A rotating panel of experts from the worlds of philosophy, psychology and religion offer their perspective on the dilemmas that come with living in Southern California.

Today’s Question: You tell a potential employer that you are committed to doing the offered job, but do not reveal that you have applied for a coveted fellowship or are waiting to hear about an excellent (but longshot) job possibility. Is this right? Is there a better way to handle this?

KENMAN WONG

Associate professor, Biola University School of Business; co-author, “Beyond Integrity, a Judeo-Christian Approach to Business Ethics”

When facing moral dilemmas, it is good to ask yourself what your response would be if you were in the other position. Misleading a potential employer on this matter is wrong. It constitutes lying, and other qualified candidates for the position may be lost. In this case, it is best to be forthright although you need not go into detail about your other prospects. Many employers are willing to wait for an answer if you are the person they really want to hire. In some instances, disclosing the fact that you have other options may actually increase your bargaining power.

LAURA SCHLESSINGER

Nationally syndicated radio talk show host; author, “How Could You Do That? The Abdication of Character, Courage and Conscience.”

It is immoral to make someone else unwittingly assume your risks. A value system that elevates personal gain (coveted fellowship or excellent job) above one’s character (the commitment made) is certainly not the value system you would prescribe for the world. What if the fellowship officials accepted you until they got what they thought was a more attractive candidate? The “better way to handle this” is to make a choice yourself, honoring it in spite of your potential loss or disappointment.

LEONARD PEIKOFF

Chairman emeritus of the Ayn Rand Institute; author of “Objectivism: The Philosophy of Ayn Rand”

To offer a false assurance in exchange for a job is flat-out fraud, albeit on a small scale. If some assurance is necessary, why not tell the employer that you have other applications out? It shows your honesty and initiative, and can hardly be news to an experienced hirer. But if and when he makes you a definite offer and you accept it, you are thereby committed to him, and will so notify the others involved. If this can’t be said truthfully, my advice is to pass up the job, wait out the coveted possibilities, then, if necessary, start looking again from scratch.

Compiled by JOHN DART, Times Staff Writer