Critical Reflection on Ethical Dilemmas

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Q.2. Drawing on the discussion on ethical dilemmas, please critically reflect on the
following statement: ‘Ethical decision making is not a simple choice between right and
wrong
When I reflect on my time thus far, there is one ethical dilemma that leaps out to me most.
Finding the right balance between enforcing rules and cultivating friendships with girls can be
challenging. Being a good friend is one of the most important things I value in myself. I think I've
done a decent job as President of being a good friend and being available for girls when they need
me. That being said, I've been made aware of a number of disciplinary instances involving several
of my friends. This puts me in a precarious position since I must divide my connection with these
girls and hold them accountable for their conduct. If these girls are upset, I still want them to know
that I am here for them as a friend. Being compassionate with girls is difficult for the President,
though, because they are well-versed in the rules and must comprehend the ramifications of their
acts (Lo, 2009).
On the other hand, that’s in organizations, its challenging, organizational decisions are
also referred to as "dilemmas" due to the fact that they are based on fundamental conflicts
between opposing sets of economic, legal, and social interests. In light of these conflicting
considerations, different options are recommended in different situations (Flicker et al., 2004).
Despite the advantages of coming up with innovative ideas, there will always be some degree of
disagreement in each situation. Others believe that firms and managers should only examine
economic (organizational self-interest) concerns when attempting to reconcile these seemingly
opposing elements, rather than any other ones. Overemphasizing the social duties of a
corporation and its executives can be a convenient way to get things done quickly. The battle is,

in my opinion, the most difficult aspect of achieving a balance between opposing goals and
considerations.
In decisions and behaviors that have an impact on others, ethics is concerned with the
distinction between what is "right" and "wrong," "fair" and "unfair." It is the things that we
appreciate and respect greatly that serve as the foundation for our ethical worldview. "Values"
refer to what humans perceive to be "good," "desirable," "just," and deserving of consideration in
their actions and relationships with one another (Robert et al., 2020). We make judgments and
carry out actions in accordance with these principles (values).For a multitude of reasons,
reaching an ethical conclusion is almost always a tough proposition to accomplish. When faced
with an ethical dilemma, there are multiple alternatives, effects that extend beyond the
immediate situation, ambiguity about the outcome, a mix of economic and legal benefits and
costs, as well as social and personal aspects, to consider. In most cases, organizational ethical
issues do not boil down to simple black-and-white choices between right and wrong; rather, they
entail nuanced calculations that weigh the benefits and costs of economic and self-interest
considerations against legal, ethical, and societal considerations, among other things. As a result,
a diverse range of stakeholders and constituencies, each with its own set of goals and interests,
are involved in making ethical decisions. A variety of motives, including personal gain, power,
(a) competitiveness, and (b) the restoration of justice or fairness, are all examples of factors that
might lead to unethical behavior in some situations. Inevitably, various people will have vastly
diverse interpretations of what constitutes "justice" and "fairness."
We base our actions and judgments on an ethical framework or system, yet these
frameworks are often implicit, rarely questioned, and inconsistently executed. It is beneficial to
make our beliefs and implicit ethical systems (Ehrich et al., 2011) explicit to ourselves in order

to be able to make disciplined and well-informed ethical decisions. Numerous ethical
frameworks can be used to help us think about our actions from a number of angles, and there
are many different ones to choose from (that include ethical, legal, and social considerations, in
addition to economic and self-interest factors). In order to make important judgments, it is
necessary that we are clear about our own values and ethical standards ahead of time, and that we
avoid rationalizing (deceiving oneself) about our motivations and potential value compromises.
However, while relinquishing and blurring our beliefs may cause us cognitive dissonance and
discomfort, the alternative of doing so might result in a progressive and most significant loss of
our ideals.
There are three ways in which we approach making moral decisions. There are many who
believe that the results are the most important factor. Why don't you tell the truth? People will be
harmed by it, and the consequences are dire. Second, there are those who strictly adhere to the
set of guidelines. What's the deal with not telling the truth? To live by the golden rule of "do unto
others as you would have them do unto you," you must always tell the truth. In addition to that,
there are people who aren't interested in either the results or the rules of the competition. They
want to know if you are a kind or courageous person. Why don't you just tell the truth? Because
that's who I am: an honest, straightforward individual. We make decisions based on a variety of
factors, including outcomes, rules, and personal characteristics. When it comes to deciding what
is good and wrong, we don't all approach it the same way (Ehrich et al., 2011). That is perfectly
OK. We each bring a unique set of resources to bear on our decision-making, which is reflected
in the wide range of ways we arrive at our conclusions. Regardless of whether you believe in
obeying the rules or getting good results, one thing is for certain: When it comes to ethics, there
is always more to consider than our personal preferences or prejudices (Pollock, 2021).