The Problem of Dirty Hands: The Moral Dilemma of Public Life.
Abstract
The problem of dirty hands in public life is defined as the predicament of the agent of the state who is required in fulfilling his duties to perform acts that for a private citizen would be considered immoral. The problem is approached as a particular form of moral dilemma, and recent works are reviewed which find the dilemma to be generated by conflicts of obligations as defined by opposing moral theories. It is argued that theories that depend upon absolute moral prohibitions, which cannot be justifiably violated under any circumstances, lead inevitably to moral dilemmas. Consequential moral theories, on the other hand, provide methods of calculation that allow conflicts obligations to be resolved, but suffer from serious problems concerning individual rights. The conclusion is that moral theories must allow principles to be applied contingent upon real circumstances to avoid moral dilemmas such as that of 'dirty hands'. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 21, 1981
- Accession Number
- ADA098419
Entities
People
- Jonathan Mark Faith