The Role of Scientific Virtues in Understanding and Teaching Research Ethics

There is an increasing interest amongst scientific societies, journals, educators, and government agencies in promoting the Responsible Conduct of Research. But what exactly are the underlying values that guide the work of good scientists and how can we teach them? Sociologists and ethical theorists have proposed a wide variety of accounts. Pennock’s Scientific Virtue Project offers a promising new approach that emphasizes virtuous character traits instead of abstract philosophical principles.