Which of the following best describes an ethical dilemma?

An ethical dilemma is best characterized as a scenario requiring a choice between competing values. This means that in such situations, individuals are faced with conflicting options where each choice has significant moral implications. For instance, a military leader may have to choose between following orders that may lead to unintended harm or disobeying those orders in order to uphold a moral standard. This conflict underlines the complexity of ethical dilemmas, as there isn’t a clear-cut answer that can satisfy all ethical principles involved.

In contrast, scenarios that present clear right and wrong answers do not constitute ethical dilemmas because they allow for straightforward decisions without the need for weighing conflicting values. Similarly, challenges with straightforward solutions lack the complexity and moral consideration that defines an ethical dilemma. Lastly, scenarios based solely on personal interests diverge from ethical dilemmas as they do not typically involve competing ethical values but rather self-serving decisions. Thus, the essence of an ethical dilemma lies in navigating situations where values and moral principles are in conflict, necessitating careful consideration and choice.