What are the four codes of ethics?

Asked by: Prof. Ruby Altenwerth IV  |  Last update: April 26, 2026
Score: 5/5 (9 votes)

There isn't one universal set of "four codes of ethics," but the most common framework, especially in healthcare, refers to Autonomy, Beneficence, Justice, and Non-maleficence (ABJNJ), focusing on patient rights, doing good, fairness, and avoiding harm. Other professions define their core principles differently, such as the American Counseling Association's focus on human dignity, justice, and competence, or the International Council of Nurses' framework covering nurses' roles with patients, practice, the profession, and global health.

What are the 4 codes of ethics?

The Fundamental Principles of Ethics. Beneficence, nonmaleficence, autonomy, and justice constitute the 4 principles of ethics.

What are the 4 principles of ethics?

The four core ethical principles, especially prominent in healthcare, are Autonomy (respecting self-determination), Beneficence (doing good), Non-maleficence (doing no harm), and Justice (fairness and equity). Developed by Beauchamp and Childress, this framework helps guide ethical decision-making by balancing individual rights, promoting well-being, preventing harm, and ensuring fair treatment for everyone.
 

What are the 4 types of ethics?

Four broad categories of ethical theory include deontology, utilitarianism, rights, and virtues. The deontological class of ethical theories states that people should adhere to their obliga- tions and duties when engaged in decision making when ethics are in play.

What are the 4 codes of ethics in nursing?

The four core ethical principles in nursing, derived from biomedical ethics, are Autonomy (respecting patient's right to choose), Beneficence (acting in the patient's best interest to do good), Non-maleficence (doing no harm), and Justice (fair and impartial treatment for all). These principles guide nurses in complex decision-making, ensuring patient well-being and rights are central to care, even when principles conflict. 

The Four Codes of Ethics

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What are the 4 codes of nursing?

It's structured around four themes – prioritise people, practise effectively, preserve safety and promote professionalism and trust. Each section contains a series of statements that taken together signify what good nursing and midwifery practice looks like.

What are the 4 ethical principles of nursing?

The four core ethical principles in nursing, derived from biomedical ethics, are Autonomy (respecting patient's right to choose), Beneficence (acting in the patient's best interest to do good), Non-maleficence (doing no harm), and Justice (fair and impartial treatment for all). These principles guide nurses in complex decision-making, ensuring patient well-being and rights are central to care, even when principles conflict. 

What are the 4 elements of ethics?

The four main elements (or principles) of ethics, especially in healthcare, are Autonomy (respecting self-governance), Beneficence (doing good), Nonmaleficence (doing no harm), and Justice (fairness and equitable distribution). This "four-principle approach" provides a practical framework for analyzing ethical dilemmas by balancing these fundamental moral obligations, stemming from historical ideas like "first, do no harm".
 

What is 4ps in ethics?

ETHICA-4P: an Ethics Toolkit for Harnessing Integrity in Complex Arenas (ETHICA) through the consideration of Place, People, Principles and Practice (4P's). This site provides an ethics toolkit for researchers, practitioners and others who conduct or support research in complex, low income or fragile settings.

What are the four main branches of ethics?

There are four major dimensions of ethics:

  • Normative or Prescriptive Ethics.
  • Descriptive Ethics.
  • Meta-ethics.
  • Applied Ethics.

What is the golden rule of ethics?

Golden Rule ethics, centered on "treat others as you would want to be treated," is a foundational principle in many world religions and secular philosophies, emphasizing empathy, reciprocity, and treating others with the same consideration you'd want for yourself, though it faces criticism for potentially imposing one's own values or overlooking cultural differences, leading to considerations like the "Platinum Rule" (treat others as they want to be treated).
 

What are the 4 pillars of accountability in nursing?

Ethical Knowing

According to Caulfield (2005) there are four pillars of accountability: professional, ethical, legal and employment. In reaching a decision regarding Hazel, Sarah would need to consider her accountability.

What are the 4 principles of the BPS code of ethics?

The code focuses on four primary ethical principles: respect, competence, responsibility and integrity. Each of these principles is described by a statement of key values and accompanied by a set of standards which lay out the precise forms of ethical conduct and behaviour which the BPS expects of its members.

What are the types of codes of ethics?

The two types of code of ethics are compliance-based (specifically meant to protect companies from legal repercussions) and integrity-based (overarching rules that give employees flexibility to perform within the company's core values and their own moral code).

What is the 4As code of ethics?

The 4As Code of Conduct stems from the belief that sound, ethical and transparent business practices act as an assurance to clients, and the brands they represent, that 4As member agencies can be trusted and valued partners.

What is the A 4 B code of ethics?

A.4.b.

Counselors respect the diversity of clients, train- ees, and research participants and seek training in areas in which they are at risk of imposing their values onto clients, especially when the counselor's values are inconsistent with the client's goals or are discrimina- tory in nature.

What does the 4 Ps stand for?

The 4 Ps of marketing (Product, Price, Place, Promotion) form a foundational framework for developing a cohesive marketing strategy by defining what you sell, how much it costs, where it's available, and how you tell people about it, ensuring all elements align to meet customer needs and business goals. 

What are the four ethical theories?

The four major ethical theories providing frameworks for moral decisions are Utilitarianism (greatest good for the most people), Deontology (duty and rules), Virtue Ethics (character and habits), and often Justice/Fairness or Ethics of Care (relationships), focusing on outcomes, obligations, personal character, and societal equity or relational needs, respectively, offering different lenses for judging right and wrong actions. 

What are the 4 Ps of inclusion?

The "4 pillars of inclusion" vary by context, but commonly refer to key principles like Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging (DEIB), or frameworks in education and leadership focusing on being Present, Participating, Achieving, Supported (in learning) or Safe, Welcome, Celebrated, Cherished (in workplaces). Generally, these pillars aim to ensure everyone feels valued, respected, has equal opportunity, and can contribute fully, covering aspects from psychological safety to structural fairness. 

What are the 4 basic ethics?

The four core ethical principles, especially prominent in healthcare, are Autonomy (respecting self-determination), Beneficence (doing good), Non-maleficence (doing no harm), and Justice (fairness and equity). Developed by Beauchamp and Childress, this framework helps guide ethical decision-making by balancing individual rights, promoting well-being, preventing harm, and ensuring fair treatment for everyone.
 

What is the provision 4 of the code of ethics?

Provision 4.

The nurse has authority, accountability, and responsibility for nursing practice; makes decisions; and takes action consistent with the obligation to provide optimal patient care. As a nurse, it's inherent that accountability for all aspects of care aligns with responsible decision making.

What are the 4 dimensions of ethics?

Explore the four key Dimensions of Ethics—descriptive, meta, normative, and applied ethics. Understand their roles, examples, and how ethical theories like utilitarianism, deontology, and virtue ethics guide moral decision-making in real life.

What are the main branches of ethics?

Its main branches include normative ethics, applied ethics, and metaethics.

What are the 4 principles of situation ethics?

These then are his “four working principles”: pragmatism, relativism, positivism and personalism.

What are the 4 pillars of nursing?

The order of the pillars and terms for each vary, but all have the essence of Clinical Practice, Education, Research and Leadership.