Museum Ethics: Theory and Practice

A number of developments in the museum movement during the last few years have forced museums to give greater attention to ethical issues. Members of the profession are increasingly regarded as constituting an ethical community and every person within such a community must have a sense of personal obligation as well as a responsibility for others to assure ethical achievement. Museum Ethics firmly places notions of ethics in the field of action. It considers the theoretical and practical elements of the philosophy of conduct in relation to both critical contemporary issues and museums. This discussion encompasses the procurement of artifacts, the rights of indigenous peoples, repatriation, the politics of display, the conservation of objects and the role of education, as well as the day-to-day management of a museum. All persons active in museum matters--whether custodian, curator, or trustee--have an ethical obligation to the museum profession and the public. This volume willallow the professional and student alike to work towards a more responsible and responsive museum community.

Gary Edson is Director of the renowned museum training program at Texas Tech University and a course lecturer, as well as Executive Director of the large university museum.