What are some examples of ethical dilemmas?

What are some examples of ethical dilemmas?

Ethical dilemmas often involve situations where a choice must be made between conflicting moral principles. For example, a classic dilemma is the Trolley Problem, where you must decide whether to pull a lever to divert a runaway trolley onto a track where it will kill one person instead of five.

Can you explain the Trolley Problem in more detail?

Sure! The Trolley Problem presents a scenario where a trolley is headed towards five people tied to a track. You can pull a lever to divert it to another track, where it will kill one person instead. The dilemma raises questions about utilitarianism versus deontological ethics—should you act to save the greater number of people, or is it wrong to actively cause harm?

What are some real-life situations that resemble this dilemma?

Real-life situations include decisions in healthcare, like triage in emergency rooms, where doctors must choose who receives treatment first. Another example is self-driving cars programmed to make decisions in accident scenarios.

How do different cultures view ethical dilemmas?

Cultural perspectives can greatly influence views on ethical dilemmas. For instance, collectivist cultures may prioritize the welfare of the group over individual rights, while individualistic cultures might emphasize personal choice and responsibility.