Final answer:
A moral dilemma is a situation where a person faces conflicting ethical obligations, making it challenging to determine the right course of action. It involves careful consideration of different values and responsibilities to identify one's actual duty. These dilemmas can be deeply personal and often require a principled approach to decision-making.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Moral Dilemmas
A moral dilemma is a situation in which a person faces conflicting moral obligations where the fulfillment of one obligation would result in the transgression of another. These are typically challenging situations because they do not offer a clear-cut solution and force individuals to make tough decisions that can have significant consequences.
An example mentioned is deciding how to use a friend's car responsibly without knowing the correct fuel type and not being able to reach the friend for guidance. This exemplifies the uncertainty we face in moral dilemmas. A moral struggle occurs when it's difficult to discern what action aligns with one's ethical principles.
Decision-Making in Moral Dilemmas
Considering a Utilitarian approach involves calculating the greatest happiness for the most number of people, suggesting that the proper action is the one that maximizes overall happiness or welfare. The Euthyphro Dilemma challenges the basis of what is considered good, questioning whether morality is arbitrary or absolute.
Another cause of collective dilemmas arises when participants in a situation, such as political parties, have irreconcilable differences, exemplified by the debate over the death penalty. Here, there's no middle ground satisfying both sides, and ethical decisions must be made despite these differences.
People grapple with complex scenarios that involve balancing different ethical responsibilities to determine their actual duty. This complexity often requires individuals to adhere to a principle to guide their moral choices, acknowledging that the right decision might not always bring personal happiness. For instance, some may make a decision based on egoistic principles, seeking what makes them happy, while others make decisions based on what they believe to be inherently right, regardless of personal happiness.