Southwestern College of Maritime, Business and Technology, Inc.
Quezon Drive, Calero, Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro
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SUBJECT: Ethics DATE:
MODULE #: 2 TEACHER:
I. TOPIC: Moral Dilemmas
Three Levels of Moral Dilemma in the Workplace
Freedom as Foundation of Ethics
II. TARGET LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of the lesson, the student is expected to:
1. Detect a moral dilemma.
2. Identify the three levels of moral dilemmas
3. Give examples of moral dilemmas in a workplace.
IV. MATERIALS NEEDED AND REFERENCES
1. Ethics (Erland De Vera Palean, Mylah Batoon Dumag Nazario, et al. 2019)
V. GEAR UP YOUR MIND
Moral Dilemmas
H. E. Mason (1996), expounds that moral conflict is a fact of moral life. It is something that we can
never do away with. It is embedded in the crucial decisions that we make, particularly in moments
that we are faced with what is and what should be.
As moral as we want to be, our convictions are oftentimes challenged, and if not strong enough,
are dejectedly compromised. These challenges are products of the evolving values and moral
systems of our society. It is thus necessary that we are in touch with the norms in our society as it
mirrors the moral consciousness of the people.
Moral dilemmas arise due to inconsistency in our principles. In understanding the morality of an
individual, we need to emphasize that majority of the moral persons are those who are sturdily
disposed to stand fast by their reflectively chosen principles and ideals when tempted by
considerations chosen that are morally irrelevant.
As Mason explains, we will experience a moral dilemma if we are faced with two actions, each of
which, it would be correct to say in the appropriate sense of ‘ought’, that is ought to be done, and
both of which we cannot do. This means that we either go straight or do it the other way. We, then,
ought to make moral choices, with our own moral reasons.
As we become more conscious of moral issues and dilemmas of people in our community, the
more that we ought to live by the moral principles that we believe are helpful and beneficial to the
society.
The Three Levels of Moral Dilemma in the Workplace
Ethical dilemmas also arise in our workplace. The stress in the workplace is not only a result of
beating deadlines and what not, but also of the ethical issues surrounding the workplace. As it is
very important that employees live up to certain standards prescribed by the companies and
organizations, it is likewise significant for the latter to uphold ethical standards in and for the
company.
1. Individual dilemma. The dilemma here is when the employee’s ethical standards are in the
opposition to that of his or her employer, which could lead to tensions in the workplace.
2. Organizational. Ethical standards are seen in company policies. Still and all, there might be a
gap between those who run the business whose ethical standards deviate from that of the
organization. This might cause ethical challenges and conflicts for those who are working in the
company.
3. Systemic. Ethics is predisposed by the larger operating environment of the company. Political
pressures, economic conditions, societal attitudes and others, can affect the operating standards
and policies of the organization where it might face moral dilemmas outside of the organization but
within the macro-society where it belongs.
Individual moral dilemmas are far more challenging as we are tasked to decide the morality of our
actions. In order for us to manage ethical challenges, there is always that need to make sure that
our decisions have been well thought out.
Freedom as Foundation of Ethics
In making moral decisions, Immanuel Kant runs to human autonomy as the principal foundation of
morality. “Autonomy” literally means giving the law to oneself, and our understanding provides laws
that constitute the a priori framework of our experience. This a priori knowledge is “prior to”, or
independent of, experience, but more importantly, identical for all human beings and not subject to
change.
To explain his concept o autonomy or freedom as foundation of moral at, Kant pointed out that
moral rightness and wrongness apply only to free agents who have the capacity to regulate their
behavior and have it in their power, at the time of their actions, either to act rightly or not. Hence,
when we make choices, we must act “under the idea of freedom”. Free will then becomes the
foundation of our moral act, which is done also out of ou moral responsibility.
Our understanding then, in hindsight, comes from reason, rather than experience. As for Kant,
autonomy - that is freedom, comes from obeying that law for the right reasons. We do not act for
self-serving interests but out of moral responsibilities. Hence, self-consciousness becomes the
highest principles, since it is the basis for all of our a priori knowledge about the structure of nature.
However, freedom does not give us the ability to decide similarly. Our free will dictates that we
have differences in self-consciousness which makes it even more complicated to entirely grasp
Kan’ts philosophical mooring. Rationality is not entirely the same for all of us. That being said, it
could not be our exclusive basis in making moral decisions. However, it would be difficult to not use
reason in making moral judgments as it is enlightening in our reflections and introspections in doing
the moral act itself.
NAME OF STUDENT: Ethics
SECTION: MODULE #: 2
VI. BOOST UP YOUR LEARNING
Direction: Create your own infographic showing your moral stand on euthanasia. Give at least
three reasons why you are in favor or not, and include your sources if necessary.
NAME OF STUDENT: Ethics
SECTION: MODULE #: 2
VII. LEVEL UP YOUR LEARNING
Direction: Answer the question comprehensively.
What is a pressing circumstance in your life where you need to make moral decision?