A moral dilemma is a situation in which a person faces conflicting choices, each with significant ethical implications. These scenarios often involve a decision where one must choose between two or more actions, each of which may lead to negative consequences. For example, a classic moral dilemma is the trolley problem, where one must decide whether to pull a lever to divert a runaway trolley onto a track where it will kill one person instead of five.
Moral dilemmas challenge individuals to consider their values and the impact of their decisions on others. They often arise in various contexts, such as medical ethics, business decisions, or personal relationships. Navigating these dilemmas requires careful thought about what is right and wrong, as well as the potential outcomes of each choice.