What are the two primary conflicts often assessed in ethical paradigms?

• A. Truth vs. Loyalty
• B. Individual vs. Group
• C. Short-term vs. Long-term
• D. Justice vs. Mercy

Answer: (A)

The choice of truth versus loyalty represents a key conflict often examined in ethical decision-making frameworks. This conflict highlights the tension between the obligation to be honest and transparent (truth) and the commitment to support and maintain relationships (loyalty). Decisions that demand a choice between these two values often arise in situations where revealing the truth may harm a colleague or jeopardize a relationship. Ethical paradigms often encourage individuals to weigh the importance of these values based on the context and their moral beliefs.

The other options, while they do present conflicts relevant to ethical discussions, do not specifically align with the two primary conflicts typically assessed in ethical paradigms. For instance, individual versus group focuses on the balance between personal rights and the welfare of the collective, which is a significant ethical consideration but not one of the primary conflicts. Similarly, short-term versus long-term emphasizes differing temporal impacts of decisions. Justice versus mercy deals with the balance between fairness and compassion but does not encapsulate the more prevalent dilemma between truth and loyalty in ethical assessments.