Which of the following best describes a situation in which an individual is faced with at least two courses of action and the decision is difficult?

• A. Ethical issue
• B. Ethical dilemma
• C. Social dilemma
• D. Ethical crisis

Answer: (B)

An ethical dilemma arises when a person must choose between two or more morally conflicting options, each with compelling reasons and potential harms. The decision is difficult because selecting one path means compromising another important value or duty, which is exactly what this scenario describes in criminal justice practice. This differs from an ethical issue, which is a broader question about what is right or wrong without necessarily forcing a conflict of duties; a social dilemma involves competing interests between individuals and the group rather than moral duties clashing; and an ethical crisis implies urgent, high-stakes action, not necessarily a choice between two morally incompatible options.