Online Workshop: Philosophy and Conservation Codes of Ethics, Session 1

Course Leaders: Dr. Bill Wei and Lisa Giombini

Codes of ethics play a critical role in the conservation and restoration of works of art and objects of cultural heritage. As with codes of ethics in other professional fields such as medicine, journalism or civil engineering, these conservation and restoration codes have been developed by the profession itself to show their clients and other stakeholders that they conduct themselves and their work in what could be generally termed a highly professional manner.

These codes of ethics as well as others written primarily by Western conservation associations make use of terms such ‘appropriate’, ‘authenticity, ‘highest possible standards’, ‘integrity, ‘respect’ and ‘value’, just to name a few. These terms are not well-defined in the codes and can be considered to be vague. However, modern interpretations of codes of ethics have become quite strict, and are being coupled with movements to professionalize the field through the development of certification standards. There is therefore increasing heated discussion and debate about the interpretation and role of codes of ethics in conservation and restoration, and taking that a step further, what makes a highly professional conservator. 

It is at times like these when it is useful to step back and look at what it is that one is debating. Many of the aforementioned terms and others in conservation codes of ethics are actually subjects of study and debate in philosophy. It goes without saying that ‘ethics’ itself is one of the main pillars upon which the entire world of philosophy rests. But why do we call our standards for professional behavior in conservation a code of ‘ethics’? What does it mean to be ethical in the conservation and restoration of objects of cultural heritage?

AIC is thus organizing a workshop on philosophy and conservation codes of ethics. It will consist of an introductory lecture on what the different meanings of those terms have in philosophical debates, both in a theoretical and in an applied sense. This will then be followed by a so-called Socratic dialogue for all participants to investigate what that concept means in conservation practice. We will look at five important terms used in codes of ethics from organizations such as the American Institute for Conservation (AIC), the European Confederation of Conservator-Restorers’ Organization (ECCO) or The Institute of Conservation (ICON) including ethics, respect, integrity, and highest possible standards. This will be the first in the series meant for members with at least a few years of work experience.

Audience and Registration

Registration is open to AIC members with at least a few years of work experience in the conservation field, be it active conservation or related fields such as preventive conservation or conservation science. Registration for this workshop is free, but limited to 48 people. All of the workshops will be conducted on-line using a platform known as Moodle.

If you are a student or emerging professional, please consider registering for Philosophy and Conservation Codes of Ethics for Emerging Professionals, Session 1

About this Workshop Series

This is the first in a series of five workshops over a two-year period where we, AIC members, can consider a number of important conservation and conservation ethic concepts with which we work. Depending on the format of the Socratic dialogue, each workshop will last between three and a half and four hours.