ETHICAL VALUES

Professional ethics helps to reveal, support, and strengthen certain fundamental human values. Examples of values include kindness, care and compassion, trust and reliability, justice and fairness, duty to others, non-violence and harm reduction, accountability, and social responsibility.

There are three types of human values embedded in the profession:

1) Human values on which the profession is based;

2) Professional values;

3) Moral values.

All three of these values are interactive. The result of such interaction can be positive when they reinforce each other, align in the same direction, and strengthen social and ethical values. This can be referred to as cooperative interaction.

However, the interaction can also be contradictory, leading to a clash of values, which may disrupt social cohesion, causing conflicts and tension. Another possible outcome of the interaction of these values is a situation of cooperative conflict. In such cases, the parties involved in the initial value conflicts can resolve them peacefully through collaboration, and all will benefit from a mutually beneficial situation that maximizes their goal achievement.

Practical task. Complete the test below to assess whether your decisions would be ethical in the given situations.