Intersectional ethics: a pedagogical heuristic for ethical deliberation

ABSTRACT

The intersection of ethics and diversity is central to our profession—yet it remains critically unexamined. This article seeks to fill this gap by suggesting the use of a new ethical deliberation heuristic: intersectional ethics. Grounded in intersectionality as a social theory and anti-oppressive practice, intersectional ethics utilizes six heuristic questions to consider positionality, social identity categories, dominant and non-dominant moral theories, professional mandates, and power. These questions are incremental and cumulative in nature; they are meant to engage and support anti-oppressive ethics, and to promote critical inquiry and reflexivity. Specific recommendations—including modules—are made for integrating the heuristic in social work ethics curriculum.

KEYWORDS:

• Ethics
• diversity
• intersectionality
• anti-oppressive
• reflexivity

Acknowledgment

The author wishes to thank Anthony A. Bibus, Professor Emeritus, Augsburg University, Department of Social Work, for his helpful review of the initial manuscript. The author also wishes to thank the reviewers for their helpful feedback.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Bibiana D. Koh

Dr. Koh joined the School of Social Work at Salisbury University as an Associate Professor in Fall 2021. She was previously at Augsburg University (Minneapolis, Minnesota) for nine years, where she held a three-year university appointment (2018-2021) as the Batalden Scholar in Applied Ethics. Her work in this role focused on (a) examining the intersections of ethnicity, culture, and ethics and, (b) extending applied ethics conversations to non-Eurocentric ethical approaches including Buddhist, Neo-Confucian, and Hmong Shaman. She has clinical experience in multiple settings including schools, community and hospital-based clinics, group homes and shelters, and private practice. She has lived and taught overseas in China, Korea, Morocco, and Laos. She has also been part of team-led heritage tours to Korea, Vietnam, and Kazakhstan with transnational/intercountry adoptive families.