Etical dilemmas in Psychotherapy: an example from a novel

Abstract

The paper consists of several interrelated layers. Although the foreground is the main topic of ethical dilemmas which includes work with children and young people, my intention is also to clarify the basics of ethics as a philosophical discipline. It seems that basic knowledge and understanding of ethics is important for psychotherapists and trainees that they do not expect universal and unique answers. I will use an example from Schlink's novel The Reader as the basis for the explanation of the two basic approaches in traditional ethics. The questions raised will then be related to the issues of psychotherapy and pedagogy as well. The whole will thus demonstrate the importance of relational approaches in ethics, psychotherapy and pedagogy.