ABSTRACT
Any practice or human action inevitably involves values, even if they are not explicitly mentioned. Therefore, any practice or action of human factors and ergonomics (HFE) toward sustainability needs to clarify the values in which the discipline traditionally has been based and the values that ultimately should be embraced by HFE if this discipline wants to contribute to sustainability. Objectivism, empiricism, anthropocentrism, performance-oriented social-liberal capitalism (i.e., productivity, efficiency, and profitability), human well-being (i.e., physical and psychological health, human safety, etc.), and more recently hedonomics underpin most current HFE activities, while respect for human rights, respect for the Earth, appreciation of complexity, respect for diversity, respect for transparency and openness, and respect for ethical decision making are values that can support actions toward sustainability. This chapter deals explicitly with both groups of values (i.e., mainstream and emergent values), sketching opportunities for a new ethical stance for HFE community. The chapter concludes with a short discussion on the need for provisionality in understanding HFE systems, the possibility of modifications to the HFE definition, and the need to include ethics in educational programs.
