dilemme

Dilemme is a French noun describing a situation in which an individual must choose between two or more alternatives, each associated with negative or undesirable outcomes. The term is used in everyday language as well as in philosophy, ethics, psychology, and decision theory. A dilemma typically implies that there is no option that is clearly better, or that every choice entails trade-offs.

Etymology: Dilemme comes from Greek dialēmma, meaning a proposition to be weighed, via Latin and French, with the modern sense of a hard choice between competing options.

Types and usage: Moral or ethical dilemmas arise when duties or values conflict, such as situations where all feasible actions have ethically problematic consequences. Practical dilemmas occur in policy, law, or management, requiring trade-offs. In rhetoric and logic, the dilemma is a formal argumentative structure that presents multiple alternatives to force a conclusion; a dilemma can be used persuasively to illustrate problematic choices.

Examples: The trolley problem is a well-known ethical dilemma illustrating the tension between saving lives and harming one. In everyday life, a person may face a dilemma between studying for an exam or attending an important family event, with consequences for grades or relationships.

See also: Dilemma; Trolley problem; Moral philosophy; Decision theory.