Answer

Ethical Dilemma in Personal Relationship

Ethical dilemmas – also known as an ethical paradox – involve problems in the decision-making process. It becomes difficult for one to decide between two possible options due to their consequences. Notably, some personal relationships might result in dilemmas when a friend may be in a situation that might hurt a friend or interfere with their personal relationship. Therefore, this case study describes a dilemma between three friends who trust each other and never want to mess with their personal relationship. Additionally, it identifies the kidder dilemma paradigm that is being challenged. Moreover, it describes the kidder resolution principle used in resolving the dilemma.

Dilemma 

Carlton has numerous friends, including Edward and Michael, who are somehow close to him than most of his friends; they are his best friends. Michael has been a single friend for a long and wanted to find a girl to settle down with; his single life resulted from being committed to managing his electronics company. He could not even find time to visit his friends to their families. On the other hand, Carlton and Edward usually find time to visit each other in their houses. However, the three of them habitually meet at their typical joint for some drinks to catch up with their friend’s life. Therefore, their meet-up was never about personal life, including their dating life.

Michael has recently met a beautiful lady – named Gabriella – whom he has seen for quite some time, and they decided to start dating. Michael decided not to tell his friends – Carlton and Edward – since he wanted to get serious between him and his girlfriend, Gabriella. After sometimes Michael decided that this would be a long-term relationship that would lead to marriage, so they started hanging out more frequently. Unknown to Michael, Carlton has been observing them – Michael and Gabriella – for several days at a restaurant. Carlton realized that Gabriella, the wife of his other friend, Edward. Carlton was caught in a personal dilemma that needs him to solve with a clear conscience, telling both his friend.

The situation led to a kidder dilemma paradigm that becomes challenging. Carlton was in the process of deciding whether to tell Michael that Gabriella – his girlfriend – was married to his other friend Edward when Edward called him. Edward claimed that his wife – Gabriella – was cheating on him. Since Carlton was a friend to Gabriella, and he knew most of her friends, Edward asked him if he has heard of the affair. Carlton was flabbergasted and unable to decide that would never burn their friendship with Edward, Michael, and perhaps Gabriella. The dilemma made him consider whom he owed greater friendship and loyalty. He was sure that no matter whom he tells, he knew he would hurt one of his friends, or even both of these friends – especially Michael and Edward.

Kidder Dilemma Paradigm 

Carlton was torn between revealing to Michael that Gabriella was a married woman, specifically to one of his friends, or leaving them – Michael and Gabriella – alone to continue dating since they seemed to love each other. The decision was going to heartbreak Michael’s since he already saw a future with Gabriella. Additionally, Michael would have confronted Edward about it, and it would be a total mess in terms of the trust. First, Edward would have felt betrayed by Carlton; how is his trusted friend based on the question that he asked him. Hence, Edward would have thought that the two knew what was happening. Therefore, based on the consequences, that was a more disastrous decision.

On the other hand, Carlton decided whether to tell Edward that he was aware of Michael and Gabriella. This option was based on Edward’s asking him a direct question that should significantly impact what Carlton should do. However, the decision to admit that he was aware of the affair would be more dangerous since Michael would have felt betrayed. Michael would have felt that Carlton knew that Gabriella was married but behind his back and told her husband without warning him. Moreover, Carlton was torn between speaking to both Michael and Edward on the situation, remaining silent, and hoping that his knowledge in the affair was never discovered.  

Kidder Resolution Principle 

The situation – dilemma – made Carlton evaluate and weigh all the situational variables to help him decide what he thinks is the best for all the involved parties, including himself. Being a truthful man, Carlton applied the truth as his guiding principle to morality. Truth as the principle of morality dictates that one should be truthful despite the circumstances. Therefore, Carlton told both his friend – Edward and Michael – the truth. He explained his knowledge of the situation. Resultantly, both Michael and Edward never blamed him for the consequences of telling them the truth. In fact, they were grateful that Carlton came out before things could go out of hand.