Resolving Ethical Dilemmas in Social Work Practice

Book excerpt: Is it right for a relative to assist in the suicide of an ailing loved one? Is it fair for a boss to avoid firing an employee? Ethics is a hot topic these days. Hardly a day goes by without a news story detailing breaches of ethical conduct in government, business, education, and the professions. Ethical dilemmas test the personal value system of all individuals at different points in their lives. This book provides a unique integration of theory and practice, by presenting ethical dilemmas that many people will encounter in their careers and personal lives, and offering models for classifying value conflicts and making ethical decisions. This how-to approach provides a way of thinking about values and ethics that permits the reader to make his or her own decisions based on rational decision-making models. The author provides numerous examples that encapsulate all sides of certain ethical conflicts, helping readers to visualize and understand the issues and processes involved in resolving ethical dilemmas. The book is divided into three sections: Values, Ethics, and Autonomy & Paternalism. Social workers, educators, theologians, and professional and community leaders. A Longwood Professional Book