According to Rushworth Kidder, what is the most difficult type of ethical issues to resolve?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

According to Kidder, "right versus wrong" scenarios are usually easy to decide in ethical terms. For example, stealing versus paying for an item is not a difficult ethical question. It is the "right versus right" ethical dilemmas that re more difficult. For example, should a prosecutor file shoplifting charges against a minor or should he allow the store to work something out with the minor and his/her parents. Four types of issues are found in these "right versus right" ethical dilemmas. They include: 1) Justice versus mercy – should the law be strictly enforced or should the prosecutor yield to a more compassionate/empathetic approach; 2) Short term versus long term- do the immediate needs of a conviction conflict with a future goal of rehabilitating the offender; 3) Individual versus community- is it better to focus on the individual minor or on protecting society; and 4) Truth versus loyalty- if the offender accepts responsibility, do we value his/her honesty at the expense of responsibility to enforce the law? Once the nature of the conflict is identified, and information is gathered, the better the dilemma may be resolved. Overall, there are compelling arguments on both sides of the question. This is why the "right versus right" dilemmas are the most difficult to resolve.