ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the authors begin by looking at the debates that have occurred around the ethical virtues and set out arguments regarding critical interpretations of them as crucial for placing them among the vital qualities of social workers. Compassion and care are closely related, which is why they are addressed together here. They then provides a comparative examination of the way in which they interact and support each other Compassion is distinguished from the ethical 'vices' of indifference and pity, and is shown to be a significant factor in the highly valued capacity of empathy. The importance of compassion and care as significant ethical virtues does not devalue justice, respect, dignity and rights; rather, it adds to readers understanding of the commitment needed to undertake the social work.
