Quote:
Originally Posted by stopdog
I care about my students and clients. It still does not give me the right to do anything other than give them the best advice I have and then to let them choose what to do with that information. Caring does not trump the autonomy of another. I don't really think caring matters one way or the other at all. Whether it is me that is doing the caring or someone else. Certainly not doctors or therapists. Massive harm and suffering have been perpetrated upon other people in the name of caring or for their own good. This is very important to me and my rant.
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I don't think there can be such a fine line between caring and giving information. One has to realize that the way the information is given (such as whether it's given in a caring manner or not) will have an influence on the person, whether the person knows it and acknowledges it or not. If both the giver and the receiver are aware of this and accept it, it can allow a greater degree of honesty and autonomy, but I don't believe there's such a thing as absolute autonomy where the person isn't influenced by the "information giver
This reminds me of an episode in In Treatment where Gina (Paul's T) says "I took care of you for many years. Does that bother you?" I think allowing onesself to be taken care of, and acknowledging that one needs help sometimes, including emotional help, is part of being vulnerable and human.