Professional Ethics and Visual Arts
Practitioner
JBD351
Lesson 1: Learning Outcomes
LO1: To demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the broad
meaning and concept of Professional Ethics.
LO2: To demonstrate knowledge and ability to identify and
resolve misconceptions between morals and ethics.
LO3: To demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the key
demands of the NTS as regards professional practice and values
including inclusivity and equity and apply same during
supported teaching in schools.
Concept of Professional Ethics
Who is a Professional?
Professional can be defined as a person who is engaged in a certain activity or
occupation. The term professional can only be referred to people who have
permanent career not for temporary workers; example the professions as
teachers, artists, doctors, engineers, lawyers, architects, etc.
Professional is someone that possesses specialized knowledge and skills. They
also belong to and abide by the standards of society and serve an important
aspect of the public good.
It can be described as a person formally certified by a professional body
belonging to a specific profession by virtue of having completed a required course
of studies or practices and whose competence can usually be measures against
an established set of standards (Strahlendorf(2005)).
Meaning of Ethics
Ethics is a system of moral principles. The term is derived from a Greek
word ‘ethos’ which means among other things, custom, habit,
character, or disposition.
It also refers to systematizing, defending and recommending concepts of
right and wrong conduct.
Ethics seeks to resolve questions of human morality by defining concepts
such as good and evil, right and wrong, virtue and vice.
It is concerned with what is good for individuals and society and it is also
described as a moral philosophy. Ethics is also considered as a branch
of Knowledge that deals with moral principles.
Lesson 1: Resolving misconceptions between
Ethics and Morals
Sociologically it is argued that an individual may determine their own moral
code; what is right and wrong—but a code of ethics is decided by a group or a
society, often to represent their institutional or professional standards across
regions.
An ethical decision is not one made based on the desirable outcome but the one
that will create the greatest good. In this sense, an ethical decision is not always
a comfortable one.
Additionally, ethical positions acknowledge when imbalances of power exist and
seek to correct them. The basic difference between morals and ethics is that,
morals, when violated, are not punishable by law whereas ethics once violated
are punishable by the statutory body of such profession.
Similarly, morals are not enforced but ethics are enforced.
Ethics Morality
The word Ethics originated from the Greek The word Morals originated from the Latin
word ethos. The meaning of ethos is a word Mos. The meaning of Mos is custom.
character
Legal guidelines and professional rules When it comes to the acceptability of Morality it
govern ethics. The acceptability of ethics transcends the norms laid down by culture.
is confined within a particular space and
time frame.
Ethics are dependent on the prism of Morality is seen from the perspective of an
others. individual.
If the contexts are different then the Change in Morality depends on the change in
ethics could be different, hence there is the beliefs of an individual.
some degree of flexibility in ethics.
Ethics are followed because society has Morality is followed because a person
decided that it is the right course of believes that it is the right course of
action action.
A person who follows the ethical There could be situations where ethics are
principles need not necessarily have violated by a moral person to maintain to
strong moral values, in fact, there are uphold his moral values.
even possibilities that he may not have
any morals.
Ethics is something usually associated in Morality has a religious connotation
the field of law, medicine or business.
Ethics does not have a religious
connotation.
Lesson 1: Concept of Professional Ethics
Professional ethics is concerned with the moral conduct and standards
governing the profession and its members.
Professional ethics will help a professional to make decision, control
their work pressure, control their task, specify the risk that will be faced
by professionals, integrity in work and many more.
Professional ethics will define the profession’s special relation to the
market place. Members earn livelihood in professional roles, accepting
certain standard in the form of codes, other measures, continuing
education and support mechanism for member.
Lesson 1: Concept of Professional Ethics
cont’d.
As a professional artist, if you are perceived as self-important, you may
get a reputation as difficult to deal with, and curators or customers will
lose interest, even if your work is strong. Note that customers also have
opinions and ideas of their own, and are not in the business of giving
deference to ego.
Having good relationships with colleagues is important, and a
collaboration is much more gratifying for both parties. Listen to what
others have to say, and consider your role in the relationship.
What’s on your mind?
What is your view about professional ethics?
How can you relate this lesson to your STS practice during the
vacation?
How can the misconception between ethics and morals be resolved?
