THE 8 MOST COMMON PROFESSIONAL ETHICAL DILEMMAS - JOB - 2024

The professional ethical dilemmas arise in workers when presented with a conflict between two ethical standards. These are cases in which there is a difficulty in establishing which is the "correct" decision, because any possible action implies violating a moral principle.

For an ethical dilemma to exist, there must be a situation in which it is necessary to make a decision, based in turn on three principles:

1-There must be at least two possible decisions from which to choose.

2-All possible options imply acting against an ethical principle. Therefore it is necessary to weigh which of these principles is more important or has a greater weight.

3-In most of these cases, the appropriate decision is usually the one that allows greater benefits or less harm to those affected.

However, there are times when the dilemma is more complex, because there is no option that benefits a majority. There may even be a dilemma of benefiting one person or another.

In these cases, it is often referred to as “perfect ethical dilemmas”, because there is no factor that helps to tip the balance towards one option or another.

These conflicts cause part of the daily problems of any profession. Despite the fact that there are codes of ethics in all universities and companies, complex situations that require special analysis are inevitable.

You may be interested What are the Differences between Ethics and Morals?

8 very common ethical dilemmas in different professions

1- In psychology

Ethical dilemmas in psychology are often related to the information that therapists receive from their patients.

Although all this information must be protected by professional secrecy, there are cases that cast doubt on this basic ethical principle.

One of these cases can occur when a patient reveals sensitive information that can help solve a problem through legal means. For example, a case of rape by a close relative or an acquaintance.

Faced with a situation of this type, the psychologist is faced with the dilemma of maintaining professional secrecy or reporting the attacker.

Should the psychologist keep the secret even if it implies continuing the violations?

2- In education

In the field of education ethical dilemmas also arise very frequently. This is due to the decision-making power that teachers have over students, the topics covered in class, the exams and the training process in general.

One of the most frequent ethical dilemmas is what topics to address or not in the classroom. For example, some religions or political tendencies oppose open sex education focused on the experience of an active but responsible sexuality.

Should a teacher refrain from educating, for example, in contraceptive methods?

3- In information technologies

One of the main ethical dilemmas, within the information age, has to do with the use that should be given to the data that reaches the hands of professionals.

For a professional who manages information in a company, it is possible to access inside information.

For this reason, there are cases in which this information can prove the innocence or guilt of an official of your company. Should professional secrecy be protected or the search for justice privileged?

4- In biotechnology

Current developments in technology allow to have a great power of manipulation over human life. These advances are very promising in the treatment of diseases, but they are not without great ethical dilemmas.

One of the most contentious conflicts today is surrogacy. The controversy has to do with the fact of manipulating human embryos and paying for the use of a woman's body.

Is it correct to manipulate embryos and human bodies taking into account that there are other alternatives such as adoption?

5- In journalism

Journalistic work is characterized by access to sensitive information, but also by the power to disseminate it to influence public opinion. This power is widely recognized, for this reason companies and governments know the importance of having the media on their side.

That is why one of the main ethical dilemmas in journalism has to do with the pattern, that is, with the companies that pay for the advertising that keep the media alive.

On many occasions, the media are often faced with the decision to hide information so as not to lose the pattern.

Should the media reveal compromising news even if it jeopardizes their existence?

6- In medicine

Ethical dilemmas are continually presented in the medical sciences caused by the power of health professionals to save lives. One of the most prevalent dilemmas today is abortion.

A doctor with anti-abortion beliefs may face a difficult decision when faced with a woman who needs to terminate a pregnancy to save her own life. Should You Perform an Abortion Even Above Your Beliefs?

7- In nursing

Ethical dilemmas also arise in the development of nursing. These conflicts have to do with the management of patient information and with the responsibility of professionals regarding the treatments that must be applied to them.

An example of this occurs when patients oppose receiving treatments that can even save their lives.

This is the case of the practitioners of some religions who oppose blood transfusions. Can a person be forced to receive treatment even above their beliefs?

8- In business administration

In business administration there are ethical dilemmas that have to do with the labor rights of employees, customer information and the advertising of products or services.

One of these ethical dilemmas arises when accidents occur in production that ruin an entire batch of a food product.

Announcing the mistake and picking up the product can mean a huge financial loss for the company, but not announcing it can cause harm to people's health.

Should the accident be hidden even though it may cause harm to the health of consumers?

References

1. Allen, K. (SF). What Is an Ethical Dilemma? Recovered from: socialworker.com.
2. Hermosilla, A. (2006). Ethical dilemmas in the practice of psychology: results of an investigation. Recovered from: redalyc.org.
3. Savage, Sam. (2007). Teachers' Ethical Dilemmas: What Would You Do? Recovered from: redorbit.com.
4. School of nursing. (SF). Top Ethical Issues in Nursing. Recovered from: elearning.loyno.edu.
5. University of Notre Dame. (2012). Emerging ethical dilemmas in science and technology. Recovered from: sciencedaily.com.