duty vs. compassion theme

Someone is forced to choose between following their duty on the one hand, and acting to help a fellow being out of compassion on the other.

34 total · 10 choice · 16 major · 8 minor

StoryLevelMotivation
bbf3x12 choice Vir helped Narn at risk to his career
columbo1971e10x07 choice The story led up to the following dilemma for Lt. Columbo: Should he do his duty and capture the two murderesses, or should he look the other way on account of the victim having been an abusive man? He settled for (the half-measure) of letting the younger of the women go free.
ds91x15 choice Kira about evicting her friend Mullibox
ent3x17 choice Archer is accused of neglecting his duty for caring for Xindi insectoid eggs.
movie: The Conformist (1970) choice Marcello about killing Anna's husband
tng2x07 choice Pulaski :: Pulaski defies the rules in her efforts to cure the disease
tng2x15 choice Picard :: Data, seconded by Picard, violates Prime Directive to save Sarjenka
tng7x20 choice Picard ordered to move colonists by force, but feels torn by compassion to let them stay
tz1985e3x12 choice Warren had to choose between his duty to the bank and his compassion for the poor sods he was foreclosing.
voy6x10 choice Barclay violated orders by continuing his efforts to contact Voyager crew