Values

Values are the principles or virtues that a particular group regard as important. They characterize what is measured as appropriate or considered to be good.

The Values of Aurora College are:

• Respect
  We care for one another and foster relationships based on trust, respect, and fairness. We respect others and the land, water, air, and animals.

• Inclusiveness and Diversity
  We foster a culture of equity and inclusion that celebrates different ways of being, knowing, and doing.

• Innovation
  We inspire and nurture innovative thinking, continuous discovery, and creative expression.

• Academic Integrity We hold ourselves to high standards of ethical behaviour and take responsibility for our actions. We recognize and protect the right of the individual to search for knowledge, wherever knowledge is to be found.

Ethics

Ethics define the appropriate behaviour and limitations for professionals. Ethics are the code of proper conduct that stems from values. All professionals have ethical principles to support their practice. Ethical guidelines are intended to protect clients from incompetence, recognize that clients are susceptible to manipulation, and ensure that professionals do not misuse their influence.

Ethical Dilemmas

An ethical dilemma occurs if a decision must be made between opposing values. To make an ethical decision, five principles must be considered and used according to their significance to resolve the dilemma.

Five principles to resolve ethical dilemmas include autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, justice, and fidelity.

• Recognize that people will make their own decisions (autonomy)
• Do what is best for others (beneficence)
• Do not inflict harm on others (nonmaleficence)
• Strive for equality (justice)
• Be honest (fidelity)

Steps to resolve ethical dilemmas:

1. Gather Facts
2. Define Ethical Issues
3. Determine and Evaluate Options and Approaches
4. Take Action

References

Shebib, B. (2020). Choices Interviewing and Counselling Skills For Canadians (7th ed.). Pearson.

Simpson, D. (2020). Facilitation of Personal Management (018-108) [PowerPoint slides]. Moodle. https://elearning.myauroracollege.ca/course/view.php?id=190