Ethical dilemmas are common phenomena in many professional fields. Ethical dilemmas refer to situations where difficult choices have to be made in order to solve a problem. When choosing on the most appropriate choice to solve a problem, a keen evaluation on the possible choices is made to ascertain the most appropriate for the problem at hand. There are complicated ethical dilemmas that do not have appropriate solution while others have appropriate solutions. In situations where an ethical dilemma does not have an appropriate solution, a professional chooses the solution that is likely to lessen the impacts of the ethical dilemma. In other less complicated ethical dilemmas, a simple solution may be chosen and the ethical dilemma is completely solved. However, the process of solving ethical dilemmas should be able to devise ways of dealing with consequences that might arise if the intended solutions are not achieved.
The process of solving ethical dilemmas should start with gathering actual facts of the ethical dilemma to be solved. Facts gathering entail the process of compiling evidence from different sources to measure the validity of the ethical dilemma (Santosuosso, 2016). Gathering facts about an ethical dilemma helps a professional to make sound decisions when choosing an appropriate solution for the problem to be handled. After gathering facts, the ethical issue is clearly defined to deter it from raising more complications during the actual solving process. Thereafter, the parties involved in the ethical issue are identified. Identification of parties that are involved in a certain ethical dilemma helps a professional to easily identify the root cause of the ethical issue. After identifying the parties that are involved in an ethical dilemma, the impacts of the ethical issue on the parties involved are weighed and scaled in their order of intensity.
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After determining the consequences of an ethical dilemma and presumably coming up with a clear picture of the root cause of the issue, an action plan is developed. Developing an action plan involves coming up with possible ways of solving the ethical issue (Santosuosso, 2016). The action plan to be adopted in solving an ethical problem is determined by the intensity of the ethical dilemma. Developing an action plan may range from coming up with amicable solution options to taking legal actions against parties involved in the ethical matter. Actual implementation of the action plan then follows, whereby an appropriate decision to solve the ethical dilemma is adopted. A professional ought to be skillful when implementing an action plan to avoid bias and criticism. Finally, occasional monitoring of the efficacy of the adopted solution choice is done to know whether the ethical dilemma was solved or not.
There are various ways in which a professional can react when an ethical dilemma arises. Since all ethical dilemmas are not of similar intensity, it is wise for a professional to match first-time reaction with the intensity of the ethical issue. Confrontation is the most appropriate way to react to mild ethical dilemmas. Confrontation refers to facing parties involved in an ethical dilemma directing and demanding for an explanation on the problem at hand (Woodzicka & Good, 2020). Direct confrontation provokes the parties involved in an ethical issue to give reasons that led to the problem. However, in case a dire ethical dilemma occurs, it is advisable for a professional to remain silent and retreat to allow for an in-depth investigation. Serious ethical issues should not be solved hurriedly because their consequences are varied. Therefore, a detailed investigation should be carried out first and a well-thought of decision made on the most appropriate way to solve a heightened ethical dilemma.
Implementing ways to solve ethical dilemmas do not always yield positive results. In some instances, the choices deemed as the most appropriate for settling an ethical dilemma may fail miserably. When a preferred solution to an ethical dilemma fails, a professional should first focus on alternative ways to develop his or her career or steer an organization forward despite the ethical dilemma. A professional should be able to subdue the impacts of an ethical dilemma to ensure normal activities in an organization continue. Also, a professional should be able to strike equilibrium between normal activities and consequences of an ethical dilemma. The ethical dilemma should be held at bay to prevent further effects and impacts that might endanger the existence of a business entity or an organization.
However, in as much as a state of equilibrium is set in an instance of an ethical dilemma, ethical values should be relied to come up with an alternative way to solve a problem. Integrity is an ethical value that is imparted to any professional. As such, every professional is expected to observe integrity at all times. Ethical dilemmas are an indication of violation of the value of integrity and calls for a legal action. Thus, parties that have had a hand in an ethical dilemma ought to be handed over to law enforcers so that they can be questioned over their integrity. A professional is also expected to be honesty. When the value of honesty is violated, like in a case of ethical dilemmas, the law should be involved to deal with the party involved.
References
Santosuosso, P. (2016). A Ten-Step Model for Solving Ethical Dilemmas. 11(12):30. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/310602389_A_Ten-Step_Model_for_Solving_Ethical_Dilemmas
Woodzicka, J., & Good, J. (2020). Strategic Confrontation: Examining The Utility of Low Stakes Prodding as A Strategy for Confronting Sexism. 161:3, 316-330. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00224545.2020.1829529?journalCode=vsoc20
