Question

What does it mean to be Ethical? Describe two Ethical Dilemmas that can occur when providing service delivery (working as a doctor, educator, Nurse, Social Worker, etc.). How can we avoid it?

Answer 1

To be ethical means to follow the professional standards, legal obligations, and expectations at workplace, as well as, following one's own values and principles relevant to situation while carrying out responsibilities at work place.

The two ethical dilemmas are:

• The "absolute" or "pure" ethical dilemma: This type of ethical dilemma occur when the professionals have to choose between two equally important ethical situation, and choice of neither of them gives complete solution to the problem. For example- As an educator working in a rural area with limited resources causes absolute ethical dilemma, when the resources fall short to bring optimal level of learning among the children. The educator has to choose between the limited resources and effective teaching learning strategies. The limited resources prevent an optimal learning.
• "Approximate" or "relative" ethical dilemma: This type of ethical dilemma occurs when the personal values of the professionals clashes with the legal, or ethical codes of the profession. For example- A doctor who is a staunch supporter of anti-abortion has carry out abortion out of a critical medical condition, otherwise fetus that has least chance of survival would definitely cause a serious threat to woman's life.