INTER-GLOBAL COLLEGE FOUNDATION, INC.
Bocohan, Lucena City
_________________________________________________________________________
Registration No.
16Q13029
COURSE MODULE
NAME OF PROGRAM BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN MARINE TRANSPORTATION
COURSE DESCRIPTIVE
ETHICS COURSE CODE: GE08 - ETH
TITLE / CODE
PRE-REQUISITE / CO-
COURSE CREDIT UNIT/HOURS:
REQUISITE / CREDIT NONE
3 UNITS/3 HOURS
UNIT
This course deals with the principles of ethical behavior
in modern society at the level of the person, society,
COURSE DESCRIPTION
and interaction with the environment and other shared
resources.
MODULE Moral Dilemma Module
TITLE/NUMBER Number: 2
INCLUSIVE
Week 1
DATE/WEEK
COURSE OUTCOME
By the end of this module, learners should be able to:
1. Detect a moral dilemma in various situations.
A. Learning Outcomes 2. Identify and differentiate the three levels of
moral dilemmas.
3. Explain why only human beings can be ethical.
B. STCW Competence Adherence to ethical behavior and good decision-
Addressed by the
making as required in maritime practice.
Course Module
C. STCW KUP
Knowledge of ethical responsibilities and consequences
Addressed by the
of actions onboard ships.
Course Module
D. MODULE 1. Velasquez, Manuel G. (2019). Business Ethics: Concepts
REFERENCES and Cases. Pearson.
2. Rachels, James, & Rachels, Stuart. (2019). The Elements
of Moral Philosophy (9th Edition). McGraw-Hill Education.
3. MacIntyre, Alasdair. (2007). After Virtue: A Study in
Moral Theory. University of Notre Dame Press.
4. Aristotle. (Translated by Terence Irwin). Nicomachean
Ethics. Hackett Publishing.
5. Frankena, William K. (1973). Ethics. Prentice-Hall.
6. De Castro, Jovito. (2003). Introduction to Philosophy with
Logic and Critical Thinking. Rex Bookstore.
7. Commission on Higher Education (CHED). GE08 Course
Guide: Ethics (2016).
8. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy – Entries on moral
dilemmas and ethics
[Link]
9. Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy – Topics like "Moral
Dilemmas", "Human Acts", and "Ethical Theories"
I. LESSON OVERVIEW
This lesson introduces the concept of moral dilemma—a situation where moral
principles or values conflict, making it difficult to choose the "right" course of action.
Students will also explore how moral dilemmas manifest at personal, organizational, and
structural levels, and why human beings are uniquely capable of ethical decision-
INTER-GLOBAL COLLEGE FOUNDATION, INC.
Bocohan, Lucena City
_________________________________________________________________________
Registration No.
16Q13029
making.
KEY CONCEPTS AND DISCUSSIONS
A. What is a Dilemma?
A dilemma is a situation in which a person must choose between two or more
conflicting options, each with potentially negative outcomes.
B. What is a Moral Dilemma?
A moral dilemma is a specific type of dilemma where:
Moral principles or values are in conflict.
Choosing one option may violate another moral duty.
It requires serious ethical reasoning.
C. Key Characteristics of Moral Dilemmas
1. Conflict of Choices – Options are mutually exclusive.
2. Moral or Practical Difficulty – All options may violate values or cause harm.
3. No Clear Solution – No obvious “right” choice.
4. Need for Judgment – Requires critical thinking and reflection.
D. Types/Levels of Moral Dilemma
1. Personal Moral Dilemma – Involves individual moral decisions.
Example: Reporting a friend who cheated.
2. Organizational Moral Dilemma – Occurs in institutions/workplaces.
Example: Whistleblowing unethical behavior.
3. Structural/Systemic Moral Dilemma – Involves societal or political conflicts.
Example: Balancing national security and civil liberties.
E. Why Human Beings Are Ethical
1. We Are Rational Thinkers – We reflect and reason morally.
2. We Have Empathy – Emotions guide moral decisions.
3. We Live in Social Communities – Ethics promote social harmony.
4. We Learn Ethics – Culture and education shape morality.
5. We Have a Sense of Justice – We value fairness and responsibility.
6. We Seek Meaning – We pursue purposeful, ethical lives.
F. The Human Act
A human act arises from knowledge and free will.
These acts are moral, imputable, and form habits, which build a person’s character.
ACTIVITIES
Activity 1: Reflect and React
Write about a time you experienced or witnessed a moral dilemma.
What choices were involved? What did you learn from it?
Activity 2: Case Analysis
Given a scenario, identify the type of moral dilemma and evaluate
possible actions using moral reasoning.
Example Scenario:
You find out a co-worker has been manipulating reports. Reporting
them might lead to their dismissal but staying silent supports
dishonesty.
What are your options?
What values are at stake?
INTER-GLOBAL COLLEGE FOUNDATION, INC.
Bocohan, Lucena City
_________________________________________________________________________
Registration No.
16Q13029
What level of dilemma is this?
ASSESSMENT
Part I – Multiple Choice (1 point each)
Choose the letter of the correct answer. Write your answer on the
space provided before each number.
___ 1. What best defines a dilemma?
A. A situation with multiple good options
B. A situation with a clear solution
C. A situation where every option compromises something important
D. A situation that requires no judgment
___ 2. What makes a dilemma “moral”?
A. It only involves practical outcomes
B. It involves religious rituals
C. It involves a conflict between two moral principles or duties
D. It is always illegal
___ 3. Which of the following is a personal moral dilemma?
A. Voting in an election
B. Choosing to report a friend who cheated
C. Starting a business
D. Following dress codes at school
___ 4. What type of moral dilemma involves societal or political issues?
A. Personal
B. Organizational
C. Structural
D. Cultural
___ 5. Which is NOT a key characteristic of a moral dilemma?
A. Only one solution is possible
B. Requires critical thinking
C. Involves conflict of values
D. Each option has pros and cons
___ 6. What makes human beings capable of ethical behavior?
A. Lack of emotions
B. Instinct only
C. Reason, empathy, and conscience
D. Physical strength
___ 7. Why is empathy important in ethics?
A. It helps people manipulate others
B. It reduces emotional responses
C. It helps understand and care about others’ feelings
D. It avoids critical thinking
___ 8. Which of the following is an organizational moral dilemma?
A. Deciding to vote in an election
B. Exposing unethical behavior at work
C. Donating to charity
D. Helping a friend move houses
___ 9. What does the phrase “human acts are imputable to the agent”
mean?
A. Acts are forgettable
INTER-GLOBAL COLLEGE FOUNDATION, INC.
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_________________________________________________________________________
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B. Acts have no moral consequence
C. Acts are neither good nor bad
D. Humans are responsible for their actions
___ 10. According to Aristotle, why are humans social and ethical
beings?
A. They rely on instincts
B. They live in isolation
C. They act based only on survival
D. They are naturally inclined to live in society
Part II – Essay (5 point each). Answer briefly and clearly
1. Identify and briefly explain the three levels of moral dilemma with
one example for each.
Answer: _______________________________________________________
2. Explain two reasons why only human beings can be ethical.
Answer: _______________________________________________________
(Provide answer key separately)
TABLE OF SPECIFICATIONS
Topic: Moral Dilemma – Week 2
Total Items: 20
Test Type: Multiple Choice, Essay
Learning Content Area Cognitive Number
Item Number
Outcomes Level of Items
Definition & Remembering /
LO1: Detect a 2 1,2
nature of Understanding
moral dilemma dilemma Application 1 3
Analysis/
LO2: Identify the Personal, 2 4,8
Understanding
three levels of Organizational,
dilemma Structural Creating
1 1
/Explaining
LO3: explain why Analysis/
Ethical nature Understanding 2 6,7
human beings are
of humans
the only ethical Explaining 1 2
General Human acts
Understanding of and Understanding 2 5,9
Ethics responsibility
Philosophical
Social nature
Foundation (e.g., Remembering 1 10
of man
Aristotle)
TOTAL 12 10 MC + 2 SA
RUBRICS FOR ESSAY
3– 2 – Needs 1–
Criteria 5 – Excellent 4 – Proficient
Satisfactory Improvement Inadequate
Clarity Response is Mostly clear; Somewhat Frequently Confusing and
clear, well- minor unclear or unclear; needs disorganized
structured, and grammatical revision for
INTER-GLOBAL COLLEGE FOUNDATION, INC.
Bocohan, Lucena City
_________________________________________________________________________
Registration No.
16Q13029
easy to or structural
disorganized clarity
understand issues
Demonstrates
Shows basic Lacks
complete and
Mostly understanding Misunderstands understanding;
Content accurate
accurate with but includes key ideas; mostly
Accuracy understanding
minor errors some several errors incorrect or off-
of the ethical
inaccuracies topic
concept
Provides Provides
Example is Example is No example
Relevance/ insightful, relevant but
basic or only vague, given or
relevant simple or
loosely related irrelevant, or completely off-
Examples examples or general
to the question missing topic
explanations examples
Shows
Basic
thoughtful Shows No evidence of
understanding; Superficial
Depth of reflection and adequate understanding
limited response; lacks
Understanding a deep grasp reflection and or critical
explanation or explanation
of moral understanding thinking
insight
concepts
Prepared by: Validated by: Checked by: Approved by:
JANICE C. CABLAIDA, LPT, MAEd PAUL CLIFFORD N. MARQUEZ, LPT MAEd ROWENA L. FLORES, Ph.D. CAPT. FLORENCIO M.
JAURIGUE Lead Instructor Co-Instructor/CMDT Academic Coordinator Dean,
BSMT