Item 14 in Truth By Reason Master Ethical Code

Work Honestly and Contribute Usefully

Seek livelihoods that do not depend on deception, exploitation, cruelty or avoidable destruction.

Position
14
Form
Mixed formulation
Obligation
Context-dependent
Wording status
Translation
Intended audience
Everyone
Last reviewed
28 June 2026

Names and terminology

Canonical name: Work Honestly and Contribute Usefully

Source wording

<p>Seek livelihoods that do not depend on deception, exploitation, cruelty or avoidable destruction.</p>

Translation

Literal meaning

Seek livelihoods that do not depend on deception, exploitation, cruelty or avoidable destruction.

Broader interpretation

No profession, institution or order removes personal responsibility for foreseeable harm.

Practical meaning

Seek livelihoods that do not depend on deception, exploitation, cruelty or avoidable destruction.

Ethical purpose

No profession, institution or order removes personal responsibility for foreseeable harm.

Modern application

Apply this principle to personal conduct, organisations and public policy, with particular attention to people and beings who carry the greatest risks while holding the least power.

Criticism and difficult cases

This principle may conflict with other duties. It should therefore be applied with evidence, proportionality, role reversal, attention to power and review of foreseeable consequences.

Truth By Reason analysis

No profession, institution or order removes personal responsibility for foreseeable harm.

Sources