to do their work. Anne contacts the
thousand employees are
A bureaucrat turns up at the
local authorities to solve the problem.
can get the electricity back on again very
plant and explains that he
that he can bring ten of the company's PCs
quickly, on the condition
is a desperate shortage of PCs there,
back to the town hall. There
and the bureaucrat and his colleagues are therefore unable to do
provide adequate service to the local community. Thus, he suggests a

trade-off: PC's for electricity. In this manner, Anne and her company
can make a significant contribution to the society in which they
 TO BE
ETHICS: LIFE AS IT OUGHT

16
operate lime is of the essencCe, and Anne has little time to d well
the alternatives. Then is n fime to contact top munagement i ,
home country to get adhce or instrutions about whar to d e
has to figurr this out byr herself. lf the cement congeals toda
mean a considerahle delay in the project. Several operations wil
wi
have to be ndone, at a high cost, particularly compared to cou
losing ten PCs that can be easily replaced. Anne also has symnast
athy
with the iocal burvaucrats and the population they are serving. The
will pmbablr make very good use of the PCs. On the other hand
she gives in to blackmail this time, the same may happen again, au
other crucial stages of the project. Anne faces a difficult choice. Wh
a
should she do?
Anne wants to honor the moral value of finishing the project
on
time and within budget, but also the moral value of not giving in. to
blackmail or corruption. One of these values will have to give way a
the expense of the other: There is no harmonious way out, where Anno
can say that she has done everything right.

b)The Deliberate Infection

Ken is a doctor One of his patients, whom he has diagnosed as
HIV positive, is about to receive a blood transfusion prior to being
released from the hospital. He has told Ken, in the confidence of their
doctor-patient relationship, that after he gets his transfusion, and his
medicine from Ken, he intends to infect as many people as possible
with HIV starting that evening.
Because Ken is bound by doctor-patient confidentiality, there
is no legal way to stop this man from carying out his plan. Even if
Ken warned the police, they would not be able to arrest him, since his
medical information is protected.
t occurs to Ken that he could contaminate his medication by
putting an untraceable poison in it that will kill him before he gets a
chance to infect others.
Should Ken poison this man in order to prevent him from
spreading HIV? (Source: htp://psychopixi.com/author/pixil)

c)The Unfaithful Wie

You are an emergency worker that has just been called to the
scene of an accident. When you arrive you see that the car belongs to
your wife. Fearing the worst you rush over, only to see she is trapped
in her car with another man. He is
shes been having an
obviously her over, with whom
afair.
You reel back in shock, devastated by what you have just found
out. As you step back, the wreck in front of you comes into focus. You
 Moral Standards
napter I: Understanding Morality and Dilemmas
Lesson 3: Moral
17
see
your WJe is
seriously hurt and she needs
attention straight awuy
Even y she gets immediate
die. 1ou attention there's a very high chance she
look at the seat next to her and see her lover Hes
heavily from a wound in the neck and bleealng
blood immediately. you need to stem
the Jio
you attend to your
wife, her lover will bleed to death, and you
may not be able to her anyway. If you work on the
save
save his life, but your lover, you can
wife will definitely die.
Who should
you choose to work on?
com/author/pixil) (Source: http://psychopixl.
d) You English teacher at a high school. One of your pupils is a
are an

very bright and gifted girl whom

you have always enjoyed
She has always achieved A teaching.
grades throughout her school years, and
is now in her final
year and getting ready to graduate.
she has been. very ill this Unfortunately,
term, and missed several weeks of
schooling. She has just turned in a report which is worth 40% of her
final grade, but you realize that she did not write it herself- she has
copied a' report found online and tried to pass it off as her own wok.
fyou report her plagiarisation to the school authorities, it will
be entered on her permanent record and she will no
longer be eligible
to attend the prestigious university
that she has dreamed of attending
all through high school. If you refuse to accept the report, her final
mark will be very poor and may harm her chances of being chosen
for this university. f you mark the paper as though you believed it
was her own work, she will do very well, and stand every chance of
getting her desired university place.
What should you do?
(Source: http://psychopixi.com/author/pixil)

2. Are these moral dilemmas?

Taking credit for others' work in order to get promoted
Manufacturing and distributing fake drugs for profit
Offering a client a worse product for bigger profit
Utilizing inside knowledge for your own profit

own moral dilemma.

3. As a group compose your
 ETHICS: LIFE AS IT OUGHT TO BE

18

KEY TAKEAWAYS
between two possible
A moral dilemma is a "decision making problem
acceptable or
moral imperatives, neither of which is unambiguously
preferable.
the moral obligation
A moral dilemma is a situation where person has
a
on moral
standards, but he
to choose between two options both based
the other.
one means violating
s h e cannot choose both, and choosing
a "damn-
two options. It is
In a moral dilemma, one is caught between
One is in a deadlock.
if-you-do and damn-if-you-don't situation.
the decision-maker has a
False dilemmas are situations where
or under pressure
to do
moral duty to do one thing, but is tempted
a choice
between a right and a
something else. A false dilemma is
where both choices are wrong.
wrong unlike a moral dilemma

CHECK CHECK FOR UNDERSTANDING

is True and F if is False.

A. Write T if the statement

1. A person persons in a moral dilemma

or can easily
choose which course of action to take.
2. In a moral dilemma, one course of action between two

options is obviously immoral while the other choice is

moral.
3. A person involved in a moral dilemma can choose both
options.
4. In a moral dilemma, a person has a choice for the good,
only that because he/she is tempted he/she ends up
choosing that which is not good.
5. In a mnoral dilemma, a person is torn between two no
good options
 Moral Standards
apler !: Understanding Morality and Dilemmas
Lesson 3: Moral
19
B. Divergent Roads
Do the divergent roads tell what a moral dilemma is? Explain you
answer.

REFLECTION
What is a moral dilemma that you have experienced directly or
vicariously (from reading)? Are you happy with how you addressed the
moral dilemma you went through? Or do you agree with how the moral
dilemma that you read was addressed? Write your reflections.