Abstract

“Insofar as ethics occurs in the context of human relationships, our ability to discern right from wrong and good from bad depends to a significant extent on how open we allow ourselves to be to others. By sharing and comparing stories we learn to better appreciate where our lives and experiences intersect with the lives and experiences of others. Ethics takes place at this intersection. In a very real and important sense, the ethical landscape of each clinical encounter is subtly negotiated through shared understanding. Through sharing we cultivate empathy, and from empathy we internalize the motivation to behave toward others as we ought. Empathy is the impetus to respect, and respect is the core of ethics. Narrative is the mechanism that brings it all together.”.