A Multicultural Perspective on Principle and Virtue Ethics

Abstract

The author proposes an alternative perspective on deriving ethical guidelines for psychologists. This proposal presents the position that in a pluralistic society, we cannot continue to derive moral imperatives from a Western civilization perspective. We need to develop strategies to arrive at a set of virtues or principles to guide our profession that address the diversity in the United States. Further; we need to take a similar approach in proposing ethical guidelines for an international, cross-cultural context. The article presents a paradigm shift in thinking among psychologists on how to function effectively in a pluralistic society and in a global economy.