Moral DilemmasMoral Dilemmas
Moral dilemmasMoral dilemmas
A situation in which, whatever choice is made,A situation in which, whatever choice is made,
the agent commits a moral wrongthe agent commits a moral wrong
Moral DilemmasMoral Dilemmas
 Example from Book I of Plato'sExample from Book I of Plato's RepublicRepublic
Cephalus defines ‘justice’ as speaking the truthCephalus defines ‘justice’ as speaking the truth
and paying one's debts.and paying one's debts.
Socrates quickly refutes this account bySocrates quickly refutes this account by
suggesting that it would be wrong to repaysuggesting that it would be wrong to repay
certain debts (weapon)certain debts (weapon)
Moral dilemmasMoral dilemmas
Socrates' point is not that repaying debts isSocrates' point is not that repaying debts is
without moral import; rather, he wants to showwithout moral import; rather, he wants to show
that it is not always right to repay one'sthat it is not always right to repay one's
debts….debts….
Moral DilemmasMoral Dilemmas
There is a conflict between two moral norms:There is a conflict between two moral norms:
repaying one's debts and protecting othersrepaying one's debts and protecting others
from harm.from harm.
Moral DilemmasMoral Dilemmas
The agent regards herself as having moralThe agent regards herself as having moral
reasons to do each of two actions, but doingreasons to do each of two actions, but doing
both is not possibleboth is not possible
Moral DilemmasMoral Dilemmas
When one of the conflicting requirementsWhen one of the conflicting requirements
overrides the other, we do not have a genuineoverrides the other, we do not have a genuine
moral dilemma.moral dilemma.
In theIn the CritoCrito, Does Socrates confront a moral, Does Socrates confront a moral
dilemma?dilemma?
Moral DilemmasMoral Dilemmas
1.1. Something morallySomething morally
rightright
2.2. Something morallySomething morally
wrongwrong
Bad outcomeBad outcome
Good or betterGood or better
outcomeoutcome
Moral DilemmaMoral Dilemma
A woman was near death from a unique kind ofA woman was near death from a unique kind of
cancer. There is a drug that might save her. The drugcancer. There is a drug that might save her. The drug
costs $4,000 per dosage. The sick woman's husband,costs $4,000 per dosage. The sick woman's husband,
Heinz, went to everyone he knew to borrow theHeinz, went to everyone he knew to borrow the
money and tried every legal means, but he could onlymoney and tried every legal means, but he could only
get together about $2,000. He asked the doctorget together about $2,000. He asked the doctor
scientist who discovered the drug for a discount orscientist who discovered the drug for a discount or
that he let him pay later. But the doctor scientistthat he let him pay later. But the doctor scientist
refused.refused.
Moral DilemmaMoral Dilemma
Should Heinz break into the laboratory to stealShould Heinz break into the laboratory to steal
the drug for his wife?the drug for his wife?
(Why or why not?)(Why or why not?)
Moral StagesMoral Stages
 Lawrence Kohlberg (1927-87)Lawrence Kohlberg (1927-87)
KohlbergKohlberg
Kohlberg proposed that moral reasoning,Kohlberg proposed that moral reasoning,
which he thought to be the basis for ethicalwhich he thought to be the basis for ethical
behavior, develops through stages.behavior, develops through stages.
Moral StagesMoral Stages
Level 1: PRE-CONVENTIONALLevel 1: PRE-CONVENTIONAL
Level 2: CONVENTIONALLevel 2: CONVENTIONAL
Level 3: POST-CONVENTIONALLevel 3: POST-CONVENTIONAL
Kohlberg’s StagesKohlberg’s Stages
Level 1 (Pre-conventional)Level 1 (Pre-conventional)
Reasoners judge the morality of an action by itsReasoners judge the morality of an action by its
direct consequencesdirect consequences
Stage One: Obedience and PunishmentStage One: Obedience and Punishment
Stage Two: Individualism, Instrumentalism, andStage Two: Individualism, Instrumentalism, and
ExchangeExchange
Heinz DilemmaHeinz Dilemma
Stage One (Stage One (obedienceobedience): Heinz should not steal): Heinz should not steal
the medicine, because otherwise he will be putthe medicine, because otherwise he will be put
in prison.in prison.
Pre-conventional levelPre-conventional level
Stage One (Stage One (obedience orientationobedience orientation))
Individuals focus on the direct consequencesIndividuals focus on the direct consequences
that their actions will have for themselves.that their actions will have for themselves.
Socrates’ DilemmaSocrates’ Dilemma
 From the point of view of Stage One, SocratesFrom the point of view of Stage One, Socrates
should not die because…should not die because…
Heinz Moral DilemmaHeinz Moral Dilemma
 Pre-conventional LevelPre-conventional Level
Stage Two (Stage Two (self-interestself-interest): Heinz should steal): Heinz should steal
the medicine, because he will be much happierthe medicine, because he will be much happier
if he saves his wife, even if he will have toif he saves his wife, even if he will have to
serve a prison sentence.serve a prison sentence.
Kohlberg’s StagesKohlberg’s Stages
Stage Two (Stage Two (self-interest orientationself-interest orientation):):
what's in it for mewhat's in it for me position. Right behavior isposition. Right behavior is
defined by what is in one's own best interest.defined by what is in one's own best interest.
Socrates’ DilemmaSocrates’ Dilemma
 From a level two perspective, Socrates shouldFrom a level two perspective, Socrates should
not die because…not die because…
Kohlberg’s StagesKohlberg’s Stages
Level 2 (Conventional)Level 2 (Conventional)
People who reason in a conventional way judge thePeople who reason in a conventional way judge the
morality of actions by comparing these actions tomorality of actions by comparing these actions to
social rules and expectations.social rules and expectations.
Stage Three: Interpersonal Concordance ("GoodStage Three: Interpersonal Concordance ("Good
boy/girl")boy/girl")
Stage Four: Law and OrderStage Four: Law and Order
Heinz Moral DilemmaHeinz Moral Dilemma
CONVENTIONAL LEVELCONVENTIONAL LEVEL
 Stage Three (Stage Three (conformityconformity): Heinz should steal): Heinz should steal
the medicine, because his wife expects it.the medicine, because his wife expects it.
Conventional levelConventional level
Stage Three (Stage Three (conformity orientationconformity orientation))
Individuals seek approval from other people.Individuals seek approval from other people.
They judge the morality of actions byThey judge the morality of actions by
evaluating the consequences of these actionsevaluating the consequences of these actions
for a person's relationships.for a person's relationships.
Socrates dilemmaSocrates dilemma
 Socrates should not die because…Socrates should not die because…
Heinz DilemmaHeinz Dilemma
Stage Four (Stage Four (law-and-orderlaw-and-order): Heinz should not): Heinz should not
steal the medicine, because the law prohibitssteal the medicine, because the law prohibits
stealing.stealing.
Conventional levelConventional level
Stage Four (Stage Four (law-and-order mentalitylaw-and-order mentality).).
In stage four, individuals think it is importantIn stage four, individuals think it is important
to obey the law and conventions of society.to obey the law and conventions of society.
Socrates DilemmaSocrates Dilemma
 Socrates should die because…Socrates should die because…
Kohlberg’s StagesKohlberg’s Stages
Level 3 (Post-conventional)Level 3 (Post-conventional)
(Most people do not reach this level of moral(Most people do not reach this level of moral
reasoning)reasoning)
 Stage Five: Human RightsStage Five: Human Rights
 Stage Six: Universal Ethical PrinciplesStage Six: Universal Ethical Principles
(Principled Conscience)(Principled Conscience)
Heinz moral dilemmaHeinz moral dilemma
Stage five (Stage five (human rightshuman rights):):
Heinz should steal the medicine becauseHeinz should steal the medicine because
saving his wife is more important than obeyingsaving his wife is more important than obeying
the law.the law.
Post-conventional levelPost-conventional level
Stage Five (Stage Five (human rights orientationhuman rights orientation))
 People have certain principles to which theyPeople have certain principles to which they
attach more value than laws, such as humanattach more value than laws, such as human
rights.rights.
 An action is wrong if it violates certain ethicalAn action is wrong if it violates certain ethical
principles.principles.
 Laws that do not promote general socialLaws that do not promote general social
welfare should be changedwelfare should be changed
Socrates dilemmaSocrates dilemma
 Socrates should not die…?Socrates should not die…?
We are at level 3!!!!We are at level 3!!!!
Post-conventional levelPost-conventional level
 Stage six (Stage six (universal human ethicsuniversal human ethics):):
Heinz should steal the medicine, becauseHeinz should steal the medicine, because
saving a human life is a more fundamentalsaving a human life is a more fundamental
value than respecting the property of anothervalue than respecting the property of another
person.person.
Post-conventional levelPost-conventional level
Stage Six (Stage Six (ethical principle orientationethical principle orientation).).
Moral reasoning is based on the use of abstractMoral reasoning is based on the use of abstract
reasoning using universal principles.reasoning using universal principles.
(People rarely, if ever, reach stage 6 of(People rarely, if ever, reach stage 6 of
Kohlberg's model)Kohlberg's model)
Socrates’ DecisionSocrates’ Decision
Socrates chose to dieSocrates chose to die
because….because….
SocratesSocrates
Should we return the weapon then (accordingShould we return the weapon then (according
to Socrates)?to Socrates)?
SocratesSocrates
Socrates maintains that protecting others fromSocrates maintains that protecting others from
harm is the norm that takes priorityharm is the norm that takes priority
Our views have increased theOur views have increased the
mark of the 10,000mark of the 10,000
 Thank you viewersThank you viewers
 Looking forward to franchise, collaboration,Looking forward to franchise, collaboration,
partners.partners.
This platform has been started byThis platform has been started by
Parveen Kumar Chadha with theParveen Kumar Chadha with the
vision that nobody should suffervision that nobody should suffer
the way he has suffered because ofthe way he has suffered because of
lack and improper healthcarelack and improper healthcare
facilities in India. We need lots offacilities in India. We need lots of
funds manpower etc. to make thisfunds manpower etc. to make this
vision a reality please contact us.vision a reality please contact us.
Join us as a member for a nobleJoin us as a member for a noble
cause.cause.
Contact us:- 011-25464531, 9818569476
E-mail:- nursingnursing@yahoo.in

Moral dilemmas

  • 1.
  • 2.
    Moral dilemmasMoral dilemmas Asituation in which, whatever choice is made,A situation in which, whatever choice is made, the agent commits a moral wrongthe agent commits a moral wrong
  • 3.
    Moral DilemmasMoral Dilemmas Example from Book I of Plato'sExample from Book I of Plato's RepublicRepublic Cephalus defines ‘justice’ as speaking the truthCephalus defines ‘justice’ as speaking the truth and paying one's debts.and paying one's debts. Socrates quickly refutes this account bySocrates quickly refutes this account by suggesting that it would be wrong to repaysuggesting that it would be wrong to repay certain debts (weapon)certain debts (weapon)
  • 4.
    Moral dilemmasMoral dilemmas Socrates'point is not that repaying debts isSocrates' point is not that repaying debts is without moral import; rather, he wants to showwithout moral import; rather, he wants to show that it is not always right to repay one'sthat it is not always right to repay one's debts….debts….
  • 5.
    Moral DilemmasMoral Dilemmas Thereis a conflict between two moral norms:There is a conflict between two moral norms: repaying one's debts and protecting othersrepaying one's debts and protecting others from harm.from harm.
  • 6.
    Moral DilemmasMoral Dilemmas Theagent regards herself as having moralThe agent regards herself as having moral reasons to do each of two actions, but doingreasons to do each of two actions, but doing both is not possibleboth is not possible
  • 7.
    Moral DilemmasMoral Dilemmas Whenone of the conflicting requirementsWhen one of the conflicting requirements overrides the other, we do not have a genuineoverrides the other, we do not have a genuine moral dilemma.moral dilemma. In theIn the CritoCrito, Does Socrates confront a moral, Does Socrates confront a moral dilemma?dilemma?
  • 8.
    Moral DilemmasMoral Dilemmas 1.1.Something morallySomething morally rightright 2.2. Something morallySomething morally wrongwrong Bad outcomeBad outcome Good or betterGood or better outcomeoutcome
  • 9.
    Moral DilemmaMoral Dilemma Awoman was near death from a unique kind ofA woman was near death from a unique kind of cancer. There is a drug that might save her. The drugcancer. There is a drug that might save her. The drug costs $4,000 per dosage. The sick woman's husband,costs $4,000 per dosage. The sick woman's husband, Heinz, went to everyone he knew to borrow theHeinz, went to everyone he knew to borrow the money and tried every legal means, but he could onlymoney and tried every legal means, but he could only get together about $2,000. He asked the doctorget together about $2,000. He asked the doctor scientist who discovered the drug for a discount orscientist who discovered the drug for a discount or that he let him pay later. But the doctor scientistthat he let him pay later. But the doctor scientist refused.refused.
  • 10.
    Moral DilemmaMoral Dilemma ShouldHeinz break into the laboratory to stealShould Heinz break into the laboratory to steal the drug for his wife?the drug for his wife? (Why or why not?)(Why or why not?)
  • 11.
    Moral StagesMoral Stages Lawrence Kohlberg (1927-87)Lawrence Kohlberg (1927-87)
  • 12.
    KohlbergKohlberg Kohlberg proposed thatmoral reasoning,Kohlberg proposed that moral reasoning, which he thought to be the basis for ethicalwhich he thought to be the basis for ethical behavior, develops through stages.behavior, develops through stages.
  • 13.
    Moral StagesMoral Stages Level1: PRE-CONVENTIONALLevel 1: PRE-CONVENTIONAL Level 2: CONVENTIONALLevel 2: CONVENTIONAL Level 3: POST-CONVENTIONALLevel 3: POST-CONVENTIONAL
  • 14.
    Kohlberg’s StagesKohlberg’s Stages Level1 (Pre-conventional)Level 1 (Pre-conventional) Reasoners judge the morality of an action by itsReasoners judge the morality of an action by its direct consequencesdirect consequences Stage One: Obedience and PunishmentStage One: Obedience and Punishment Stage Two: Individualism, Instrumentalism, andStage Two: Individualism, Instrumentalism, and ExchangeExchange
  • 15.
    Heinz DilemmaHeinz Dilemma StageOne (Stage One (obedienceobedience): Heinz should not steal): Heinz should not steal the medicine, because otherwise he will be putthe medicine, because otherwise he will be put in prison.in prison.
  • 16.
    Pre-conventional levelPre-conventional level StageOne (Stage One (obedience orientationobedience orientation)) Individuals focus on the direct consequencesIndividuals focus on the direct consequences that their actions will have for themselves.that their actions will have for themselves.
  • 17.
    Socrates’ DilemmaSocrates’ Dilemma From the point of view of Stage One, SocratesFrom the point of view of Stage One, Socrates should not die because…should not die because…
  • 18.
    Heinz Moral DilemmaHeinzMoral Dilemma  Pre-conventional LevelPre-conventional Level Stage Two (Stage Two (self-interestself-interest): Heinz should steal): Heinz should steal the medicine, because he will be much happierthe medicine, because he will be much happier if he saves his wife, even if he will have toif he saves his wife, even if he will have to serve a prison sentence.serve a prison sentence.
  • 19.
    Kohlberg’s StagesKohlberg’s Stages StageTwo (Stage Two (self-interest orientationself-interest orientation):): what's in it for mewhat's in it for me position. Right behavior isposition. Right behavior is defined by what is in one's own best interest.defined by what is in one's own best interest.
  • 20.
    Socrates’ DilemmaSocrates’ Dilemma From a level two perspective, Socrates shouldFrom a level two perspective, Socrates should not die because…not die because…
  • 21.
    Kohlberg’s StagesKohlberg’s Stages Level2 (Conventional)Level 2 (Conventional) People who reason in a conventional way judge thePeople who reason in a conventional way judge the morality of actions by comparing these actions tomorality of actions by comparing these actions to social rules and expectations.social rules and expectations. Stage Three: Interpersonal Concordance ("GoodStage Three: Interpersonal Concordance ("Good boy/girl")boy/girl") Stage Four: Law and OrderStage Four: Law and Order
  • 22.
    Heinz Moral DilemmaHeinzMoral Dilemma CONVENTIONAL LEVELCONVENTIONAL LEVEL  Stage Three (Stage Three (conformityconformity): Heinz should steal): Heinz should steal the medicine, because his wife expects it.the medicine, because his wife expects it.
  • 23.
    Conventional levelConventional level StageThree (Stage Three (conformity orientationconformity orientation)) Individuals seek approval from other people.Individuals seek approval from other people. They judge the morality of actions byThey judge the morality of actions by evaluating the consequences of these actionsevaluating the consequences of these actions for a person's relationships.for a person's relationships.
  • 24.
    Socrates dilemmaSocrates dilemma Socrates should not die because…Socrates should not die because…
  • 25.
    Heinz DilemmaHeinz Dilemma StageFour (Stage Four (law-and-orderlaw-and-order): Heinz should not): Heinz should not steal the medicine, because the law prohibitssteal the medicine, because the law prohibits stealing.stealing.
  • 26.
    Conventional levelConventional level StageFour (Stage Four (law-and-order mentalitylaw-and-order mentality).). In stage four, individuals think it is importantIn stage four, individuals think it is important to obey the law and conventions of society.to obey the law and conventions of society.
  • 27.
    Socrates DilemmaSocrates Dilemma Socrates should die because…Socrates should die because…
  • 28.
    Kohlberg’s StagesKohlberg’s Stages Level3 (Post-conventional)Level 3 (Post-conventional) (Most people do not reach this level of moral(Most people do not reach this level of moral reasoning)reasoning)  Stage Five: Human RightsStage Five: Human Rights  Stage Six: Universal Ethical PrinciplesStage Six: Universal Ethical Principles (Principled Conscience)(Principled Conscience)
  • 29.
    Heinz moral dilemmaHeinzmoral dilemma Stage five (Stage five (human rightshuman rights):): Heinz should steal the medicine becauseHeinz should steal the medicine because saving his wife is more important than obeyingsaving his wife is more important than obeying the law.the law.
  • 30.
    Post-conventional levelPost-conventional level StageFive (Stage Five (human rights orientationhuman rights orientation))  People have certain principles to which theyPeople have certain principles to which they attach more value than laws, such as humanattach more value than laws, such as human rights.rights.  An action is wrong if it violates certain ethicalAn action is wrong if it violates certain ethical principles.principles.  Laws that do not promote general socialLaws that do not promote general social welfare should be changedwelfare should be changed
  • 31.
    Socrates dilemmaSocrates dilemma Socrates should not die…?Socrates should not die…? We are at level 3!!!!We are at level 3!!!!
  • 32.
    Post-conventional levelPost-conventional level Stage six (Stage six (universal human ethicsuniversal human ethics):): Heinz should steal the medicine, becauseHeinz should steal the medicine, because saving a human life is a more fundamentalsaving a human life is a more fundamental value than respecting the property of anothervalue than respecting the property of another person.person.
  • 33.
    Post-conventional levelPost-conventional level StageSix (Stage Six (ethical principle orientationethical principle orientation).). Moral reasoning is based on the use of abstractMoral reasoning is based on the use of abstract reasoning using universal principles.reasoning using universal principles. (People rarely, if ever, reach stage 6 of(People rarely, if ever, reach stage 6 of Kohlberg's model)Kohlberg's model)
  • 34.
    Socrates’ DecisionSocrates’ Decision Socrateschose to dieSocrates chose to die because….because….
  • 35.
    SocratesSocrates Should we returnthe weapon then (accordingShould we return the weapon then (according to Socrates)?to Socrates)?
  • 36.
    SocratesSocrates Socrates maintains thatprotecting others fromSocrates maintains that protecting others from harm is the norm that takes priorityharm is the norm that takes priority
  • 37.
    Our views haveincreased theOur views have increased the mark of the 10,000mark of the 10,000  Thank you viewersThank you viewers  Looking forward to franchise, collaboration,Looking forward to franchise, collaboration, partners.partners.
  • 38.
    This platform hasbeen started byThis platform has been started by Parveen Kumar Chadha with theParveen Kumar Chadha with the vision that nobody should suffervision that nobody should suffer the way he has suffered because ofthe way he has suffered because of lack and improper healthcarelack and improper healthcare facilities in India. We need lots offacilities in India. We need lots of funds manpower etc. to make thisfunds manpower etc. to make this vision a reality please contact us.vision a reality please contact us. Join us as a member for a nobleJoin us as a member for a noble cause.cause.
  • 39.
    Contact us:- 011-25464531,9818569476 E-mail:- nursingnursing@yahoo.in