The original document in Spanish is a lecture given by professor Regal at the "VI Congreso Nacional de Filosofía" (6th National Congress of Philosophy) in Iquitos, Perú. October 1-4, 1996.
Professor Regal's document is divided into three parts. In the first part he explains why he considers it important to study the codes of ethics of the different Peruvian schools. He argues that although the word "ethics" seems to be important nowadays, its real significance is not very clear. According to Regal, the word "ethics" is in the speech of every politician or businessman, but there is no ethics in the everyday practice of professionals; he adds that professionals do not even know the codes of ethics they were supposed to be familiar with when they obtained their degrees and that those codes are mentioned in graduation ceremonies only as part of the social event. The second part of the lecture includes the text and analysis of the Hippocratic Oath, whose real value, points out Regal, lies in the sections that deal with the significance of fraternity among professionals. In the third and final part of his document Regal affirms that the codes of ethics of the Peruvian schools do not have a "specific-technical moral content" or elements that make the professional feel an obligation towards his/her colleagues. To make his point the author quotes significant sections of some of the codes he discusses, emphasizing how obvious the rules they give are, and how they should be regarded not only by a lawyer or a doctor but by any conscious human being. He also shows some exceptions and discusses a few articles that, according to him, make sense, are logical and show a high level of fraternity among professionals of the same specialty.
The lecture is complemented with footnotes and the transcription of the codes of ethics of lawyers, administrators, architects, accountants, economists, engineers, chemists, doctors, notaries, nutritionists, dentists, journalists and psychologists.
Abstract: Francy Acosta. See the original document: Los Códigos de Etica de los Colegios Profesionales Peruanos