Ethics - Do you have any?

First and foremost we have to ask ourselves a few questions about ethics. Do we know how to define the word ethics? Based on the definition, Are ethics important to you or are they not? How do your ethics affect your daily life? and How are they implemented when it comes to design?

Ethics are the moral foundation on which people build their lives. They assist in decision making, guiding you to participate in actions that meet your internal moral standards. Ethics represent the core value system you use for everyday problem solving. They create a framework for determining “right” versus “wrong”.

When defining personal ethics, there are several aspects to consider which can vary greatly from person to person. What makes up the framework of ethics is loosely based on elements of value. Starting with the value of others - or how one person treats another person in terms of respect, concern for their well being and recognition of their autonomy. It strongly impacts the depth and longevity of relationships. Next is the value of society - or how one interacts with society as a whole also speaks to their ethical standards. This includes compliance with the law, conforming to generally accepted social norms, and contributing to the community. And lastly and probably the most important, the value of self - or how a person presents themselves is an indicator of personal ethics. This refers to trustworthiness, honesty, reliability, and consistency.

Personally, Ethics are important to me! I have personal values, morals and ethics that I tap into almost everyday. On a daily basis different things come my way in which I am to make decisions on. I think about them, process them, and then make my decision. Within that process stage is when I decide whether or not the decision I make with affect my ethics, morals or values. They certainly affect my daily life but they are definitely not a hindrance in any way. Implementing ethics into design could be a little trickier. What if you were presented with a design project but it was for a business or person and you don't like or support. Would you be putting your ethics to the side to take that job? or Would that internal voice in your head tell you that it is "wrong?"and not take the job because it goes against your personal ethics.

We as designers will be facing the real world every single day while working in this career field. It is up to us and our personal ethics to decide whether or not we would take a particular job. Everyone is different and so are their ethics. There will be conflicts at some point in the future but as long as you stay true to your own personal ethics then you wont have any problems. Just keep it professional when turning down a job if it goes against what you believe is "right."