Final answer:
An ethical dilemma involves choosing between multiple ethical options that cannot be taken simultaneously, whereas an ethical decision has a clearer distinction between right and wrong. Ethics is divided into metaethics, normative ethics, and applied ethics, each with a unique inquiry level and analysis focus.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ethical Dilemmas and Ethical Decisions
An ethical dilemma is a complex situation in which an individual must choose between two or more actions that are ethical but mutually exclusive, meaning that choosing one option will prevent taking the other.
These dilemmas often arise in situations where each choice has some moral weight, requiring careful consideration and moral deliberation to determine the most ethical course of action.
On the other hand, an ethical decision involves a clearer distinction between right and wrong, where one choice aligns with the established moral norms and principles, and the other does not.
Fields of Ethics
Metaethics explores the nature, origin, and meaning of ethical concepts, questioning the foundation of our moral values and the language we use to express them.
Normative ethics is concerned with defining moral standards and principles that guide right and wrong behavior. Applied ethics is the practical application of these ethical principles to real-world situations, involving concrete issues such as environmental policies, business practices, and medical decisions.
In the study of applied ethics, scholars and philosophers analyze scenarios like environmental conservation, fairness in the workplace, or healthcare dilemmas to discern what actions are morally acceptable. The goal is to apply diverse ethical theories and perspectives to reach a well-reasoned conclusion about the ethical rightness of specific actions.