Code of Ethics by the American Anthropological Association

661 Words3 Pages
The establishment of a Code of Ethics by the American Anthropological Association demonstrates that the members of the anthropological community are aware that their object of study is the human being, and as such, research and teaching must include an ethical dimension in order to safeguard against possible negative consequences of the profession. Thus, the AAA Code of Ethics concisely recapitulates what anthropologists consider to be the meaning of ethics itself, according to the specific ethical issues that are highlighted in this document. In an examination of the AAA Code, it becomes apparent that the latter above all emphasizes the dignity of the human subject, to the extent that one could say the underlying message of this code is that the object of anthropological discourse must first and foremost always be considered a subject. The Code begins its understanding of ethics by stating that anthropological researchers are essentially confronted by two forms of obligations. The first is an obligation that does not differ from those of “members of other groups, such as the family, religion, and community” thus indicating that anthropologists have a basic social commitment and responsibility. At the same time however, there is an obligation to the “scholarly discipline”. The Code of the AAA can be read as attempt to sort through these “complex involvements and obligations” insofar as they conflict with each other: how may the necessary obligation to being part of a community and the social responsibilities that this carries, be reconciled with the scientific approach to the anthropological field? In light of this question, the Code specifically delineates relevant issues to help the anthropological reconcile these different obligations. The Code intends to provide “guidelines for making ethical choices in the conduct of their anthropological work.” These
Open Document