I strongly recommend visiting the following link for a short summary of current discussion about the relevance of and dilemmas concerning Codes of Ethics:
http://ethics.iit.edu/codes/Introduction.html
Torill
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Hi everyone, there's a lot of very valuable information here, and I think its a great start. A lot to think about and reflect over. I've read the SOPHE code of ethics too, and I'll come with my comments very soon. I have an article that I really need to finish...hope to be finished at the weekend. Then I'll be able to focus on this work. I also want to look at ethics generally from a philosophical point of view, what ethics means, why ethics are important, different approaches to ethics etc, in order to provide a solid foundation for our work. How does this sound?
Best wishes to you all,
Gabrielle
Best wishes to you all,
Gabrielle
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
SOPHE code of ethics - some reflections
REFLECTIONS OVER THE SOPHE CODE OF ETHICS
http://www.sophe.org/about/ethics.html
After reading the SOPHE Code of Ethics my main impression is that this is a thorough document covering many important areas. We can discuss this document in more detail at a later stage. But for now, I just wish to share some questions the code created in me:
1. Codes of ethics are said to build on an organization’s shared values. Still, in article I section 8 the rights of others to hold diverse values are underscored. Is this a conflict?
2. Article I section 2 claims that health educators facilitate the ‘best balance of benefits over harm for all affected parties’ – maximum benefit. Philosophically, this may be in conflict to the ‘no harm’ principle which is underscored in article V section 1.
In one way, I know this is just details – but still I think this is important for us to consider. In many ways, I feel that a comprehensive CoE must cover so many areas that it is bound to ‘bite its own tail’ at some point – to become self-contradictory. This raises the question of what we mean to achieve by having a CoE. Is it meant to be a document by which we present health promotion to the world, or is it meant to be of guidance to health promoters in their research and practice? How detailed and how comprehensive should a code be? How general, how specific? I believe it is possible to put down an endless amount of work in a code that no one will ever put to any use. A long and very general code will cover most situations and cultures, but might become too ‘heavy’ to be of any practical use.
How do we make a code that we can communicate to the diverse world of health promoters? Which kind of structure can we have to make it easy to remember and adhere to, like key principles? What should be the scope of it, who are we making it for?
There you are – I’m just raising a lot of questions. I think we are well into our process!
Torill
http://www.sophe.org/about/ethics.html
After reading the SOPHE Code of Ethics my main impression is that this is a thorough document covering many important areas. We can discuss this document in more detail at a later stage. But for now, I just wish to share some questions the code created in me:
1. Codes of ethics are said to build on an organization’s shared values. Still, in article I section 8 the rights of others to hold diverse values are underscored. Is this a conflict?
2. Article I section 2 claims that health educators facilitate the ‘best balance of benefits over harm for all affected parties’ – maximum benefit. Philosophically, this may be in conflict to the ‘no harm’ principle which is underscored in article V section 1.
In one way, I know this is just details – but still I think this is important for us to consider. In many ways, I feel that a comprehensive CoE must cover so many areas that it is bound to ‘bite its own tail’ at some point – to become self-contradictory. This raises the question of what we mean to achieve by having a CoE. Is it meant to be a document by which we present health promotion to the world, or is it meant to be of guidance to health promoters in their research and practice? How detailed and how comprehensive should a code be? How general, how specific? I believe it is possible to put down an endless amount of work in a code that no one will ever put to any use. A long and very general code will cover most situations and cultures, but might become too ‘heavy’ to be of any practical use.
How do we make a code that we can communicate to the diverse world of health promoters? Which kind of structure can we have to make it easy to remember and adhere to, like key principles? What should be the scope of it, who are we making it for?
There you are – I’m just raising a lot of questions. I think we are well into our process!
Torill
Guidance for writing a code of ethics
Dear all,
I have done some VERY QUICK looking into things that are important as we set out to draft a code of ethics. I wouldn't call it fundamentals of ethics per se, rather some fundamental considerations to take as we set out drafting a code.
I will soon post some comments I have about the SOPHE code of ethics - which I find a thorough document which raises some dilemmas we should discuss. I'll return to that. But first, just a summary of what I have read about drafting codes of ethics:
GUIDANCE FOR WRITING A CODE OF ETHICS
This is a short résumé from the content of the website ‘Guidance for writing a code of ethics’ by Chris MacDonald, PhD (http://www.ethicsweb.ca/codes/) I strongly recommend visiting this site for a helpful introduction and many good links.
A WHY HAVE A CODE OF ETHICS?
1. To define accepted/acceptable behaviours;
2. To promote high standards of practice;
3. To provide a benchmark for members to use for self evaluation;
4. To establish a framework for professional behaviour and responsibilities;
5. As a vehicle for occupational identity;
6. As a mark of occupational maturity.
B QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER BEFORE YOU SET OUT
1. Purpose of the code – regulate behaviour? Inspire?
2. For guidance or regulation? Might a statement of values or a code of conduct do the job?
3. Tailor a CoE to the needs and values of your organization
4. Two common elements:
a. Aspirational – the ideals the organization hopes to live up to
b. Rules or principles – members expected to adhere
5. Any kind of enforcement? If so, which?
6. Order principles or values in order of importance to organization
7. Think carefully about the process of creating a code – the process might be as important as the code itself
a. A small group? All those affected?
b. How to destill values into a document?
8. How to implement code?
a. How to publicize, inside and outside organization?
b. How to implement in policies and practice?
C CONSIDERATIONS FOR WRITING A CODE OF ETHICS
1. Tailor-make your code for your organizations values
2. Get ‘employees’ involved
3. Consult key stakeholders
4. Outsource the job only carefully – the code must be yours
5. Seek out good examples
6. Be clear about scope – who should adhere to the code?
7. Be specific about implementation
8. Plan for education
9. Be clear about enforcement
10. Specify a sunset date – codes of ethics need to be revised at times
Key words:
Specificity, tailoring, process of inclusion, occupational identity, occupational maturity, thoughtful planning
I have done some VERY QUICK looking into things that are important as we set out to draft a code of ethics. I wouldn't call it fundamentals of ethics per se, rather some fundamental considerations to take as we set out drafting a code.
I will soon post some comments I have about the SOPHE code of ethics - which I find a thorough document which raises some dilemmas we should discuss. I'll return to that. But first, just a summary of what I have read about drafting codes of ethics:
GUIDANCE FOR WRITING A CODE OF ETHICS
This is a short résumé from the content of the website ‘Guidance for writing a code of ethics’ by Chris MacDonald, PhD (http://www.ethicsweb.ca/codes/) I strongly recommend visiting this site for a helpful introduction and many good links.
A WHY HAVE A CODE OF ETHICS?
1. To define accepted/acceptable behaviours;
2. To promote high standards of practice;
3. To provide a benchmark for members to use for self evaluation;
4. To establish a framework for professional behaviour and responsibilities;
5. As a vehicle for occupational identity;
6. As a mark of occupational maturity.
B QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER BEFORE YOU SET OUT
1. Purpose of the code – regulate behaviour? Inspire?
2. For guidance or regulation? Might a statement of values or a code of conduct do the job?
3. Tailor a CoE to the needs and values of your organization
4. Two common elements:
a. Aspirational – the ideals the organization hopes to live up to
b. Rules or principles – members expected to adhere
5. Any kind of enforcement? If so, which?
6. Order principles or values in order of importance to organization
7. Think carefully about the process of creating a code – the process might be as important as the code itself
a. A small group? All those affected?
b. How to destill values into a document?
8. How to implement code?
a. How to publicize, inside and outside organization?
b. How to implement in policies and practice?
C CONSIDERATIONS FOR WRITING A CODE OF ETHICS
1. Tailor-make your code for your organizations values
2. Get ‘employees’ involved
3. Consult key stakeholders
4. Outsource the job only carefully – the code must be yours
5. Seek out good examples
6. Be clear about scope – who should adhere to the code?
7. Be specific about implementation
8. Plan for education
9. Be clear about enforcement
10. Specify a sunset date – codes of ethics need to be revised at times
Key words:
Specificity, tailoring, process of inclusion, occupational identity, occupational maturity, thoughtful planning
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Distribution of Work
Hello All,
I have been thinking of how we can distribute the workload for our preliminary research. I was thinking that once Torill has done her research on the fundementals of ethics, we can divide those fundamentals up between us (and add others we feel are important), research those areas independently and then report back on our assigned area. Hopefully, we'll be able to split them up according to our interests.
What do you think of this approach?
Hope
I have been thinking of how we can distribute the workload for our preliminary research. I was thinking that once Torill has done her research on the fundementals of ethics, we can divide those fundamentals up between us (and add others we feel are important), research those areas independently and then report back on our assigned area. Hopefully, we'll be able to split them up according to our interests.
What do you think of this approach?
Hope
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