Codes of Ethics for Economists: A Pluralist View

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

People

Professor Sheila Dow

Emeritus Professor, Economics