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Application of the Normative Ethical Theories

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The professional ethics issue that arises from Case 1.2 is based on Dr. Smith’s actions, presenting the question: “Is it wrong to not report child abuse and essentially hide evidence of abuse by not documenting, to enable a child abuser to obtain counseling that they have not previously sought?” The two theories used to examine this question will be Rule Utilitarianism and Kantian Deontological ethics.
Rule Utilitarianism
The basis of Utilitarianism requires the complete maximization of happiness. This is a consequentialist theory that consists of the good, what goal is morally worth pursuing, and the right, or what is done with the good. Rule Utilitarianism focusses on types of actions which conforms to rules applied to the Greatest Happiness Principle, examining the long term consequences rather than immediate. When there is an act that follows this rule, it will produce as much overall happiness as any alternative rule.
When examining the above moral using Rule Utilitarianism, we examine the overall happiness. In applying the greatest happiness principal, the long term consequences are examined. Dr. Smith is treating abusers who would have not sought assistance for fear of being reported. With treatment, both the abuser and the child’s happiness can be increased over the long term.
Dr. Smith refuses to report child abuse to the authorities and does not include any mention of abuse in his documentation. Keeping the promise of not reporting, is a moral obligation and a rule. By reporting the child abuse, he is unethical by rule utilitarian standards. If he broke that promise and reported the abuse, others may be fearful and not seek treatment, therefore resulting in untreated abusers and an overall decrease in happiness. By not reporting, he increases the level of happiness of the client, allowing them to obtain counseling that they would not normally seek

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