Arthur Kleinman explores the narratives of individuals as a backdrop for his observations on how adversity affects morality and self-identity. Kleinman offers in this book a groundbreaking approach to ethics; examining personal identity and moral choices in the context of the disturbing issues of our time: war, globalization, poverty, social injustice, sex, and religion.

He defines genuine reality and cultural pretense through the lives of individuals who have found themselves caught in circumstances where those things that matter most to them: status, relationships, personal resources, political and religious commitments, life itself has been challenged by the society around them. Each is caught up in existential moral experiences that define what it means to be human. Their stories reveal how malleable moral life is, and how central danger is to our worlds and our livelihood. The course discusses ethical issues surrounding the 'medicalization' of life tragedies and the role of the therapist as they confront suffering people in a world of uncertainty. Kleinman's view of ethics will provide the clinician a wealth of information to ponder.

Educational Objectives

• Understand the implications of living a moral life amidst danger and uncertainty
• Understand and define 'genuine reality' and its influences on ethics
• Define the medicalization of life's losses
• Understand the context of moral experience in ethics
• Understand the treatment of PTSD and the 'harmony of illusions'
• Understand the centrality of ethics in forging policies and people helping programs
• Understand and define the ethical struggles faced in the midst of tyrannical government control
• Understand deeper ethical issues to therapeutically address chronic pain, illness and disease
• Understand the interaction of cultural meaning, social experience and subjectivity in shaping moral life

Syllabus / Course Instructions

• The Course consists of reading the selected book, successfully completing an online posttest and filling out a course evaluation.
• The book is not included. It must be purchased separately. We have supplied a link to Amazon.com for your convenience.
• Purchasing your course will give you access to both a printable copy of the test and an online version. Print the test to use as a companion as you read the book and answer the questions.
• You cannot exit the online test once you begin, so have your answers available.