To follow ethical principles means to act according to fundamental moral standards that guide behavior to be right, fair, and respectful toward others. These principles serve as a foundation for making decisions and evaluating actions in a way that respects human dignity and promotes well-being. Key ethical principles commonly recognized include:
- Respect for Persons (Autonomy): Treating individuals as autonomous agents capable of making their own decisions, and protecting those with diminished autonomy. This involves honoring informed consent and allowing people to choose what happens to them
- Beneficence: Acting to do good, promoting the well-being of others, and preventing harm. It requires maximizing benefits while minimizing possible harms
- Justice: Ensuring fairness in the distribution of benefits and burdens, treating equals equally, and avoiding exploitation or discrimination
- Nonmaleficence: Avoiding causing harm to others, a principle closely related to beneficence but focused on not inflicting harm
- Fidelity (Integrity): Maintaining trustworthiness, honesty, and loyalty in relationships and commitments
Following ethical principles means consistently applying these standards in personal, professional, and social contexts, making decisions that respect others’ rights, promote good outcomes, and ensure fairness and trustworthiness. It requires ongoing reflection and commitment to doing what is morally right beyond mere compliance with laws or social norms
. In summary, to follow ethical principles is to guide one’s actions by respect, kindness, fairness, and honesty, ensuring that decisions benefit others and uphold their dignity and rights
