1 | [[quoteright:300:[[Literature/BookOfGenesis https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/eve_apple2.jpg]]]] |
2 | [[caption-width-right:300:Mmmm... it ''does'' look like such a delicious apple...]] |
3 | |
4 | ->''This road is full of choices,\ |
5 | Tough decisions,\ |
6 | Rough mistakes.\ |
7 | Take the high road or the easy street.\ |
8 | The choice is yours to make.'' |
9 | -->-- "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9ftp85HLdk Todrick Hall Papi]]" |
10 | |
11 | 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]]. |
12 | |
13 | '''The main kinds of moral dilemmas are:''' |
14 | |
15 | [[index]] |
16 | * FriendOrIdolDecision: Having to choose between someone you care about and your mission. |
17 | * GenocideDilemma: Having to choose between destroying the evil enemy race or letting them wreak havoc. |
18 | * HeelFaceRevolvingDoor: Having to choose between good or bad. |
19 | * IfYouKillHimYouWillBeJustLikeHim: Having to choose between killing a villain or sparing him. |
20 | * LifeOrLimbDecision: Having to choose between cutting off your body part to escape a trap or staying trapped until you die. |
21 | * SadisticChoice: Having to choose between two immoral actions, one of which can be [[SuicidalSadisticChoice suicide]]. |
22 | * ToBeLawfulOrGood: Having to choose between the law and personal morals. |
23 | * TwoRoadsBeforeYou: Having to choose between two mutually exclusive paths. |
24 | [[/index]] |
25 | |
26 | 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). |
27 | |
28 | Of course, that's not to say that not all those possibilities are equal. 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. |
29 | |
30 | 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 wrong choice and [[NiceJobBreakingItHero screws 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. |
31 | |
32 | 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. |
33 | |
34 | Expect a [[GoodAngelBadAngel good angel and bad angel]] to appear on a character's shoulders to debate the dilemma. |
35 | |
36 | Moral dilemmas may also not apply to people who consider themselves [[{{Ubermensch}} above such petty things]]. |
37 | |
38 | '''No examples please! Place examples in the specific moral dilemma trope itself.''' |
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/context.php
FollowingContext Main / MoralDilemma
Go To
- Show Spoilers
- Night Vision
- Sticky Header
- Wide Load