The ISC2 Code of Ethics is arranged around four canons that are listed in a deliberate order. When two of those canons appear to pull in different directions in a given situation, how are members expected to treat that ordering?
- AThe canons are listed in order of precedence, so a canon nearer the top is intended to be resolved in favour of one appearing lower in the list. Correct
- BThe canons carry equal weight, and any apparent conflict must be referred to ISC2 for a binding ruling before the member may act.
- CThe canon a member cites first in any dispute automatically governs, because the member chooses which canon applies.
- DThe last canon listed governs, on the principle that later provisions supersede earlier ones as in statutory interpretation.
Why A is correct: ISC2 states the canons are ordered by priority, so protecting society and the common good ranks ahead of duties to principals or to individuals when they genuinely conflict.
Why B is wrong: Treating the four canons as equal is a common assumption, but ISC2 explicitly presents them in priority order, and there is no requirement to seek a binding ruling before acting.
Why C is wrong: Letting the member pick the governing canon sounds flexible, yet the ordering is fixed by ISC2, not selected case by case by the individual.
Why D is wrong: The last-in-time rule is borrowed from statutory drafting and does not apply here; the first canon, not the last, carries the highest priority.