A moral dilemma is a difficult situation where a person has to choose between two alternatives, all of which contribute to the transgression of a moral principle. The decision during a dilemma involves a conflict between two duties, such as loyalty to self or allegiance to society (Papouli, 2019). It is paramount to note that any decision taken may have a negative outcome, and Aristotle’s golden mean is an antidote to solving the challenge.
Example of a Moral Dilemma
A newly employed nephrologist is transferred to a city-based healthcare facility. The nephrologist observes an increasing number of hospital readmissions, and the people readmitted suffer kidney problems. After investigating the patient’s history, he discovers that the patients are admitted for minor surgeries during which radical nephrectomy is performed for organ trafficking. He finds out that the hospital works closely with a criminal syndicate trafficking human organs. When the top management at the hospital realizes that he has found out, they summon him and ask him to join them in performing the heinous acts, otherwise, he will lose his job.
Nephrologist’s Choices on the Moral Dilemma
When the nephrologist discovered the moral decadence in the hospital, he had only two choices, either join them in perpetuating organ trafficking or reject the offer and lose his job. The doctor applied Aristotle’s golden mean in the scenario by selecting a choice that favors more people (Rachels & Rachels, 2012). The essential virtue in the situation is the courage to face the rogue hospital managers. Deciding to join forces is likely to jeopardize the lives of many unsuspecting patients. The decision will further be propagated by cowardice as he may fear what the managers may do to him once he quits the job with their secret. Courage is a virtue that gives a person a choice to confront fear or uncertainty to solve evade crime (Rachels & Rachels, 2012). He expressed the virtue by overcoming the qualms caused by joblessness and quit his job for the patient’s safety and avoiding crime. Quitting the job is best because it serves the community’s interests and saves many lives. Accepting the offer would have helped him to maintain his job, but he sacrificed his job for the sake of society.
References
Papouli, E. (2019). Aristotle’s virtue ethics is a conceptual framework for the study and practice of social work in modern times. European Journal of Social Work, 22(6), 921–934. Web.
Rachels, J., & Rachels, S. (2012). The elements of moral philosophy 7e. McGraw Hill. [PDF document]. Web.