title: Moral strangers and moral acquaintances: how to conduct professional relationships in a society of captives: a commentary on Arrigo.
abstract: In this article, I examine Bruce Arrigo's target article and the implications of his thesis that the mental health and criminal justice systems marginalize vulnerable individuals through a variety of symbolic and discursive practices. In particular, I direct my attention to the problem of value pluralism and how it can create problems communicating across different moral communities. I apply the insights of relational ethics and the concept of moral acquaintanceship in an attempt to bridge this gap. I then discuss the implications of this framework for Arrigo's thesis and a story written by Amy Johnson describing the devastating effects of abuse, racism, and illness on a person of color.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand. Tony.Ward@vuw.ac.nz
authors.forename: Tony
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ward
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D011329:Prisoners / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D011330:Prisons; D062487:Social Marginalization
keywords: moral acquaintance; offenders; professional ethics