Conundrum

/kəˈnʌndrəm/

noun

A difficult problem or puzzling question. A conundrum can also be a riddle whose answer depends on wordplay.

The ordinary problem sense fits 'ethical conundrum'. Joyce's dialogue uses the word playfully in a request for the time; that contextual joke should not be taught as the usual meaning.

See how James Joyce and Neal Stephenson use "conundrum", with its meaning, pronunciation and real book examples.