What's a profession without a code of ethics? Being a legitimate profession almost requires drafting a code and, at least nominally, making members follow it. Codes of ethics (henceforth “codes”) exist for a number of reasons, many of which can vary widely from profession to profession - but above all they are a form of codified self-regulation. While codes can be beneficial, it argues that when we scratch below the surface, there are many problems at their root. In terms of efficacy, codes can serve as a form of ethical window dressing, rather than effective rules for behavior. But even more that, codes can degrade the meaning behind being a good person who acts ethically for the right reasons.
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- Leaning on the Ethical Crutch: A Critique of Codes of Ethics
- Sadowski, Jathan (Author)
- Consortium for Science, Policy and Outcomes (Contributor)
- ASU-SFI Center for Biosocial Complex Systems (Contributor)
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Digital object identifier: 10.1109/MTS.2014.2363985
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Identifier TypeInternational standard serial numberIdentifier Value0278-0097
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& Sadowski, Jathan (2014). Leaning on the Ethical Crutch: A Critique of Codes of Ethics. IEEE TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY MAGAZINE, 33(4), 44-47. http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/MTS.2014.2363985