---
title: "Moral dilemma and its resolution"
subject: "Engineering Professional Practice"
chapter: 2
key: "semester_8/engineering_professional_practice:moral-dilemma-solving"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_8/engineering_professional_practice/moral-dilemma-solving
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Moral dilemma and its resolution

Engineering Professional Practice · Chapter 2: Profession and Ethics

- Asked in: 2071 Bhadra, 4 marks; 2071 Magh, 4 marks (asked 2 times)
- Video: [Ethical Decision Making: Kinds of Ethical Dilemmas](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3lWS-M-WWY) — Global Ethics Solutions
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_8/engineering_professional_practice/moral-dilemma-solving
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_8/engineering_professional_practice/chapter-2

## Question

How does a moral dilemma occur? What are the bases (fundamental laws of ethics) to solve or overcome a moral dilemma?

## Short answer

Moral dilemmas arise when conflicting duties force a choice violating some moral principle. Solve by applying utilitarian, rights, justice, and virtue ethics tests, plus professional codes prioritising public safety, and practical steps like identifying facts, stakeholders, and consequences.

## Answer

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).

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. What is a moral dilemma?
   A. Choosing between right and obviously wrong
   B. Choice between actions each supported by moral reasons where some duty is violated whichever is chosen
   C. An illegal act
   D. A disagreement about price
   Answer: B. In a dilemma no choice satisfies all moral demands, so some duty or value is violated. (Key point: Moral dilemma defined)

2. Which example shows conflict between duties?
   A. Loyalty to the employer versus duty to public safety
   B. Choosing a shirt colour
   C. Learning a new language
   D. Following a rule that is clear
   Answer: A. A manager asking to approve a weak structure to save cost pits employer loyalty against public safety. (Key point: Cause of dilemma)

3. What does the utilitarian test say?
   A. Follow the boss
   B. Choose the action giving the greatest good to the greatest number
   C. Choose the cheapest action
   D. Choose what benefits oneself
   Answer: B. Utilitarian test: greatest good for the greatest number. (Key point: Utilitarian test)

4. What is the publicity test among the practical steps?
   A. Announce the decision in the media before deciding
   B. Be ready to defend the chosen ethical option publicly
   C. Hide the decision
   D. Let the public vote
   Answer: B. Select the most ethical option and be ready to defend it publicly. (Key point: Publicity test)

## Related in Engineering Professional Practice

- [Ethics, moral action, perspectives](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fengineering_professional_practice%3Aethics-moral-nonmoral-perspectives) — Engineering Professional Practice, chapter 2
- [NEC duties; ethics vs moral behaviour](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fengineering_professional_practice%3Anec-duties-ethics-vs-moral) — Engineering Professional Practice, chapter 3

## Related in other subjects

- [The Mother of a Traitor: mother's dilemma](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fcommunication_english%3Amother-of-a-traitor-dilemma) — Communication English, chapter 2, asked 2×
- [Resolution: Marcus and Caesar](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fartificial_intelligence%3Aresolution-pompeian-caesar) — Artificial Intelligence, chapter 4