Professional Ethics
Learning Goals
- Define ethics and identify its four main types.
- Differentiate between personal and professional ethics.
- Identify the key elements and characteristics of professional ethics.
What is Ethics?
Ethics is the science of conduct. Derived from the Greek word ethos (character), it determines the rightness or wrongness of human actions.
Types of Ethics:
- Meta Ethics: Deals with the origin of ethical principles (e.g., spiritual vs. human-created).
- Descriptive Ethics: Empirical research into what societies consider right or wrong.
- Normative Ethics: Arriving at rules of self moral conduct.
- Applied Ethics: Principles designed for specific situations (e.g., Bio-ethics, Engineering ethics, Business ethics).
Personal vs. Professional Ethics
The biggest difference lies in strictness and compliance. Personal ethics are defined by you, and non-compliance only affects your personal conscience. Professional ethics are codified by a company or governing body; non-compliance can result in severe professional consequences (fines, firing, loss of license).
Key Elements of Professional Ethics
- 1Step 1
Being truthful, consistent, and avoiding deception or fraud in any form.
- 2Step 2
Taking responsibility for your actions and protecting sensitive client/company information.
- 3Step 3
Performing only within your expertise and prioritizing the safety and well-being of the public over corporate gain.
Characteristics of Professional Ethics
Professional ethics are unique because they are:
- Codified: Documented as a formal "Code of Ethics."
- Universal: They apply equally to all members of that profession, regardless of rank.
- Dynamic: They evolve with technology, society, and the law.
- Enforceable: Breaches lead to disciplinary actions like suspension or expulsion.
Knowledge Check
Which branch of ethics involves designing codes for specific situations, like 'Business Ethics' or 'Medical Ethics'?