My apologies if this has already been suggested, but there are some interesting homologies between design and anthropology (notwithstanding some important differences), so how about looking at the American Anthropological Association's statement on ethics? http://www.aaanet.org/profdev/ethics/ but particularly the "code of ethics" found here: http://www.aaanet.org/issues/policy-advocacy/upload/AAA-Ethics-Code-2009.pdf
Juris Milestone, Ph.D.
Department of Anthropology
Temple University
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On Nov 11, 2010, at 7:42 AM, Francois Nsenga wrote:
> Hi Toon
>
> In his post addressed to Jeffrey (and to us all) a few days ago, Terry asked
> two questions:
>
> - what he meant by 'design'
> - how he would enforce ethical behaviour by designers
>
> Indeed, perhaps as a start in your endeavor, you should first determine
> precisely whom you wish to be ethical: the draftsperson? the technician? the
> -freelance or inhouse-manager? the teacher? the politician/community worker?
> the civil servant & policy maker? etc. All these are designers acting in
> various positions where slightly different and specific ethical requirements
> apply.
>
> A broad reference (if not already proposed in the extensive bibliography
> suggested by Anne-Marie Willis) that, in my view, exposes best the
> conceptual terrain for the kind of reflection you wish to engage in on how
> ethics should apply in the design field, is Bruno Latour's* Reassembling the
> social: an introduction to Actor-network theory*, Oxford ; New York, Oxford:
> University Press, 2005. What I retained after reading it a while ago is that
> a designer, the professional involved in any of the several above enumerated
> sub-expertises (see Terry and Ken's compilation), could/should be viewed as
> a judge in a court. All concerned (stakeholders) are summoned into a 'thing'
> (court) and, after pondering on each participant's claims, the judge renders
> an informed and impartial judgment. In a design perspective, the judgment is
> rendered on which form and content the artifact should take, and in which
> corresponding context(s) should it be used in order to respect the law
> (convention) as agreed upon by all concerned.
>
> So, everything here, ethics included, is a matter of social/cultural
> convention by all present in the 'thing'. And in all societies/cultures the
> instituted role of the judge (designer) requires that this latter be
> competent in her jurisdiction, objective in considering only evidenced
> facts, and impartial vis-à-vis all claimants.
>
> Bonne chance in your study, and I am curious to learn where this will lead
> you!
>
> Francois
> Montreal
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