ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces an ethical framework that balances the extremes of universalism and relativism by accounting for cultural differences while recognizing the common, universal harms all rational people wish to avoid, known as common morality. As social problems resulting from global migration and interdependence of countries around the world have increased, the need for additional attention regarding ethical cross-cultural social work is needed. B. Gert conceptualized and published his common morality framework in 1970. Gert’s explication of the moral system accounts for how moral rules violations are justified or not. The common moral system is: an informal public system; agreed upon by all rational individuals; is characterized by impartiality; and consists of both moral rules and ideals. Common moral rules must be applied impartially to all rational persons. Common morality takes the best of “what works” from idealistic frameworks of deontology and utilitarianism and melds them into a decision-making system that puts clients’ best interests first, and from their perspective.
