Killing as a Psychological Service?
February 26, 2007
A recent article in the National Psychologist (November, 2006) raises some excellent questions about beneficence, the idea of always acting in the best interests of patients/clients. Author Martin Williams, a clinical and forensic psychologist, points out that beneficence is sometimes difficult to apply, and may blur the traditional understanding of the physician’s or counselor’s role.
Examples cited include the role of a psychologist in police hostage negotiations, participation in torture, and mental health treatments designed make a condemned murderer competent to undergo the death penalty.
This is a fascinating summary, showing that applying the principle of beneficence may actually be quite complex.