Psychology and Ethics: the double face of Janus

Abstract

This article attempts to explore the relation between psychology and ethics, by
studying the epistemo-logical status of psychology. Emphasis is placed on examining
the views of positivism, humanism and social constructionism, as regards the
relation between psychology and ethics. According to the positivist approach, psychology
is an objective, experimental science that should be free of any moral values
and of any attempts to determine what is morally right. Proponents of the humanistic
orientation have been critical of the "value neutrality" view of psychology
and attempted to highlight the moral dimensions of psychological knowledge. Social
constructionists have critiqued individual humanism and proposed a relational
humanism that would make the relationship networks encompassing individuals
explicit.
In conclusion, we established that in examining the relation between psychology
and ethics some epistemological contradictions occur, which should be more
thoroughly researched.