Be Sensible: Emotions in Social Work Ethics and Education

Abstract

Link naar full text voor HU medewerkers This article argues that emotions are relevant for moral decision-making and therefore social work ethics training and education should pay attention to emotions. The article starts with a short review of recent research on moral decision-making. This research indicates that emotions influence moral decision-making. The usefulness of emotions is then discussed, illustrating that emotions can be beneficial for moral decision-making. Although emotions are supposed to be partial, and not under the control of the moral agent, a variety of authors argue that emotions can also be informative and may act as a moral marker and motivator. Therefore, emotions are relevant to the process of moral decision-making, and social workers should reflect on the moral significance of their emotions. The article finally explicates two ways to address emotions in social work ethics and education: first, social workers should reflect on their moral identity and perform emotion work. This can be supported by in-depth learning, but also by using moral reflection tools or conversation models. Thus, second, several suggestions are offered to integrate reflection on emotions into these tools and models