New Approaches in Ethics for the Caring Professions

Ethics are central to the caring professions. The very idea of a profession stakes a claim on the ethical basis of knowledge and skills. In this book Richard Hugman examines new approaches in ethics and applies these to the practices and organisation of the caring professions. Hugman addresses debates about the relationship between the individual person and social structures, about pluralism and the possibility of universal values, about the challenges created by industrial society and technology, and about the changing social mandate for the caring professions. These debates are considered from the perspectives of liberalism, feminism, ecology, postmodernism and constructivism. Ideas are explained and the implications for professional ethics are explored using illustrative examples from practice to show their relevance for the caring professions.

This book will be essential reading for members of caring professions (especially allied health, medicine, nursing, psychology, social work and teaching) and students entering these professions.

Auteur

Richard Hugman is Professor of Social Work at the University of New South Wales, Australia.

Contenu

Preface
Contemporary Professional Ethics
Key Debates About Ethics
Why Professional Ethics?
The Intelligence of Emotions and the Ethics of Compassion
Feminism and the Ethics of Care
Ecology and the Ethics of Life
Postmodernity and Ethics Beyond Liberalism
Discourse Ethics: Constructivism or Critical Realism?
Re-evaluating Professional Ethics
Discursive Professional Ethics
Glossary of Terms
Bibliography
Index.