How do we, as humans, arrive at what we call morally or ethically good or bad decisions? What processes are involved in making ethical decisions? Is there a way to move towards ethical maturity and how will being ethically mature assist us with any future decisions we might make?Ethical Maturity in the Helping Professions provides a comprehensive overview of the most influential ideas in ethical thinking across the ages and considers the ethical challenges faced in various contexts of educational, research, business and organisational sectors. The book reflects on the history, philosophy and science of ethics through an interdisciplinary approach and encourages the reader to consider their own ethical decision-making and what influences play a role in shaping them. The authors also introduce a brand new model for becoming an ethically mature professional.This book is essential reading for practising and student psychotherapists, psychologists, counsellors, psychiatrists, social workers, nurses, health care and allied professionals.
Acknowledgements. Foreword by Professor Tim Bond. Preface. Introduction. Overview of the book. Part One. The Foundations of Ethical Maturity: History, Philosophy and Science. 1. Setting the Scene: The moral landscape 2. Ethical maturity and unethical behaviour. 3. A very, very short story of ethics. 4. Socrates and Aristotle: Moral character and moral action. 5. The brain and ethics. 6. Relational ethics 7. What is ethical maturity? Part Two. The Six components of ethical maturity. 8. Component 1: Creating ethical ethical sensitivity and mindfulness. 9. Component 2: The process of ethical decision making. 10. Component 2: Maximising choices: Free will, accountability and responsibility. 11. Component 2: Conscious ethical discernment and decision making. 12. Component 2: The influence of the unconscious on ethical decision making. 13. Component 3: Implementing ethical decisions. 14. Component 4: Ethical accountability and moral defence. 15. Component 5: Ethical sustainability and peace. 16. Component 6: Learning from experience and integrating new learning into moral character. 17. Training in ethical maturity. Part Three. Applied ethical maturity in challenging contexts. 18. Organisations, contexts, ethics and maturity. 19. Bought and sold: The ethics of gifts. 20. The ethics of research: Enhancing knowledge and being ethically mature by Professor Tim Bond. 21. And finally References
''Ethical Maturity in the Helping Professions is an interesting and accessible read which is ideal for counselling, coaching, and psychotherapy students and graduates alike. I know that supervisors will ask me about getting copies of the book.'' Professor Maria Gilbert, Joint Head of Integrative Department, Metanoia Institute, London ''I love this book. It provides an excellent summary of the issues and takes the discussion about ethics to a new level of maturity. I have made it required reading for our students.'' Professor David Lane, Middlesex University, UK, and Director of the Professional Development Foundation ''The authors bring a refreshing approach to this complex and challenging area of enquiry. Each chapter provides a wealth of carefully selected theory and helpful case examples to assist the reader to explore and understand the basis of their own and other's ethical positions and actions. The book is of interest to all those who aspire to making the world a 'better' place for all of its citizens and I would recommend it to all students training to work in the helping professions.'' Sheila Furness, Senior Lecturer in Social Work, University of Bradford, UK
