CODE OF ETHICS
/DILEMMA
CODE OF ETHICS
• a set of rules about good and bad behavior
• is a guide of principles designed to help professionals conduct with
honesty and with integrity. ...
ethical code," may encompass areas such as
1. business ethics
2. a code of professional practice
3. an employee code of conduct
*ETHICAL OR MORAL DILEMMA
• A dilemma is a situation where a person is forced to choose between
two or more conflicting options, neither of which is acceptable.
• Dilemmas involve human actions which have moral implications, they
are called ethical or moral dilemmas.
• Is a problem in the decision making between two possible options,
neither of which is absolutely acceptable from an ethical perspective.
(Oxford dictionary)
SIMILARITY OF THE TWO:
ETHICAL OR MORAL DILEMMA
1. The agent is required to do each two actions which are morally
unacceptable.(one at a time)
2. The agent can do each of the action. (only one)
3. The agent can not do both of the action or simultaneously.
LEVEL OF MORAL DILEMMA
• INDIVIDUAL LEVEL OR PERSONAL
Individuals may have a very different set of ethical standards from their employer and this can
lead to tensions. Factors such as peer pressure, personal financial position, and socio-economic
status all may influence individual ethical standards.ex. Heinz-wife and medicine
• COMPANY LEVEL OR ORGANIZATION
ethical standards are embedded in the policies and procedures of the organization, and form an
important foundation.
• MACRO LEVEL OR STRUCTURAL
At a macro level, sometimes called the systemic level, ethics are defined and influenced by the
wider operating environment in which the company or organization exists. Factors such as
political pressures, economic conditions, societal attitudes
Arising from conflicting concerns among various sectors of society
*Suggested Macro Level or Structural conflicts
1. How to enforce a decision, policy or rule intended for everybody among
many difference or unique grps. and individuals.
2. Gap versus Overlap- roles and responsibilities
Organization end up Things become unclear and may lead
with no one doing to more confusion and even conflict
responsible and worse wasted effort.
3. Lack of clarity versus Lack of Creativity
4. Flexibility versus Strict adherence to rules
5. Excessive Autonomy versus Excessive interdependence
6. Centralized versus Decentralized Decision Making
Types of Moral Dilemmas
1. Epistemic moral dilemmas (conflicting duties)-the moral agent here does not know which option is morally
right or wrong.
Ontological moral dilemmas, involve situations wherein two or more moral requirements conflict with each
other (2 doctors- giving antibiotic)
2. Self-imposed moral dilemma is caused by the moral agent’s wrongdoings(support environment but hidden
mining project)
World-imposed moral dilemma, means that certain events in the world place the agent in a situation of moral
conflict. (choose 1 but if not 2 will be punish)
3. Obligation dilemmas are situations in which more than one feasible action is obligatory(an act or course of action to which a
person is morally or legally bound)
Prohibition dilemmas involve cases in which all feasible actions are forbidden.
4. Single agent and multi-person dilemmas
Examples:
1. EPISTEMIC MORAL DILEMMAS
- Heinz situation: Dying wife, need to buy medicine but he has no means to have it.(Stealing is a way?)
2. ONTOLOGICAL MORAL DILEMMAS
-Sen. Pimentel situation: wife is giving birth and he previously not feeling well. There is a lockdown
pronouncement.
3. SELF-IMPOSED MORAL DILEMMA
-
4. WORLD-IMPOSED MORAL DILEMMA
-The Spratly Islands dispute is an ongoing territorial dispute between China, Taiwan, Malaysia, the Philippines
and Vietnam, concerning "ownership" of the Spratly Islands, a group of islands and associated "maritime
features“
5. OBLIGATION DILEMMAS
-
6. PROHIBITION DILEMMAS
-
*FALSE DILEMMA
• Is a situation where the decision makers has a moral duty to do one
thing but is tempted or under pressure to do something else.
• Is a choice between a right and a wrong.
• ex: 1. Heinz situation-wife and the medicine
• Ex: 2. Lawyers or accountant-paid to do for their client
*Step in Resolving Moral Dilemma
1. Think of available alternative options revealing that the dilemma
does not really exist.
2. Choosing the greater good and lesser evil
3. “Ought implies I can” rule by Emmanuel Kant
4. “Do what you can where you are” by Joseph Fletcher
5. “Love and do what you will” by St. Augustine
