What term describes a choice between two ethical principles or values that takes precedence in a given situation?

The term that best describes a choice between two ethical principles or values that takes precedence in a given situation is "ethical dilemma." An ethical dilemma occurs when a person faces a scenario where they must choose between two conflicting ethical principles, making the decision process particularly challenging. These situations require careful consideration of the implications of each possible action and the values at stake.

For instance, a social worker might face a dilemma when the duty to maintain client confidentiality conflicts with the obligation to report suspected abuse. In such cases, both ethical principles—confidentiality and protection of vulnerable individuals—are significant, but they cannot be simultaneously upheld without some compromise. Navigating through this kind of dilemma often involves weighing the consequences of each ethical principle against the other to arrive at a decision that aligns with professional codes of ethics and moral reasoning.

In contrast, terminology such as ethical conflict generally refers to disagreements about ethical principles rather than a specific choice between them. Ethical decision refers to the broader process of making a choice based on ethical considerations and does not specifically imply a conflicting situation. Ethical standard, on the other hand, refers to established criteria and guidelines that dictate how ethical situations should be managed, rather than describing the competing values within a specific scenario.