ALTERNATIVE LIST OF FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES
The start of each section of the Code begins with the statement of a fundamental
principle. For example, the first section begins with the fundamental principle, “Software
engineers shall act consistently with the public interest”. All of these statements of fundamental
principles are expressed from the point of view of what software engineers ought to do.
Another way to devise a list of fundamental principles is to consider those virtues we
would like to instill among all the members of any profession. We end up with a set of general,
discipline-independent rules that cut across the eight categories of the Code (SECEPP). Here is
an alternative list of fundamental principles derived using that approach:
1. Be impartial
The good of the general public is equally important to the good of your organization or
