MODULE NO.
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Valencia Colleges (Buk) Inc.
Hagkol, Valencia City
[email protected]
GE 8: Ethics
Second Semester of A.Y. 2020-2021
Introduction
A social dilemma is an action situation in which an individual must decide on his own even if it is
against the socially-accepted norms. It is the situation that measure one’s maturity. Below is the scale
used by Lawrence Kohlbeg in human reasoning.
Rationale
In this module, we will discuss and understand dilemma and its importance.
Intended Learning Outcomes
1. To understand the importance of dilemma to human reasoning
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2. To help the learner gauge his level of thinking
3. To discern one’s level of maturity
LESSON 4:
Dilemma
Discussion
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At present, you are unemployed and cannot provide medicine for your suffering partner. One
morning, your beloved was screaming in pain and you are forced to find ways to ease the pain or
better yet eradicate it. You went to a drug store that has just opened, and the guard was out at that
moment and the solitary sales agent were busy preparing herself. The medicine was there but you
are penniless to buy it, that is just within your reach and the chance was ripe to steal it. Will you take
the opportunity for your partner or back track to avoid committing?
Level 1: Pre-Conventional Level – The concrete interests of an individual is merely rewards and
punishment. This is a childish mentality that are only encouraged or discouraged based on what they
can get from the situation at hand.
Stage 1: “Obedience and Punishment Orientation”. People stick to the rules to avoid punishment
Favor: If partner dies there will be trouble for you since you are the spouse and must make a move
instead of being idle.
Against: If you steal you might get caught if not your conscience will bother you, this means that
you have to make a move otherwise you will be punished by your conscience by not doing so.
Stage 2: “Reward Orientation” – Rules are followed only for its benefits. Obedience occurred
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because of the rewards. It means that the doer is only after what can he gain from the actions he
performs or did not perform.
Favor: If you steal and got caught just return the just return the drug and forget everything.
Somehow you might end up in jail but the wife is still alive just the same
Against: The sin committed is not that serious so a life term is impossible but it will still be a lose-
lose situation for this will temporarily save her life but may end up dead sooner or later.
Level 2: Conventional Morality – People approach problems as members of society and would like
to be a role model.
Stage 3: “Good Boy Morality” - Individuals show an interest in maintaining the respect of others
and is doing what is expected of them.
Favor: To be a good father is to do everything for his family that if you do not steal the drug the
people will label you as an “irresponsible father”
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Against: If you steal the drug the people will tag you as a “criminal” and will bring dishonor to your
family.
Stage 4: “Authority and Social Order maintaining Morality” – People conform to what is right in a
society.
Favor: If you have a sense of honor, you wouldn’t let your wife die by denying the only means of
saving her life. You will feel guilty and this will haunt you for the rest of your life.
Against: You are aware that stealing is evil but the effect of that shall be more painful once you are
sent to jail. You will feel guilty and will haunt you for the rest of your life. You are no longer
honorable.
Level 3: Post Conventional Morality: People use moral principles which is seen as broader than any
particular society.
Stage 5: “Morality of Rights and Laws” – People do what is right as a sense of obligation to law and
society, however they can be modified.
Favor: If you don’t steal, you’ll lose the people’s respect for you avoided the act because of fear and
not reason
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Against: If you steal, you’ll lose your social standing for violating the law, don’t get carried away by
emotions
Stage 6: “Morality of an Individual Principle and Conscience” – A person follows laws based on
ethical principles. Laws that run counter to principles are violated.
Favor: If you don’t steal and wife dies you won’t be condemned by society for you lived up to your
own expectations but did not live to your own standard of conscience
Against: If you steal the drug you will not be blamed by others but you’ll condemn yourself for not
living within your own conscience and your virtue of honesty.
Exercise
Instruction: Fill in the blanks.
_stage 6____________________1. Laws that run counter to principles are violated.
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_level 1____________________2 This is a childish mentality that are only encouraged or
discouraged based on what they can get from the situation at hand.
____level 3_________________3. People use moral principles which is seen as broader than any
particular society.
___stage 4_________________4 People conform to what is right in a society.
_level 2___________________5. People approach problems as members of society and would like
to be a role model.
___stage3 favor_________________6. To be a good father is to do everything for his family that if
you do not steal the drug the people will label you as an “irresponsible father”
__stage 3_________________7. Individuals show an interest in maintaining the respect of others
and is doing what is expected of them
_favor stage4________________8. If you don’t steal and wife dies you won’t be condemned by
society for you lived up to your own expectations but did not live to your own standard of
conscience
_against stage 3_________________9. If you steal the drug the people will tag you as a “criminal”
and will bring dishonor to your family.
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___stage1_____________________10.”. People stick to the rules to avoid punishment
__stage 2______________________11. It means that the doer is only after what can he gain from
the actions he performs or did not perform.
___against stage 1_____________________12. If you steal you might get caught if not your
conscience will bother you, this means that you have to make a move otherwise you will be
punished by your conscience by not doing so.
_______against stage 4_________________ 13. You are aware that stealing is evil but the effect of
that shall be more painful once you are sent to jail. You will feel guilty and will haunt you for the
rest of your life. You are no longer honorable.
________favor stage 2________________ 14. If you steal and got caught just return the just return
the drug and forget everything. Somehow you might end up in jail but the wife is still alive just the
same.
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_favor stage4_____________________ 15 You will feel guilty and this will haunt you for the rest
of your life.
Reflection
Essay
1. Make your own scenario wherein the level and stages of dilemma is presented.
2. What is the importance of dilemma?
Resources and Additional Resources
Colendrina-Bucu, Luz et al; Introduction to Psychology
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