The role of ethical theories in decision making by social workers

Rujla Osmo*, Ruth Landau

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

24 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study analyses the arguments provided by a convenience sample of 62 Israeli social workers for their preferred ethical principles in terms of ethical theories. Content analysis of arguments given in four different contexts shows that the large majority of social workers in the study based their arguments on either deontological or utilitarian ethical concepts, less frequently using concepts from virtue theory, rights theory and care theory of ethics. However, the analysis reveals a discrepancy: when social workers were requested to justify their rank ordering of ethical principles without reference to a specific practice situation, they most frequently preferred concepts reflecting deontological theory of ethics, such as right intention, universalism, and duty. In contrast, when confronted with a specific practice situation, the social workers' most frequently chosen concepts were relating to results, consequences, and utility, concepts identified with the utilitarian theory of ethics. In view of the findings, the need for more thorough knowledge of a variety of ethical theories and their potential role in ethical decision making in social work practice and education are discussed.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)863-876
Number of pages14
JournalInternational Journal of Phytoremediation
Volume25
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2006

Keywords

  • Ethical Argumentation
  • Ethical Decision-making
  • Ethical Dilemmas
  • Ethical Principles
  • Ethical Theories

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