Question

"Samuel J. Miller, Elwood, lost his professional counselor license when it was discovered that he was in a sexual relationship with a patient beginning the day he terminated his therapeutic relationship with the patient. In addition to this, he failed to maintain billing and clinical records for services rendered to that patient and her child. In a separate incident, Miller also bartered his professional services with another patient in exchange for electrical services without a proper written agreement."

Analyze the above from a consequentialist and a deontological point of view. That is, using Mill’s classical Utilitiarianism, Kant’s Categorical Imperative (Formula of the End in Itself), and W. D. Ross’ Prima Facie Duty to determine the normative status of the case (i.e., determine whether the action of the agent is right, wrong or permissible).

Answer 1

Utilitarianism suggests that an act would be considered ethical if it maximizes benefits to maximum number of people and reduce any harm. This would mean that the actions of the counsellor were mutually beneficial to those involved and there was no visible harm found. Deontological ethics, on the other hand, suggests that an act would be considered ethical if it fulfils the duty without worrying about the consequences. This would mean that the acts of the counsellor are wrong because the counsellor shouldn’t have violated the duty no matter what the consequences were.

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