The Evolution of Western Museum Ethics and Its Implications
In the 19th century,Western museums established their foundational roles as public trusts emphasizing accountability.Since then,museum ethics have increasingly gained prominence within the mu-seum community,culminating in their inclusion in the new definition of museums announced in 2022.The evolution of museum ethics in Western context can be categorized into three stages:the initial exploration of ethical standards amid museum professionalization;the pursuit of universal ethical values grounded in insti-tutional practices;and,more recently,an emphasis on the dynamic,fluid,and diverse nature of ethical re-sponsibilities.In contrast,attention to museum ethics in China remains relatively sparse,misaligned with the contemporary mission to achieve high-quality development in museum affairs.Therefore,examining the de-velopment of museum ethics in Western contexts across different historical and social settings not only fos-ters a systematic understanding of museum ethics but also offers insights that could help shape a distinctive Chinese museum ethical framework.This approach aims to address practical challenges in museum opera-tions and help regulate the development of the museum sector.
Western museum ethicsprofessionalizationdiversitynew museum ethics