QUE : What do you understand by moral dilemma? Explain with an example how it can give rise to a crisis of conscience.

A moral dilemma can be described as a situation that requires a choice between competing sets of principles/values ​​in a situation that is usually undesirable or confusing. Conflict of interest is probably the most obvious example that can put people, especially in the public sphere, in a moral dilemma.

•  Moral dilemma and crisis of conscience :

•  Conscience is the ability to decide between right and wrong. It is the ability to decide whether to act with truth or with deceit. When a person does something wrong, the conscience warns the person to avoid such an action. This happens in situations where the person finds it difficult to make a proper moral decision.
  
•  Crisis of conscience arises if a person acts against his conscience in order to meet the demands of the situation despite this internal warning.
  
•  Examples of moral dilemmas that lead to crisis of conscience:
  
•  Public life: Public officials often face moral dilemmas that sometimes lead to crisis of conscience. For example, a public official has been ordered to forcibly remove illegal shelters from government land. While studying the case, the official found that the people living there are poor who have no other option to live. In such a case, the official faces a moral dilemma as he has to give time to vacate them on the voice of his conscience or to perform his duty. If he performs his duty and goes against the interests of the poor people without considering their concerns, then a crisis of conscience will arise.
  
•  Public activism: An official is facing a dilemma of providing regular water supply and other infrastructure services to the people living in illegal settlements. The voice of conscience may motivate the official to provide basic amenities while the rules may prevent him from doing so. Choosing to follow rules and not provide facilities can lead to a crisis of conscience.

•  Personal life example: I saw a poor child stealing a pencil from a shop without paying for it. Although I wanted to report the incident to the shopkeeper, I ignored the voice of my conscience as the child seemed poor and needy. Thus, there was a moral dilemma between two values, i.e., protecting the poor child vs. reporting the act of theft. Choosing either of the two options can lead to a crisis of conscience.
  
•  Thus, it can be said that having a moral dilemma is a common thing. However, it should be ensured that the voice of conscience is listened to and one does not make a decision when one is facing a crisis of conscience.
  

                    To avoid a crisis of conscience, one should develop a sound moral judgment that can help him choose between good and evil. Also, there should be a proper legal framework to check any deviation and the wrongdoer should be punished.