La ethics Ethics is a term that comes from the Greek word ‘ethos’. Initially, it meant ‘place of residence’. Over time, its meaning evolved to denote ‘character’ or ‘way of being’. Currently, ethics is a branch of philosophy that studies the principles that guide human behavior toward what is right or wrong, in order to promote an ideal society. Ethics is not just an abstract theory, but it profoundly influences our daily decisions, both in our personal and professional lives. In fact, it affects each of our actions, as it invites us to reflect on whether we are doing the right thing or not in our lives and professions. On the other hand, deontologyDeontology, whose etymological origin also comes from the Greek word ‘deontos’ (meaning ‘duty’), focuses on moral obligations. Specifically, deontology establishes norms that define the duties and responsibilities of professionals in the performance of their functions. Although often confused, ethics and deontology differ primarily in their scope and approach: while ethics is a set of principles oriented towards the good, deontology is the set of norms that must be followed based on professional duty.
Definition of Ethics and its Characteristics
Ethics is, in essence, a normative science that studies the principles governing human behavior. Unlike morality, which refers to norms imposed by society, ethics refers to the internal principles that each individual establishes for acting correctly. A key aspect of ethics is that it does not impose external rules; rather, each person freely decides what is right and wrong. From a philosophical perspective, ethics has been analyzed throughout the centuries by great thinkers. In fact, classical authors such as Aristotle They maintain that good is achieved through personal development and the pursuit of happiness. Descartes, the human being is responsible for his actions through the administration of his will, and only through the control of emotions such as love, hate or joy can one aspire to a full life. Socrates He also emphasized the importance of virtue, describing evil as a consequence of ignorance. In modern times, theories of Freud’s psychoanalysis They also influenced ethical studies. Freud argued that many of our ethical decisions are influenced by early experiences, such as those in childhood. In other words, lived experiences can determine how we act and how we adhere to the values ​​learned during our upbringing. Ethics, therefore, plays a crucial role in our personal development, our behavior, and our interaction with society.
Examples of Ethical Rules
- Health professionals must maintain the medical confidentiality, that is, not disclosing patient information without their consent.
- Lawyers have the professional secret, which means that they should not disclose their customers’ information without their explicit consent.
- Law enforcement officers, such as police officers, must exercise their power without using their position for personal gain.
These types of standards emerge naturally from the ethical field, since it is the professionals themselves who, based on their character and training, decide to follow them for the benefit of harmonious social coexistence.
Deontology: Theory of Duty
In the professional context, deontology is a discipline responsible for studying the rules that govern the behavior of professionals. These rules are established by the codes of ethics for each profession. A code of ethics establishes the ethical foundations upon which professionals must carry out their work. It is important to emphasize that professional ethics does not leave moral decisions to individualization, as ethics often does. While ethics is more subjective, professional ethics is more normative and is implemented more objectively.
Jeremy benthamOne of the leading figures in deontology explained that while ethics tends to focus on what is morally right or wrong from an individual perspective, deontology focuses on duties that must be adopted at a professional level to maximize well-being. These professional duties, when breached, can lead to sanctions within the professional sector, directly affecting the performance of its members. Professional institutions create and manage these codes of ethics. Examples range from medical associations to bar associations, engineering associations, and journalists’ associations. These codes establish the ethical rules that must be followed in each profession, along with sanctions for non-compliance.
Examples of Deontological Standards
- In medicine, the professional secret It is a fundamental duty to protect confidential patient information.
- Journalists should verify the veracity of the information before publishing them, always safeguarding their ethical integrity.
- In the legal field, lawyers must always maintain confidentiality of its clients, since its function is to represent them in the fairest manner.
Differences between ethics and deontology
In some contexts, ethics and professional conduct may seem to overlap, but they have distinct and important spheres of influence. In the professional sphere, professional conduct plays a fundamental role, establishing clear and objective rules about what behavior is permitted and what is prohibited or inadvisable. Ethics, on the other hand, is a more subjective set of principles that each individual adopts based on their personal values. It is often more flexible than professional conduct, as it allows individuals to choose what is morally right in their lives. Generally speaking, the differences can be summarized as follows:
- Ethic: Oriented towards the good, without fixed normative bases. It focuses on individual subjective principles and not necessarily on imposed rules.
- Deontology: Guided by duty. It is based on codes and standards that must be followed, especially in the professional field. It has a more normative and punitive character.
However, it is important to recognize that both approaches are neither mutually exclusive nor opposed, but rather complementary. Ethics inspires people to act with integrity when there are no rules that impose it. On the other hand, deontology ensures that a high professional standard is maintained.
Consequences of Non-Compliance with Ethics
Failure to comply with ethical standards has explicit and clear consequences. When a professional violates a code of ethics, they may face sanctions ranging from fines to the loss of their license to practice. For example, if a doctor violates the principle of confidentiality, they could face both sanctions from their professional association and legal repercussions. In contrast, an ethical violation, without regulatory backing, may have no formal consequences beyond social or personal criticism. Professional associations They play a crucial role in regulating the application and enforcement of codes of ethics. They are responsible for ensuring that all their professional members act within the frameworks accepted by society. Each professional sector, whether medicine, law, or journalism, has its own code of ethics and a system of sanctions for professionals who violate the established rules.
Application of Ethics and Deontology in Education
In the world of education, both ethics and deontology play a fundamental role. Teachers must not only fulfill their professional obligations, but also be models of ethical behavior for students. According to Michel Fariña (2000)Education is a space where various ethical conflicts arise from the relationship between teachers and students. Ethical values ​​allow teachers to address not only the technical aspects of teaching, but also social and emotional aspects. This means that a teacher must go beyond their responsibilities and act as a role model for students, effectively instilling ethical values. Complementarily, codes of ethics for teachers also detail their responsibilities toward colleagues and the educational community. Principles such as respect for human rights, equity, and justice are fundamental to ensuring a positive learning environment. A teacher may have academic training, but their development of ethical competencies is also key to facing the daily dilemmas that arise in academic settings.
The Need for Ethics and Deontology in the Globalized World
With the emergence of an increasingly interconnected and globalized world, it is clear that both ethics and professional conduct are essential to ensuring a balance between individual rights and social responsibilities. It is important to note that without clear ethics or effective professional conduct, certain professional and social activities could be affected by corruption, abuses of power, or a loss of public trust. Therefore, codes of ethics are essential in professional settings, as they regulate behavior to ensure it aligns with ethical values ​​and social well-being. Ethics, for its part, remains a guiding light, directing people in decision-making beyond imposed norms and inspiring them to act correctly even in contexts where there are no clear rules. Both concepts play a crucial role in creating a more just, equitable, and harmonious society. They must be present in every aspect of human behavior to foster healthier coexistence among people. Finally, it is important to remember that ethics is not just an individual matter, nor is professional conduct exclusive to professionals. Both concepts are present in everyone’s daily life, serving as a guide for making appropriate decisions for one’s own benefit and that of society as a whole.