What is a moral dillemma?

Question

Just want to know, basically. Thanks to everyone who answers.

Answer 1

A moral dilemma is problem in which there is no clear right or wrong resolution
For example: If all your friends are cheating on a test, you are faced with a moral dilemma: Should you tell the teacher or keep quiet so that you don't lose your friends?
If you truly believe that telling a lie is a sin, do you lie to save someone from receiving an unjust beating. Example: Viet Cong POW camps.

Answer 2

Dilemma means you have two choices and it's very hard to choose between them because there are compelling reasons to choose both.

A good example would be euthanasia for terminally ill people. On one hand, people might say, well, it's wrong to commit suicide and you have to just wait to die when it comes naturally.

On the other hand, people might say, you shouldn't be expected to suffer when you could end your suffering yourself. They might also say that people don't choose to be born, and they should have the right to leave a life they don't want.

Moral dilemmas tend to be issues that are religiously/spiritually charged, or they revolve around things that are against the law, but the law seems cruel or stupid.

Like the dude in Les Miserables who steals bread. Stealing is wrong...but he's starving. Should there be an exception made under extreme circumstances?

Answer 3

You need to make a choice based on moral values & the situation doesn't look good. That puts you between a rock & a hard place.

steadfast1

Answer 4

I believe a moral dillemma is when you know a ceartain action needs to be taken but your concience tells you its wrong.

Answer 5

A conscious decision about morals. Right from wrong, and all that.