Article
Details
Citation
Dow S (2013) Codes of Ethics for Economists: A Pluralist View. Economic Thought, 2 (1), pp. 20-29. http://et.worldeconomicsassociation.org/article/view/65
Abstract
Within the discussion of ethics and economics some have considered designing a code of ethics for economists. But the idea of such a code is potentially problematic from a pluralist standpoint. Some possibilities are discussed here to show that any code concerning the behaviour of economists presumes a particular view of human nature and thus of professionalism. Further, issues of socio-economic power in the profession pose problems for the interpretation and implementation of some possible principles, notably those referring to standards of competence and truth-seeking. It is therefore concluded that any code of ethics should take the form of general guidelines, with primacy given to the ethics of pluralism: tolerance, even-handedness and open-mindedness, on which the interpretation of all other ethical considerations rests.
Keywords
code of ethics; epistemology; pluralism
Journal
Economic Thought: Volume 2, Issue 1
Status | Published |
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Publication date | 31/12/2013 |
URL | |
Publisher | World Economics Association |
Publisher URL | |
ISSN | 2049-3509 |
People (1)
Emeritus Professor, Economics