Ethics: A Recognized Area of Study - Ethics has become a recognized field of study. There are scholars and researchers in this area and a complete literature. One can receive graduate training in Ethics and a distinction is made between Ethical Theory and Applied Ethics. Ethical Theory addresses conceptual issues such as moral theory, relativism, and rights. Applied Ethics addresses the problems and sensitive issues that face our culture today. Examples of issues in Applied Ethics include abortion, the death penalty, welfare, animal rights, and euthanasia. The ethical issues that we face as animal trainers will be addressed in the Applied Ethics area. As the field of Ethics has become more sophisticated, many professional organizations now have a Code of Ethics. Professionals interested in the study of ethics can join the Association for Practical and Professional Ethics**. This association has an annual conference, a newsletter, and it provides a variety of services to members.
Ten Core Ethical Principles: In other fields such as psychology, behavior analysis, and education, practitioners have turned to some specific ethical principles that can be used to guide ethical decision making (Beauchamp r Childress, 1989, Frankena, 1973, Josephson, 1991, Kitchener, 1985). Koocher and Keith-Spiegel (1998) have identified nine core principles that are seen repeatedly in the ethics literature. As animal trainers, we may never all agree on what is
4. Be Just - Actions that are
5. Being Faithful -
