healy-2007-universalism-and-cultural-relativism-in-social-work-ethics

SW 625 M9

Universalism

The philosophical perspective that ethical principles apply universally across cultures and contexts.

Cultural Relativism

The belief that ethical standards are culture-specific and that no universal ethical standards exist.

Deontological Ethics

An ethical framework that emphasizes fixed moral rules and the inherent rightness or wrongness of actions.

Teleological Ethics

An ethical perspective that evaluates the morality of actions based on their consequences rather than fixed rules.

Self-Determination

The right of individuals to make their own choices regarding their lives and personal affairs.

Equality and Non-Discrimination

The principle that all individuals should have equal rights and opportunities and not be treated unfairly based on certain characteristics.

CEDAW

The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, a key international treaty aimed at achieving gender equality.

Human Rights

The fundamental rights universally entitled to all human beings, regardless of nationality, sex, ethnicity, etc.

Ethical Decision-Making

The process of evaluating and choosing among alternatives in a manner consistent with ethical principles.

Global Definition of Social Work

A framework that outlines the values and principles guiding the social work profession worldwide.

IFSW

The International Federation of Social Workers, an organization that represents social workers globally and promotes social work ethics.

Intersectionality

The complex interplay of social categorizations such as race, class, and gender that create overlapping systems of discrimination.

Cultural Competence

The ability of social workers to recognize and respect clients' cultural differences and adapt their practice accordingly.

Individualism vs. Collectivism

A cultural dimension that contrasts the importance of individual rights and autonomy with that of group rights and communal responsibilities.

Ethical Principles Screen

A tool used to prioritize ethical values in decision-making, often involving a hierarchy of principles.

Communalism

A social theory that emphasizes the importance of community and collective responsibility over individual liberties.

Harm

The concept in social work ethics that dictates actions should strive to do no harm to clients and minimize harm in interventions.