Moral Dilemma: Difference between revisions

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Naturally, the 'right' choice (if there [[Above Good and Evil|is one]]) will vary depending on the [[Sliding Scale of Idealism Versus Cynicism|tone of the work]], the [[Character Development|character in question]], the [[Shades of Conflict|morality involved]], the [[What the Hell Hero|reactions of the characters or audience]], the [[Values Dissonance|morality of the culture]], and much, much more. To say that the possibilities are endless is an understatement (even if you [[Take a Third Option]]).

Naturally, the 'right' choice (if there [[Above Good and Evil|is one]]) will vary depending on the [[Sliding Scale of Idealism Versus Cynicism|tone of the work]], the [[Character Development|character in question]], the [[Shades of Conflict|morality involved]], the [[What the Hell, Hero?|reactions of the characters or audience]], the [[Values Dissonance|morality of the culture]], and much, much more. To say that the possibilities are endless is an understatement (even if you [[Take a Third Option]]).

Of course, that's not to say that not all those possibilities are equal. A [[Moral Dissonance]] can result when a character is hailed for making the 'right' choice when it wasn't right at all. Or a dilemma can seem false and contrived when a character agonizes over killing the [[Big Bad]] but had no such problem [[What Measure Is a Mook|killing random Mooks]]. Or the audience themselves might [[Broken Base|dispute the character's decision]] and wish they did something [[Completely Missing the Point|'more awesome/badass']]. Or the character might make a choice that's completely [[Out of Character]] to their previous characterization.

Of course, that's not to say that not all those possibilities are equal. A [[Moral Dissonance]] can result when a character is hailed for making the 'right' choice when it wasn't right at all. Or a dilemma can seem false and contrived when a character agonizes over killing the [[Big Bad]] but had no such problem [[What Measure Is a Mook?|killing random Mooks]]. Or the audience themselves might [[Broken Base|dispute the character's decision]] and wish they did something [[Completely Missing the Point|'more awesome/badass']]. Or the character might make a choice that's completely [[Out of Character]] to their previous characterization.

Unsurprisingly, moral dilemmas are rich with [[Aesop|Aesops]]. There's always a lesson to be learned if someone [[Good Feels Good|makes the right choice]] - or makes the [[Nice Job Breaking It Hero|wrong choice and screw themselves over]]. There can be an [[Aesop]] to be learned just by the moral dilemma itself; obviously someone wouldn't be torn over whether or not to cheat unless they thought cheating was okay on some level.

Unsurprisingly, moral dilemmas are rich with [[Aesop|Aesops]]. There's always a lesson to be learned if someone [[Good Feels Good|makes the right choice]] - or makes the [[Nice Job Breaking It, Hero|wrong choice and screw themselves over]]. There can be an [[Aesop]] to be learned just by the moral dilemma itself; obviously someone wouldn't be torn over whether or not to cheat unless they thought cheating was okay on some level.

And since there's always a lesson to be learned, moral dilemmas are major turning points for character development. A hero character that ultimately chooses to do something immoral can [[Jumping Off the Slippery Slope|jump off the slippery slope]] or even push themselves straight into being an [[Anti Hero]]. A villain who chooses to do the right thing can be elevated to a [[Noble Demon]] or even [[Heel Face Turn|redeem himself]] - because sometimes [[Even Evil Has Standards]].

And since there's always a lesson to be learned, moral dilemmas are major turning points for character development. A hero character that ultimately chooses to do something immoral can [[Jumping Off the Slippery Slope|jump off the slippery slope]] or even push themselves straight into being an [[Anti-Hero]]. A villain who chooses to do the right thing can be elevated to a [[Noble Demon]] or even [[Heel Face Turn|redeem himself]] - because sometimes [[Even Evil Has Standards]].

Expect a [[Good Angel Bad Angel|good angel and bad angel]] to appear on a character's shoulders to debate the dilemma.

Expect a [[Good Angel, Bad Angel|good angel and bad angel]] to appear on a character's shoulders to debate the dilemma.

Moral dilemmas may also not apply to people who consider themselves [[Ubermensch|above such petty things]].