How to Address Ethical Dilemmas

Ethical dilemmas come in many forms, but all have the same basic underlying issues. Kelley L. Ross, Ph.D, writing for the philosophy journal "The Proceedings of the Friesian School," says that moral dilemmas arise when a morally just action may cause negative effects--or when a morally reprehensible action may produce positive effects.

Think Utilitarian!

• Imagine that a runaway train is hurtling toward five people. There is a track-switcher lever beside you that would divert the train in the other direction, where one man stands. If you divert the track, you are basically murdering the man, but if you do not divert the track, five will die. What do you do?

  The idea behind utilitarianism is that choices should be made based on the number of positive and negative effects of each option. In the example, this is simple: either five die or one dies. Utilitarian philosophy says you should change the track.

Intervention

• Think about whether your intervention in the matter is necessary. In the example above, you have the ability to save four people's lives, but the train was heading for them anyway. Should you act? People's lives are obviously valuable things to be at stake; in this situation, you must intervene.

Trust Your Instincts

• People generally have a good moral compass, and in dilemmas, there is no ideal outcome. Accept negative consequences and trust your decision.