ABSTRACT

This chapter draws together the three themes developed in previous chapters of this book—ethical virtues, skills and knowledge—to make explicit our approach to ethical decision-making. It argues that the good social worker is able to combine moral judgement with dispositions developed through a process of critical reflection. The chapter examines some of the more formulaic approaches to ethical decision-making models. It discusses rational model, virtue ethics models, transcultural integrative model, and inclusive model. While we believe the inclusive approach is an invaluable tool for mapping aspects of a specific moral problem, it shares the focus of other models on the resolution of dilemmas. Ethical decisions depend on a 360-degree assessment. This involves the idea that we circle around, looking at each aspect or mode in turn, before we make our decision to act.