UU150 Final: What Are Ethics
What Are Ethics?
You might have wondered why I started talking about ethics without defining it. Partly it is
because I wanted you to reflect on issues that are directly relevant to any discussion about
ethics: respect for human dignity, and critical self-consciousness. And partly because there
is no single definition of standards of conduct that guide decisions and actions, based on
duties derived from core values.
That said, I would like you to take a few minutes to read through the 12 Principles of Ethical
Conduct, which has been prepared for people who plan to be involved in community service-
learning. These offer food for thought. Reflect on these as they might apply to your own
community engagement experience, or one you might have in the future. Also consider
which of these principles you find most valuable, and why. You will need to refer back to
these principles for assignment 1.
Principle 1
Respond within the limits of your training and skill. When you receive requests for help that
require skills beyond your training, expertise, or jurisdiction you must know your personal
limits and not exceed the boundaries of your knowledge and skills by making suggestions or
implying knowledge that you may be lacking.
Principle 2
Acknowledge your limits openly by saying that you do not know rather than pretending false
expertise. Even within the limits of your role, you will be asked questions, the answers to
which you do not know. Do not play the role of expert! Saying, “I don’t know”, is much
more helpful than faking it. You can still consult with your supervisor and/or make inquiries
to find the information you need. In many cases, helping others to problem solve is even
more helpful than having the answer every time!
Principle 3
When in doubt – consult! When confronted with a situation in which you are uncertain as to
what to do, or you think there may be some conflict or dilemma, it is important that you
consult with your community supervisor. Your supervisor and your academic instructor can
be your greatest resource and they want to help you. Remember that uncertainty is NOT a
measure of incompetence!
Principle 4
Maintain the privacy and confidentiality of others as long as privacy protects the person or
people being helped. In an ideal world, your relationship with individual community
members seeking your help is private and the nature of your helping interaction implies that
you will not divulge personal information about them. This implied ‘standard’ protects the
individual’s privacy, and it also promotes a level of trust that makes self-disclosure possible.
However, if you receive information that reveals a potential danger to the community
member or others, you MUST consult with your community supervisor and determine an
appropriate method for intervention.
Principle 5
Show respect for others and for human dignity. Tolerance and acceptance of both the
individual person and their circumstances are important prerequisites for any helping
relationship. No person with whom you work should feel that they are being treated in a
condescending manner. All contact – and information from that contact – should be
conveyed with respect, privacy, and confidentiality. The exceptions to this rule are when an
individual agrees that sharing with others is appropriate or if the information gained puts
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
You might have wondered why i started talking about ethics without defining it. Partly it is because i wanted you to reflect on issues that are directly relevant to any discussion about ethics: respect for human dignity, and critical self-consciousness. And partly because there is no single definition of standards of conduct that guide decisions and actions, based on duties derived from core values. That said, i would like you to take a few minutes to read through the 12 principles of ethical. Conduct, which has been prepared for people who plan to be involved in community service- learning. Reflect on these as they might apply to your own community engagement experience, or one you might have in the future. Also consider which of these principles you find most valuable, and why. You will need to refer back to these principles for assignment 1. Respond within the limits of your training and skill.
