Exploring Ethical Dilemmas in 'Gypsy' - Movie Analysis Essay

Introduction

The concept of ethical dilemmas happens when the situation depicts various conditions that guarantee the definition. These conditions include the agent that decides on the right course of action needed, the existence of different classes of action to choose from, and the lack of a perfect solution for a particular work take (Finnis). The lack of response contributes to a compromise of various principles. This paper gives a detailed discussion of ethical dilemmas depicted in Gypsy, a television series distributed by Netflix.

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The series Gypsy represents a psychological thriller type of movie where the main character, Jean Holloway, a practitioner therapist, develops an intimate relationship with the individuals present in her patient's lives. This relationship poses a great danger to the concerned parties in different ways. The other characters present in the series include Michale Holloway, Claire Rodgers, Alisson Williams, Alexis Wright, and Zal (Rubin). The moral dilemma in the series, Gypsy, appears in several instances of the relationship of the main character and the dictates of her work environment.

The prevailing ethical theories depicted in this movie through the main character comprise of ethical egoism and ethical relativism. These theories help in defining the underlying moral dilemmas experienced by the characters and how they shape the thinking and reasoning when the concerned persons decide to make their professional decisions (Rubin). The choices need to observe the best interest that saves the community and the individual with less compromise.

Inappropriate Relationships

This concept of ethical egoism ensues when the main character in the series, Jean, engages in various inappropriate relationships with the clients and people who remain close in the lives of the patients. The appropriate code of ethics for professional psychologists dictates refraining from multiple relationships if they could contribute to impairing objectivity and competence of the psychologist (Rubin). The character, however, violates this code of ethics based on psychology egoism theory on multiple occasions. The concept explains what we are morally required and forbidden to do at a particular time.

The violation of ethical egoism happens when on therapy session with one of the clients, Sam, Jean, would disclose some information that requires confidentiality. This disclosure of information damages the competence and effectiveness of the therapist. The recommendation issued to Sam by Jean on dating other women also violates the ethical egoism and also depicts some sense of feminism ethics (Rubin). This concept tries to make Sam feel superior as compared to other gender and instills a belief that he can dominate and control women in society.

The visiting of Sidney to Sam's apartment constitutes another violation of ethical egoism when the character fails to uphold the well being of improving a person (Rubin). When Sam suggests the satisfaction of the therapy and that he needs to stop attending sessions, Jean tries to convince him otherwise. This convincing nature, depicted by a therapist, shows a representation of violation of standards ethics.

The appointment made by Jean for weekly visits to the salon where her client's daughter, Claire, attends also violates the work ethics (Rachels). These visits result in the interrogation of Rebbecas life and her relationship with her mother. The association continues to grow until Rebecca invites Jean to a dinner where her character almost manifests through a game of reading each person's text messages.

Professional Knowledge Violation

The therapy session depicts violations of client's standards by Jean that dictates that psychologists should work based on professional knowledge. The progress in time unfolds a lack of using clinical knowledge and skills that help in aiding the client (Rubin). The psychologist employs manipulations tactics and information she should not be aware of in her profession. The experience of the character contributes significantly to changing the life and perception she posses and advice the client.

The understanding of personal conflict by the psychologists can intervene in the daily duties and enquire about the need to suspend work duties or take a break temporarily. The character has marital issues with her mother for procuring transgender operations. However, jean fails to consult or process sudden life changes (Shafer-Landau)

Jean also violated the daily occurrences of ethics, where she had to change the name's ego Diane Heart who she claimed meddled with her clients' loved ones. The character lies to her workmates and friends about her life occurrences, which also presents an ethical dilemma. The role compromises her integrity and lies that she missed some duties due to marital disagreements with her husband. Jean steals pills from a different mother who has has a daughter in the same school with hers and writes her prescription (Rubin). This act violates the work ethics and compromises the health of the two parties involved. The first party suffers blow due to underdose while the other risks consequences of the wrong prescription.

Resolving Ethical Dilemmas

The resolution of multiple relationships depicted by the character requires a psychological approach. The person solving these cases needs to ensure that they don't affect any rights to confidentiality (Prieto). A person may need to consult jean and warn her about the issues she crosses the ethics limit, which can lead to further action, such as reporting to relevant authorities.

The psychologist fails to take necessary action to resolve the misuse of her work or other people's work. One can speak to the colleague and explain the implications of using plagiarized work. The character needed to remain honest with herself, and this concept would help to avoid the ethical dilemmas which arose.

Critiques of Moral Relativism

These critiques on the theory may appear unsuccessful, but they give more limelight on the issue of ethics. The reviews argue that this theory represents a hypocritical view and a lack of well-formed articulations (Polzler). The critiques majors on morals rather than focusing on the relativism in general. Some of these arguments depict society as completely lacking moral truth. The claim that individuals do not possess noble truths then renders the discussion of ethical relativism a void concept. The community also fails to accept what people consider honest on various bases that arise from differences in cultures.

Moral relativism contains s a bad reputation about the concept of morality. The idea does more harm as compared to its interest in the society. The biggest problem in society arises from moral relativism, which contributes to the denial of moral objectivity (Stein). The warnings of this theory rely on assumptions about human psychology, and this notion spoils the need for morality in society. The concept of moral relativism represents a general idea as compared to the other theory, and it affects the community in various ways.

Works Cited

Finnis, John. Fundamentals of ethics. Georgetown University Press, 1983.Polzler, Thomas. "Is Moral Relativism Really A Problem?". Scientific American Blog Network, 2019, https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/is-moral-relativism-really-a-problem/.

Prieto, H. (2018, March). Analyzing ethical dilemmas through the lens of the television show Gypsy. [Web article]. Retrieved from http://www.societyforpsychotherapy.org/analyzing-ethical-dilemmas-through-the-lens-of-the-television-show-gypsyRachels, James. "Ethical egoism." Ethical theory: an anthology 14 (2012): 193.

Rubin, Lisa. Gypsy. Netflix, 2017.Shafer-Landau, Russ. "The fundamentals of ethics." (2009).

Stein, Joshua. "Moral Relativism Is More Reasonable Than You Think." Medium, 2018, https://arcdigital.media/moral-relativism-is-more-reasonable-than-you-think-3c85b40c3cb9.