Sure. Here is a table that differentiates ethical dilemmas, value conflict, conflict of interest, cognitive dissonance, and crisis of conscience:
| Term | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Ethical dilemma | A situation in which there is no clear right or wrong answer, and the decision-maker must weigh the potential consequences of each option. | A company is considering laying off employees in order to save money. The CEO knows that this will hurt the employees and their families, but they also know that it is necessary to keep the company afloat. |
| Value conflict | A disagreement between two or more values that a person holds. | A person might value honesty and loyalty, but they are faced with a situation where they must choose between the two. For example, they might be asked to lie to their boss about something, even though they know that it is wrong. |
| Conflict of interest | A situation in which a person's personal interests could influence their professional judgment. | A doctor might have a financial interest in a pharmaceutical company that makes a drug that they prescribe to their patients. This could create a conflict of interest, as the doctor might be more likely to prescribe the drug even if it is not the best option for the patient. |
| Cognitive dissonance | A state of discomfort that occurs when a person holds two or more contradictory beliefs or values. | A person might believe that they are an ethical person, but they also might engage in unethical behavior, such as cheating on their taxes. This can lead to cognitive dissonance, as the person is trying to reconcile their two conflicting beliefs. |
| Crisis of conscience | A situation in which a person feels that they have done something wrong, and they are struggling with the guilt and shame. | A person might feel a crisis of conscience if they have lied to their boss, cheated on their spouse, or stolen from someone. They might feel that they have betrayed their own values, and they might be struggling with how to move forward. |
Here are some additional examples of each term: