Moral dilemma and its resolution

A moral dilemma is a situation where a person must choose between two or more actions, each supported by some moral reason, and no choice can satisfy all moral demands; whichever is chosen, some duty or value is violated.

How a moral dilemma occurs

• Conflict between duties: loyalty to employer versus duty to public safety (e.g. a manager asks to approve a weak structure to save cost).
• Conflict of values: honesty versus confidentiality; personal gain versus professional integrity.
• Vagueness or complexity: unclear rules, incomplete information, or competing codes and laws.
• Conflicting interests of parties: client, contractor, community and environment.
• Pressure: time, money, superiors or corruption.
• Different moral standards between personal belief, company policy and law.

Bases to solve a dilemma

1. Universal/natural moral law: values such as do not harm, be honest, respect life and justice, valid for all.
2. Utilitarian test: choose the action giving the greatest good to the greatest number.
3. Rights/duty (deontological) test: respect others' rights and the duty required of everyone.
4. Justice/fairness test: treat people equally, no one is unfairly harmed.
5. Virtue ethics: act as a person of good character would.
6. Professional code of conduct and law: NEC code, acts and contracts give clear priority (public safety first).
7. Practical steps: identify facts, stakeholders and options; weigh consequences; consult colleagues; select the most ethical option and be ready to defend it publicly (publicity test).