Module 5 - Moral Problems

1. Read the following case and then tick the right answer(s) from among the choices that follow:



You became the chief of police in your place after successfully going after big time computer hackers and a syndicate engaged in the production and sale of pirated software. One day, you find out that your eldest son is an active computer hacker. When you confront your son, he tells you that he is sorry and he promises that he will never again engage in activities involving computer crimes. Your are now faced with the problem of having to choose between two options: first, as a chief of police, you have a duty to arrest your own son; and second, as a parent, you have the duty to protect your son.
1. The situation illustrates the problem of freedom.
X2. The situation illustrates the problem of moral obligation.
3. The situation illustrates the problem of the scope of morality.
X4. The situation illustrates the problem of moral principle.


The situation illustrates the problem of moral obligation: As a chief of police, it is my moral obligation to impose the law and go after whoever violates the law; on the other hand, as a parent, it is my moral obligation to defend and protect my son.
The situation also illustrates the problem of moral principle: I am placed in a situation where if I am to arrest my son, our relationship will be affected; on the other hand, if I don’t arrest my son, I will be neglecting my duty as chief of police.




2. In your opinion, which of the moral problems discussed is the most pervasive? Explain your answer.



The most pervasive of the moral problems is the problem of moral obligation. As social being, we tend to act in accordance with what the society wants as to act to be socially accepted. There are instances, however, where what the society dictates is against our own personal norms, thus we are placed in a dilemma.

For instance during elections, politicians are placed in a situation whether to uphold their moral obligation to have a fair and honest election or to pursue their self-interest to win.

Another example, some crimes are not given due process for jurors are placed in a dilemma to give fair trial or to allow themselves to be influenced by people covering the crime for their own benefit.