Which of the following best describes an ethical dilemma?

An ethical dilemma is characterized by a situation where an individual must make a decision between competing moral principles, often with no clear resolution. This complexity arises because the principles involved may hold significant value or importance to the individual, leading to an internal conflict. In many cases, choices within an ethical dilemma will affect different stakeholders and involve weighing the consequences of various actions.

For example, a manager might face a decision between increasing profits for their company by cutting costs, which might involve laying off employees, versus maintaining employment at the cost of lower profits. Clearly, both options have ethical implications that can be weighed against each other.

In contrast, options like a simple choice between good and bad, or a clear right and wrong decision, do not capture the nuanced nature of ethical dilemmas. Similarly, a conflict between social norms doesn’t necessarily necessitate a personal moral conflict, as it might involve societal pressures rather than personal ethics. Thus, the choice representing a scenario requiring a decision based on conflicting moral principles most accurately reflects the essence of an ethical dilemma.