The Relevance (or Irrelevance) of Consequences to Social Work Ethics


 

Publication Date: September 1974

Publisher: Jewish Communal Service Association of North America

Author(s): Charles S. Levy

Research Area: Social conditions

Keywords: Professionalism; Social Services; Ethics

Type: Report

Abstract:

The author explores the relationship of consequences to ethics in the realm of social work. He contends that professional ethics are generally formed by values, to the exclusion of the consideration of consequences. Incompetence, in other words, can be more easily excused than an unethical action with positive consequences. The author further explores the dilemmas faced by social workers dealing with clients who act unethically, forcing the workers to choose between ethical purity and professional effectiveness.