1st Edition

Anthropological Ethics in Context An Ongoing Dialogue

Edited By Dena Plemmons, Alex W Barker Copyright 2016
    249 Pages
    by Routledge

    250 Pages
    by Routledge

    This volume examines general ethical principles and controversies in the social sciences by looking specifically at the recent three-year revision process to the American Anthropological Association’s code of ethics. The book’s contributors were members of the task force that undertook that revision and thus have first-hand knowledge of the debates, compromises, and areas of consensus involved in shaping any organization’s ethical vision. The book-reflects the broad diversity of opinion, approach, and practice within anthropology and the social sciences;-develops ethical principles that reflect core values rather than the latest ethical controversies;-crafts clear, broad statements, increasing the likelihood that the ethical code will be a meaningful part of the daily discourse of practicing anthropologists;-develops the ethical code as a living document, or a process of experience and debate, subject to future revision and amplification;-provides explanation through internet links and other resources, ensuring that the finished product be relevant and vibrant.

    Prologue: Ethics, Work, and Life--Individual Struggles and Professional "Comfort Zones" in Anthropology, Virginia R. Dominguez Chapter 1: A Short History of American Anthropological Ethics, Codes, Principles, Responsibilities—Professional and Otherwise, David H. Price Chapter 2: Revisions to the AAA Ethics Code in Current Context, Dena Plemmons Chapter 3: Bookend: Framing the Code, Dena Plemmons and Alex W. Barker Chapter 4: Do No Harm, Katherine MacKinnon Chapter 5: Be Open and Honest, David H. Price Chapter 6: Make Your Results Accessible, Alex W. Barker Chapter 7: Obtain Informed Consent, Dena Plemmons and Robert Albro Chapter 8: Balancing Competing Obligations, Nathaniel Tashima and Cathleen Crain Chapter 9: Protect and Preserve Your Records, Alex W. Barker Chapter 10: Maintain Respectful and Ethical Professional Relationships, Dena Plemmons Chapter 11: Bookend: Codes, Principles and Trimming the Tree: What’s Missing and Why?, Alex W. Barker and Dena Plemmons Chapter 12: Thoughts on Professional Diversity in Anthropology, Laura A. McNamara Afterword: Ethics as Institutional Process, Monica Heller Index About the Authors

    Biography

    Plemmons, Dena; Barker, Alex W

    "In principle, our professional responsibilities are easy to recite and apply equally to us all, regardless of our organizational affiliation or specialty. For each of us, however, fulfilling these responsibilities requires thoughtful planning, resourceful problem-solving, and practiced judgment in specific situations. It is thus essential to keep the conversation going, to continue educating one another about how to do no harm, do some good, and be fair about it. This volume candidly and skillfully explains what is at stake and how we have made important choices in breathing life into ethical principles."

    --Edward Liebow, AAA Executive Director

    "The special contribution of this volume is that it focuses not on prescriptive ethical rules but on the continuous process of making hard ethical choices faced by all anthropologists. The book strongly emphasizes the ongoing struggles by anthropologists to work in an ethical manner within diverse settings of multiple stakeholders, contradictory values, and continuous change."

    --Janet E. Levy, UNC Charlotte