Problem
Most successful professional organizations have a code of ethics. A code of ethics may be defined as a written document providing a practical moral framework for moral decision making related to problems a professional in that field is likely to face. Unlike a manual of policies and procedures, a code of ethics is not intended to spell out in detail exactly what actions a person should take to address a specific issue. Instead, the code of ethics is intended to offer broad guidelines to help a professional to make a wise decision.
For example, the Software Engineering Code of Ethics has eight guiding principles.
A. Public: Software engineers shall act consistently with the public interest.
B. Client and Employer: Software engineers shall act in a manner that is in the best interests of their client and employer, consistent with the public interest.
C. Product: Software engineers shall ensure that their products and related modifications meet the highest professional standards possible.
D. Judgment: Software engineers shall maintain integrity and independence in their professional judgment.
E. Management: Software engineers shall subscribe to and promote an ethical approach to the management of software development and maintenance.
F. Profession: Software engineers shall advance the integrity and reputation of the profession consistent with the public interest.
G. Colleagues: Software engineers shall be fair to and supportive of their colleagues.
H. Self: Software engineers shall participate in lifelong learning regarding the practice of their profession and shall promote an ethical approach to the practice of the profession.
The complete code can be found at: ACM Ethics - Software Engineering Code.
At first glance, this code of ethics has much to recommend it. It promotes the public interest, integrity, ethics, and fairness. What's missing, however, is specific language promoting the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion. The Software Engineering Code of Ethics is not alone, of course. Many organizations have similar shortcoming in their codes of conduct.
Your task is to analyze a code of ethics related to your current or future career field and to make specific suggestions on how to revise it to better reflect the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion. The following questions may help you to develop your ideas.
1) Does the code of ethics use the vocabulary of inclusivity?
2) Which principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion are implied in the code but not explicitly stated?
3) What biases or assumptions does the code have?
4) What's missing? What's not in the code that should be?