559 - Professional Ethics: Power and Paradox

Professional Ethics: Power and Paradox
By Karen Lebacqz
Nashville, Abingdon, 1985. 189 pp. $11.95.

This clearly written book contributes to a growing literature on professional ethics by focusing on clergy. The author, Professor of Christian Ethics at Pacific School of Religion, proposes an unfolding, three-part framework for decision-making. First, prima facie duties point to right action by drawing attention to morally relevant features of situations. Second, the concept of social role is used to talk about character, especially fidelity/ trusteeship and prudence. The third part addresses the paradox that professional power is given to serve others (for clergy, the power to "define reality"), but professional structures tempt to self-serving paternalism. The remedy appeals to liberation and justice: power, distributed as evenly as possible, should be used to free persons from oppression. The framework is cumulative, so that the second part informs the first and the third informs both the first and second parts. Autonomy is the underlying value throughout.

This knowledgeable and thoughtful book is suggestive about social role, character, and trusteeship, and in its focus on structures of power. Could more be said about other virtues, for example, courage? Aren't limitations

560 - Professional Ethics: Power and Paradox

of power also structures of possibilities? "Liberation" does not adequately grasp Lebacqz's own perceptions of ambiguity, for example, "community is gained for one person at the expense of a new dilemma for someone else." Theology, as an articulated perception of God, is neglected. Little attention is paid to differing tasks of ministry. Still, it is a disciplined and suggestive book.

Charles M. Swezey
Union Theological Seminary
Richmond, Va.