Etica ed ethos professionale. Ovvero: l’uomo, animale a responsabilità limitata

Abstract

The ethos of a profession, studied from the perspective of special applied ethics, has the deontological code as a reference. The recourse to a specific code exempts the professional from the risk of universal responsibility, and excludes extra-professional responsibilities. A deontological code, therefore, fixes a predefined operative standard, a normative rule of procedure, typical to the profession. Life and work are largely characterized by a “normality” of sorts, but not always. The rise new and unforeseen situations, often stimulated by technological progress, demand the integration of laws, codes, and principles with personal virtue, and with prudence above all. It would be a mistake that risks a wrong solution to an ethical emergency for one to reject his proper responsibility due to a formulistic and literal reading of the code. This work, therefore, analyzes the challenges of professional deontology (and of fundamental ethics) a propos relativism in today’s politically correct climate.