Uetisk

Uetisk is a term used to describe conduct, actions, or policies that violate commonly accepted ethical norms. It denotes behavior that falls outside what societies or professional communities regard as morally permissible. The term can apply to individuals as well as organizations. Uetisk actions are not necessarily illegal; they may be illegal or merely unethical under professional codes or social standards.

Etymology and usage: The word is formed from etikk (ethics) with the prefix un- (u-), common in Norwegian. It is used across fields such as research, business, journalism, medicine, and public administration to label problematic conduct. What counts as uetisk can vary by culture, context, and over time.

Assessment frameworks: Evaluation typically relies on ethical theories (deontology, consequentialism, virtue ethics) and on professional codes of ethics, institutional policies, and legal norms. Key considerations include consent, transparency, fairness, accountability, minimization of harm, and respect for autonomy and rights.

Examples: In research, fabrication of data or failure to obtain informed consent is considered uetisk. In business, exploitation of workers or fraud is often labeled uetisk. In journalism, deception, plagiarism, or manipulation of information can be described as uetisk. Privacy violations and conflicts of interest in healthcare also fall under the term.

Challenges: Ethically ambiguous situations, cultural differences, and tensions between competing duties can make borderline cases. Enforcement depends on codes, oversight bodies, sanctions, and the willingness of institutions to address misconduct. Education and ongoing ethics review are commonly used remedies.

See also: Ethics, Moral philosophy, Professional ethics, Code of conduct, Research ethics, Health care ethics.