BharatNotes Dilemma
nounUsage in a UPSC answer
Confronted with the classic developmental dilemma of pursuing rapid industrialisation while honouring its climate commitments, India must craft policies that reconcile growth imperatives with the demands of ecological sustainability.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
dilemma (n), dilemmas (n pl), dilemmatic (adj), lemma (n), lemmas (n pl)
Root
Greek di- = having two of; lēmma = premise, proposition; Late Latin dilemma = ambiguous proposition
Etymology
From Late Latin dilemma, from Ancient Greek δίλημμα (dilēmma, "ambiguous proposition"), from δι- (di-, "having two of") + λῆμμα (lēmma, "premise, proposition"); first attested in English in 1523.
Memory Hook
Di- means 'two' (as in dioxide, dual) + lemma 'premise': a DILEMMA traps you between TWO bad options, like being stuck on the horns of a bull.
How This Word Works in UPSC Writing
A choice between alternatives each of which is unacceptable in some respect. The precision that a case-study answer needs is that a genuine ethical dilemma is a conflict between two valid obligations, so whichever is chosen something of real value is surrendered, and this distinguishes it from a temptation, where the right course is perfectly clear and only self-interest opposes it. Many situations presented as dilemmas in public life are in fact temptations, and saying so is often the strongest opening a candidate can make. The classic axes are truth against loyalty, individual against community, short term against long term, and justice against mercy. The resolution frameworks attend to different things, consequentialism asking which option produces the better outcome, deontology which respects the binding duty, and virtue ethics what a person of good character would do, and deliberately applying more than one is what a strong answer does, since where they diverge that divergence is itself the finding.
Don’t Confuse It With
A dilemma is a conflict between two valid obligations so that something of value is lost either way, whereas a temptation offers a clear right course opposed only by self-interest, and telling them apart is the first step in any case study. Moral residue is the regret that properly remains even after choosing rightly in a genuine dilemma. Consequentialism judges by outcomes, deontology by duties and virtue ethics by character. A conflict of interest is a situation rather than a choice, and can be declared and managed rather than resolved.
Hindi Meaning
दुविधा (duvidhā); नैतिक दुविधा for an ethical dilemma.
Common Questions
- What is the difference between a dilemma and a temptation?
- In a genuine dilemma two valid obligations conflict so something of value is lost whichever way one chooses, while in a temptation the right course is clear and only self-interest argues against it.
- What is moral residue?
- The regret or discomfort that properly remains after resolving a genuine dilemma, which is itself evidence that a real obligation was set aside rather than merely a preference.
Seen in UPSC Question Papers
- Mains 2023 · GS4 · 20 marks — Ethics in Public Administration
- Mains 2022 · GS4 · 20 marks — Ethics in Public Administration
- Mains 2016 · GS4 · 12 marks — Administrative Ethics / Social Justice / Rule vs Compassion
Real UPSC previous-year questions whose text uses “Dilemma” — proof this word earns its place on your list.
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