Citation

Willette C. Can. J. Commun. Ment. Health 1998; 17(2): 27-38.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1998, Wifrid Laurier University Press)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

10538153

Abstract

This paper describes the application of Habermas's communication ethics in resolving an ethical dilemma that arose in the daily operation of a women's hostel. By generating the conditions of practical discourse, several obstacles to an open, non-hierarchical discussion among staff were removed. The process aided the clarification of differing views within an atmosphere of mutual respect. The discourse resulted in a modification of usual practice that might not have been achieved if an unexamined interpretation of standard policy had been applied. Some difficulties and limitations of this adaptation are also described.

Language: en