External values and support for ethical decision-making in conservation

Abstract

Heritage conservation is often seen as a predominantly technical enterprise, with decisions primarily made on the basis of facts rather than values. Significance and other object-centric values are recognised as having some impact, but such values are tied closely to the artefacts themselves. In this article we emphasise that this cannot be the whole story and argue that values from various domains outside the artefact–conservator relationship are also pertinent in the conservator’s decision-making. These may be societal, ethical, aesthetic, utilitarian, environmental, or some other subset of norms entirely. As such, we suggest that the profession must recognise the active, evaluative judgements that are being made by the conservator and ultimately it should offer support mechanisms that can help the conservator make better decisions. We end by highlighting some pathways that institutions may follow in order to ensure good decision-making when evaluative factors come into play, whether external or otherwise.