By Elimu Assistant Team Roles of Professional Ethos, Ethics & Codes in Society
By the end of this lesson, you should be able to define key concepts and understand their importance in professional settings.
Learning Outcomes
Define professional ethics, professional codes, and professional ethos.
Describe the role(s) of ethics in society and within professions.
Identify how these concepts interact to create professional standards.
Key Definitions
Professional Ethics
Principles of behaviour or conduct that guide members of a particular profession; what workers are allowed to do and not to do.
Professional Ethos
The group identity of members of a profession; their unique customs or character (e.g., what identifies doctors, lawyers, etc.).
Professional Codes
A systematic collection of rules or laws arranged according to major concerns and core functions of the profession.
How They Connect
Ethos
Group identity & culture
The foundational beliefs and values that define a profession
Ethics
Principles of conduct
The moral framework derived from the profession’s ethos
Codes
Rules & standards
The formalised expression of ethical principles
Roles of Ethics in Society
Regulation & Clarity
Regulate the behaviour of professionals and help them understand their roles and responsibilities.
Quality & Performance
Ensure quality services, determine expected performance levels, and measure competence.
Relationships & Respect
Encourage respect among professionals and guide professional interactions.
Protection & Discipline
Safeguard professionals and the public, and provide a reference for disciplinary actions.
Trust & Esteem
Inspire respect for professions and help professionals earn public trust.
Knowledge Check
Can you define ethics, ethos, and codes in your own words?
List three ways ethics protects both the public and professionals.
How does a code of ethics help when disciplining a professional?
Explain how ethos, ethics, and codes work together in a professional context.
Group Activity
Discuss in pairs: Choose one profession and describe its ethos, two ethical rules it follows, and how its code protects the public. Prepare a 3-minute presentation.
