Professional Ethics: A Trust-Based Approach

Professionals have duties that go beyond those of ordinary citizens due to the unique trust they must invite, develop, and honor from those they serve. To be effectively trustworthy, professionals must develop the virtues necessary to be responsive to the vulnerability of those they serve and communicate that responsiveness to others. Professional communities should develop conduct standards that promote professional trustworthiness in both fact and appearance.

Format: Hardback
Length: 176 pages
Publication date: 01 March 2018
Publisher: Lexington Books

It is widely acknowledged that professionals such as doctors, nurses, engineers, and teachers bear responsibilities that extend far beyond those of ordinary citizens. However, there exists significant disagreement regarding the underlying reasons for these heightened duties. In his book Professional Ethics: A Trust-Based Approach, Terrence Kelly posits that these responsibilities arise from the unique trust that professionals must establish, nurture, and uphold with the individuals they serve. Without trust, the integrity and effectiveness of professional practice would be severely compromised, and the autonomy cherished by many professions would vanish. Consequently, professionals have compelling reasons to be "effectively trustworthy," meaning they cultivate the virtues necessary to be responsive to the vulnerabilities of those they serve. They also strive to effectively communicate their responsiveness to others. Achieving effective trustworthiness necessitates a commitment from professionals on an individual and collective level, as they are responsible for fostering a culture of trust within ethical communities. These communities can and should develop virtue-based professional education programs that promote the formation of trustworthy character and articulate an ethical vision of the trustworthy professional that resonates with the realities of the profession. Given the significance of trust, professional communities also have valid reasons to establish conduct standards, such as those addressing conflicts of interest, that uphold professional trustworthiness in both substance and appearance.

Weight: 422g
Dimension: 236 x 159 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781498513623