Social Work, Law and Ethics

Since studying, among other subjects, philosophy at university, I have always been keen on using philosophy to provide a framework for exploring some of the apparently intractable dilemmas facing everyday social work practice. This book outlines and uses four philosophical perspectives to explore these moral dilemmas. The four perspectives are Kantianism, utilitarianism, virtue ethics and care ethics. They are set out in a straightforward manner and then applied throughout the book to particular situations involving among others child abuse/safeguarding, and consideration of compulsory admission in relation to mental illness. Although the depth of exploration of these moral perspectives does not go as far as I would have liked, the case examples and questions set in each chapter give plenty of material for social work students to engage with, puzzle over and discuss endlessly. Perhaps this is where consideration in more depth of the advantages and disadvantages of these perspectives can take place. I would certainly have used it for teaching ethics and law with all years of students both at BA and MA Social Work levels because depth of exploration could be facilitated further by skilled tutors.