Psychology and Ethics in the Perspective Philosophy of Science
Downloads
Abstract: The relationship between psychology and ethics is a fundamental issue within the philosophy of science, particularly in understanding how scientific knowledge is produced, justified, and applied in research and professional practice. This study aims to examine the conceptual and normative connections between psychology and ethics through a literature review and theoretical analysis. The method employed is a systematic review of relevant scholarly literature focusing on psychological research ethics, moral psychology, virtue ethics, and ethical dilemmas in professional psychological practice. The findings indicate that psychology and ethics are mutually reinforcing disciplines: psychology contributes empirical insights into moral cognition, emotions, and moral identity, while ethics provides normative frameworks that guide responsible scientific inquiry and professional conduct. The discussion highlights that ethical practice in psychology extends beyond procedural compliance, emphasizing relational ethics, moral reflection, and experiential learning through ethical dilemmas. Experience in professional practice is shown to influence ethical judgment, underscoring the importance of continuous ethics education. In conclusion, integrating psychology and ethics within the philosophy of science is essential for ensuring scientific integrity, social responsibility, and the development of humane and ethically grounded psychological knowledge.
REFERENCES
Abadi, T. W. (2016). Aksiologi: antara etika, moral, dan estetika. Kanal: Jurnal Ilmu
Komunikasi, 4(2), 187–204. https://doi.org/10.21070/kanal.v4i2.1452
Adjovi, I. S. M. (2025). A worldwide itinerary of research ethics in science for a better social
responsibility and justice: a bibliometric analysis and review. Frontiers in Research Metrics
and Analytics, 10, 1504937. https://doi.org/10.3389/frma.2025.1504937
Ahmad, M. N. (2025). Narrative literature reviews in scientific research: pros and cons. Jordan
Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 21(1).
Akrivou, K., & Scalzo, G. (2020). In search of a fitting moral psychology for practical wisdom:
Exploring a missing link in virtuous management. Business Ethics a European Review,
29(S1), 33–44. https://doi.org/10.1111/beer.12295
Anam, A. M., Acikgenc, A., MR, M. I. F., & Alwiyah, N. (2026). The dialectics of metacognition
and spirituality: integrating self-regulated learning within the Islamic intellectual tradition. Dialogium: Journal of Islamic Studies, 1(1), 13–26. https://doi.org/10.21831/djis.v1i1.95873
Araújo, L. S., Cruz, J. F. A., & Almeida, L. S. (2017). Achieving scientific excellence: An
exploratory study of the role of emotional and motivational factors. High Ability Studies, 28(2),
249–264. https://doi.org/10.1080/13598139.2016.1264293
Azzahra, K. F., Adelya, L., Putri, M. A. V., Ridho, M., Kurniawan, N. Y. Z., & Ediyono, S. (2023). Berteman dengan klien: apakah melanggar kode etik psikologi?
Banyard, P., & Flanagan, C. (2025). Ethical issues in Psychology.
https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003485162
Bowie, N. E. (2009). How empirical research in human cognition does and does not affect
philosophical ethics. Journal of Business Ethics, 88(S4), 635–643. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-009-0309-4
Brzeziński, J. M. (2020). Basic problems of scientific research in psychology. Health Psychology
Report, 8(4), 373–384. https://doi.org/10.5114/hpr.2020.97429
Capaldi, E. J., & Proctor, R. W. (2012). Psychology of science: influence on the philosophy of science. In Oxford University Press eBooks (pp. 40–56). https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199753628.003.0002
Chenneville, T., & Gardy, S. (2022). Ethics in mental health research. In Elsevier eBooks (pp. 813–820). https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-323-91497-0.00169-7
Chesnokova, M. G. (2017). Philosophy of psychology: from S. Kierkegaard to C. Rogers. Voprosy
Psikhologii, (5), 52-+.
Clemente, M., Espinosa, P., & Urra, J. (2011). Ethical issues in psychologists’ professional practice: Agreement over problematic professional behaviors among Spanish psychologists. Ethics & Behavior, 21(1), 13–34.
https://doi.org/10.1080/10508422.2011.537568
Deb, D., Dey, R., & Balas, V. E. (2019). Literature review and technical reading. In Intelligent
systems reference library (pp. 9–21). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-2947-0_2
Del Giglio, A., & Da Costa, M. U. P. (2026). Utilizing artificial Intelligence to create narrative
literature reviews. Einstein (São Paulo), 24, eRW1165. https://doi.org/10.31744/einstein_journal/2026rw1165
Denadia, F., & Ediyono, S.(2022). Hubungan etika dan ilmu psikologi berdasarkan perspektif
filsafat.
El Hafiz, S., & Himawan, K. K. (2021). The challenges of conducting literature review studies in Indonesia: fundamental issues and solutions. Jurnal Psikologi Ulayat, 8(1), 6–17. https://doi.org/10.24854/jpu125
Fahrudin, A., & Fitriyana, R. (2025). Research ethics in psychology. In Ethics in Social Science
Research: Current Insights and Practical Strategies (pp. 55–65). Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore.
Fairweather, A. (2014). Bridges between virtue epistemology and philosophy of science. In
Synthese Library/Synthese library (pp. 1–9). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-04672-3_1
Farrukh, A., & Sajjad, A. (2023). A critical review of literature review methodologies. Review of
Management Literature, 103–123. https://doi.org/10.1108/s2754-586520230000002006
Ferrari, R. (2015). Writing narrative-style literature reviews. Medical Writing, 24(4), 230–235.
https://doi.org/10.1179/2047480615Z.000000000329
Green, B. N., Johnson, C. D., & Adams, A. (2006). Writing narrative literature reviews for peer-
reviewed journals: secrets of the trade. Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, 5(3), 101–117. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0899-3467(07)60142-6
Han, H. (2014). Analysing theoretical frameworks of moral education through Lakatos’s
philosophy of science. Journal of Moral Education, 43(1), 32–53. https://doi.org/10.1080/03057240.2014.893422
Himawan, K. K. (2021). The question of ethical review for psychological research in indonesia:
need and importance [menyoal uji etik dalam penelitian psikologi di indonesia: seberapa perlu dan pentingkah?]. ANIMA Indonesian Psychological Journal, 36(2), 326-340. https://doi.org/10.24123/aipj.v36i2.4059
Hopner, V., & Liu, J. H. (2021). Relational ethics and epistemology: The case for
complementary first principles in psychology. Theory & Psychology, 31(2), 179–198. https://doi.org/10.1177/0959354320974103
Hu, E. J. (2025). Early confucian ethics encountering social psychology: character, situation,
and Xunzi. In Dialogues with Classical Chinese Philosophy (pp. 47-70). Routledge.
Indonesia, H. P. (2010). Kode etik psikologi Indonesia. Jakarta: HIMPSI.
Isaac, R. (2009). Ethics in the practice of clinical psychology. Indian Journal of Medical Ethics, 6(2),
69–74. https://doi.org/10.20529/ijme.2009.024
Jeong, C., & Han, H. (2013). Exploring the relationship between virtue ethics and moral
identity. Ethics & Behavior, 23(1), 44–56. https://doi.org/10.1080/10508422.2012.714245
Kahane, G. (2013). The armchair and the trolley: an argument for experimental ethics.
Philosophical Studies, 162(2), 421–445. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11098-011-9775-5
Kargopoulos, P., V. (2023). What philosophy, if any, is needed for cognitive science? DOAJ
(DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals). https://doi.org/10.4453/rifp.2023.0003
Kaulino, A., & Matus, T. (2021). Theoretical proposal for the relationship between
epistemology and ethics in psychology. Theory & Psychology, 31(2), 237–253. https://doi.org/10.1177/09593543211002267
King, P., Hodgetts, D., & Guimarães, D. S. (2021). Towards rethinking the primacy of
epistemology in psychology: Introduction to the special section. Theory & Psychology,
31(2), 153–160. https://doi.org/10.1177/09593543211003161
Kirana, Y. (2020). Psikologi dan etika profesi dalam nilai-nilai ilmu pengetahuan. Jurnal Ilmiah
Hukum Dan Keadilan, 7(1), 130-149.
Kordahl, H. L., & Fougner, M. (2017). Facilitating awareness of philosophy of science, ethics
and communication through manual skills training in undergraduate education.
Physiotherapy Theory and Practice, 33(3), 206–217. https://doi.org/10.1080/09593985.2016.1277289
Korkut, Y. (2020). Teaching and learning psychology ethics as a meaningful and enjoyable
experience. Psychology in Russia State of Art, 13(1), 33–41. https://doi.org/10.11621/pir.2020.0104
Kozlov, A. (2023). Emotions in scientific practice. Interdisciplinary Science Reviews, 48(2), 329–
348. https://doi.org/10.1080/03080188.2023.2193073
Laletas, S. (2019). Ethical decision making for professional school counsellors: use of practice-
based models in secondary school settings. British Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 47(3), 283–291. https://doi.org/10.1080/03069885.2018.1474341
Levitt, D. H., & Lishner, D. G. (2016). The ethics of counseling and values: a phenomenological
investigation. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 63(3), 267–278.
Lucidi, F. (2021). L’etica della ricerca tra scienza, conoscenza, coscienza. Psicologia clinica dello
sviluppo, 25(2), 303–305. DOI: 10.1449/101511
Magdha, E. E., & Ediyono, S. (2023). Peran Filsafat dalam Psikologi.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/366848338_Peran_Filsafat_dalam_Psikologi.
Mathew, J. L. (2022). Systematic reviews and meta-analysis: a guide for beginners. Indian
Pediatrics, 59(4), 320–330. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13312-022-2500-y
Marjo, H. K., & Sodiq, D. (2022). Etika dan kompetensi konselor sebagai profesional (suatu
pendekatan literatur sistematis). Jurnal Paedagogy, 9(1), 86–93. https://doi.org/10.33394/jp.v9i1.4512
Mcdonald‐sardi, J., Mathews, R., Reece, J., & Pratt, C. (2020). The effect of experience in
psychological practice on making ethical judgements. Australian Psychologist, 55(6), 634– 644. https://doi.org/10.1111/ap.12463
Muhiddin, S. (2014). filsafat ilmu psikologi: kaitannya dengan metode penelitian dan
penerapan kode etik psikologi. https://www.academia.edu/download/57283235/Filsafat_Ilmu_Psikologi.pdf
Ningsih, W. (2021). Etika psikolog dalam pengumpulan dan penyampaian hasil pemeriksaan
psikologis (tinjauan aksiologi). Jurnal Filsafat Indonesia, 4(1), 53-58. https://doi.org/10.23887/jfi.v4i1.31344
Oppong, V. B., Osafo, J., & Ofori-Atta, A. (2022). Ethical dilemmas in psychological services
in Ghana: the views of clinical psychologists. Ethics & Behavior, 32(3), 273-284. https://doi.org/10.1080/10508422.2021.1895795
Pedhu, Y. (2020). Isu-isu etika penggunaan tes psikologi dalam bimbingan konseling.
In Seminar Nasional Daring IIBKIN 2020 (pp. 85-97). https://conference.um.ac.id/index.php/bk3/article/view/312/282
Pettifor, J. L., Sinclair, C., & Strong, T. (2005). The role of dialogue in defining ethical
principles: the canadian code of ethics for psychologists. Journal of Constructivist Psychology, 18(2), 183–197. https://doi.org/10.1080/10720530590914833
Phillips, V., & Barker, E. (2021). Systematic reviews: structure, form and content. Journal of
Perioperative Practice, 31(9), 349–353. https://doi.org/10.1177/1750458921994693
Pittman, E. (2023). Realist synthesis: an innovative approach to literature review for complex
management phenomena. In Review of management literature (pp. 137–159). https://doi.org/10.1108/s2754-586520230000002008
Pivato, E. (2008). Personality structure and moral development: exploring the interface. The
International Journal of Interdisciplinary Social Sciences Annual Review, 3(9), 195–200. https://doi.org/10.18848/1833-1882/cgp/v03i09/52708
Prokofyev, A. V. (2021). Ethics and psychology (the case of shame studies). Philosophy Journal,
5–21. https://doi.org/10.21146/2072-0726-2021-14-4-5-21
Rösler, F. (2019). Ethikvoten in der psychologischen Forschung. Bundesgesundheitsblatt -
Gesundheitsforschung - Gesundheitsschutz, 62(6), 729–737. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00103-
019-02949-3
S, V. P., Chakraborty, A., & Kar, A. K. (2024). How to undertake an impactful literature
review: Understanding review approaches and guidelines for high-impact systematic
literature reviews. South Asian Journal of Business and Management Cases, 13(1), 18–35.
https://doi.org/10.1177/22779779241227654
Sahni, S., & Sinha, C. (2016). Systematic literature review on narratives in organizations:
research issues and avenues for future research. Vision the Journal of Business Perspective,
20(4), 368–379. https://doi.org/10.1177/0972262916678085
Sánchez-Chero, M., Sifuentes, F. A. P., Santisteba, L. J. C., & Valverde, K. S. G. (2023). Ethics,
science and research: the role of the researcher in the current context. Encuentros. Revista
de Ciencias Humanas, Teoría Social y Pensamiento Crítico., (19 (septiembre-diciembre)), 126-
134. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8270801
Savulescu, J. (2025). The point of moral philosophy: to direct how we should live and act.
In What Is the Point of Moral Philosophy? (pp. 153-174). Routledge.
Savulescu, J., & Giannopoulou, P. (2025). To be human is to be better: a discussion with Julian
Savulescu. Conatus: Journal of Philosophy, 10(1). 10.12681/cjp.39904
Schwartz, B. (2022). Practical wisdom: what philosophy and literature can add to Psychology.
In Oxford University Press eBooks (pp. 406–416). https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190064570.013.27
Sihono, H.M., Rahmawan, W.A., Rismanto, L.D., Sariningtyas, E.R.W., & Sugiarti, R. (2024).
A systematic literature review: hubungan antara etika dengan psikologi dan etika
dengan filsafat dalam praktek profesional. SOSFILKOM : Jurnal Sosial, Filsafat Dan
Komunikasi, 17(2), 56-65. https://doi.org/10.32534/jsfk.v17i2.5233
Singh, S. (2017). How to conduct and interpret systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Clinical
and Translational Gastroenterology, 8(5), e93. https://doi.org/10.1038/ctg.2017.20
Tabares, A. S. G., Ospina, J. F., & Henao, A. F. M. (2019). Hacia una explicación naturalizada
del problema filosófico de las otras mentes. Revista Guillermo De Ockham, 17(2), 61–70.
https://doi.org/10.21500/22563202.4269
Theile, C. M., & Beall, A. L. (2024). Narrative reviews of the literature: an overview. Journal of
Dental Hygiene, 98(1).
Torcello, L. (2016). The ethics of belief, cognition, and climate change pseudoskepticism:
implications for public discourse. Topics in Cognitive Science, 8(1), 19–48.
https://doi.org/10.1111/tops.12179
Turk, N. (2021). Methodology of systematic reviews. Slovenian Medical Journal, 90(7–8), 432–
442. https://doi.org/10.6016/zdravvestn.3138
Van Niekerk, A. (2025). Science and ethics: perspectives on value and moral considerations in
contemporary practice of science. Tydskrif Vir Geesteswetenskappe, 65(3), 841–851.
https://doi.org/10.17159/2224-7912/2025/v65n3a5
Van Slyke, J., Peterson, G. R., Spezio, M., Reimer, K., & Brown, W. (2012). Theology and the science
of moral action. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203101742
Wahman, J. (2011). Experimenting with ethics in the twenty-first century. The Journal of
Speculative Philosophy, 25(1), 33–47. https://doi.org/10.5325/jspecphil.25.1.0033
Walsh, R. T. G. (2015). Introduction to ethics in psychology: historical and philosophical
grounding. Journal of Theoretical and Philosophical Psychology, 35(2), 69–77.
https://doi.org/10.1037/teo0000015
Widapratama, F. R., & Raharjo, S. T. (2017). Pentingnya memahami peran dan fungsi serta
kode etik supervisi pekerja sosial dalam profesi pekerja sosial di Indonesia. Jurnal
Penelitian & PKM, 4(2), 129-389.
Wilton, R., & Harley, T. (2017). Science and Psychology. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315529295
Wilujeng, S. R. (2013). Filsafat, etika dan ilmu: upaya memahami hakikat ilmu dalam konteks
keindonesiaan. Humanika, 17(1). https://doi.org/10.14710/humanika.17.1.
Young, G. (2016). A broad ethics model for mental health practice. Ethics Medicine and Public
Health, 2(2), 220–237. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jemep.2016.03.005
Zachorodna, K. (2021). The importance of empirical research in ethics: moral psychology and
philosophical ethics. Ruch Filozoficzny, 77(1), 151. https://doi.org/10.12775/rf.2021.008
Copyright (c) 2026 Arina Nur Hikmah, Sálua Omais
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms: Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
Focus & Scope
Publication Ethics
Publication Fee
Editorial Team
Reviewers
Peer-Review Process
Visitor Counter
