History Main / MoralDilemma

[[quoteright:300:[[Literature/TheBible https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/eve_apple2.jpg]]]]

Of course, that's not to say that not all those possibilities are equal. A MoralDissonance 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 BigBad but had no such problem [[WhatMeasureIsAMook killing random Mooks]]. Or the audience themselves might [[BrokenBase dispute the character's decision]] and wish they did something 'more awesome/badass'. Or the character might make a choice that's completely OutOfCharacter to their previous characterization.

Of course, that's not to say that not all those possibilities are equal. A MoralDissonance 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 BigBad but had no such problem [[WhatMeasureIsAMook killing random Mooks]]. Or the audience themselves might [[BrokenBase dispute the character's decision]] and wish they did something [[CompletelyMissingThePoint 'more awesome/badass']]. Or the character might make a choice that's completely OutOfCharacter to their previous characterization.

Unsurprisingly, moral dilemmas are rich with {{Aesop}}s. There's always a lesson to be learned if someone [[GoodFeelsGood makes the right choice]]--or makes the [[NiceJobBreakingItHero 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 may shift into an AntiHero or go [[JumpingOffTheSlipperySlope jumping off the slippery slope]] entirely. A villain who chooses to do the right thing can be elevated to a NobleDemon or even [[HeelFaceTurn redeem himself]] - because sometimes EvenEvilHasStandards.

* SadisticChoice: Having to choose between two immoral actions.

* SadisticChoice: Having to choose between two immoral actions.
* IfYouKillHimYouWillBeJustLikeHim: Having to choose between killing a villain or sparing him.
* ToBeLawfulOrGood: Having to choose between the law and personal morals.
* HeelFaceRevolvingDoor: Having to choose between good and evil.

->''This road is full of choices,
->Tough decisions,
->Rough mistakes.
->Take the high road or the easy street.
->The choice is yours to make.''
-->[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9ftp85HLdk Todrick Hall Papi]]

[[quoteright:300:[[Literature/TheBible http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/eve_apple2.jpg]]]]
[[caption-width-right:300:Mmmm ... it ''does'' look like such a delicious apple ...]]

Ever since the dawn of humanity people have wrestled with their ethical dilemmas - to [[AsTheGoodBookSays eat that delicious fruit]] despite God telling you not to, to [[IfYouKillHimYouWillBeJustLikeHim kill someone who has threatened you]], or to [[CowardlyLion help someone at the possible cost of your own safety]]. There's no choice more eternal and more obnoxiously inescapable as the moral dilemma, and that's why it's been featured in every kind of media ever created. [[SpaceWhaleAesop Even the ones that wouldn't normally apply]].

Naturally, the 'right' choice (if there [[AboveGoodAndEvil is one]]) will vary depending on the [[SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism tone of the work]], the [[CharacterDevelopment character in question]], the [[ShadesOfConflict morality involved]], the [[WhatTheHellHero reactions of the characters or audience]], the [[ValuesDissonance morality of the culture]], and much, much more. To say that the possibilities are endless is an understatement (even if you TakeAThirdOption).

Unsurprisingly, moral dilemmas are rich with {{Aesop}}s. There's always a lesson to be learned if someone [[GoodFeelsGood makes the right choice]] - or makes the [[NiceJobBreakingItHero 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.

->"''Take the high road or the easy street. The choice is yours to make.''"

-->'''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9ftp85HLdk Todrick Hall Papi]]

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 [[JumpingOffTheSlipperySlope jump off the slippery slope]] or even push themselves straight into being an AntiHero. A villain who chooses to do the right thing can be elevated to a NobleDemon or even [[HeelFaceTurn redeem himself]] - because sometimes EvenEvilHasStandards.

[[quoteright:300:[[TheBible http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/eve_apple2.jpg]]]]

Naturally, the 'right' choice (if there [[AboveGoodAndEvil is one]]) will vary depending on the [[SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism tone of the work]], the [[CharacterDevelopment character in question]], the [[ShadesOfConflict morality involved]], the [[WhatTheHellHero reactions of the characters or audience]], the [[ValuesDissonance morality of the culture]], and much, much more. To say that the possibilities are endless is an {{Understatement}} (even if you TakeAThirdOption).

[[quoteright:300:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/eve_apple2.jpg]]

!!This trope's definition is under dispute. Please feel free to participate in the [[http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=wzo5knki8ybwvq01f1225koa&page=1 forum thread]]

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