Professional Ethics: An Empirical Test of the "Separatist Thesis"

In: Journal of public administration research and theory, Band 1, Heft 2, S. 131-146

Abstract

The appropriate contribution of professional judgment in a democratic society is considered in a test of seven ethical dimensions of the "separatist thesis," which states that professionals have distinctly different ethics than do citizens. Analysis of survey data obtained from 2,218 physicians & 5,855 citizens of Colo indicates that these professionals do have separate ethics, but more in degree than in kind, & with greater emphasis on individual than on social or substantive ethics. Dialogical communities, reasoned ethical discourse, & practical strategies of ethical review committees are necessary to blend professional & citizen ethics in the public interest. 2 Tables, 35 References. Adapted from the source document.