The moral philosophies and normative ethical guidelines of a profession influence its practice and research. More than simply assigning merit or worth to outcomes or processes, ethics is the milieu in which professionals establish integrity and develop solidarity through normative ethical worldviews. Thus, in increasingly complex contexts, adult educators need to develop a shared ethic that enhances the sustainability of individuals, organizations and communities. Professions have had little trouble establishing a wide diversity of skills and competencies and using them to attract members. Here the authors assert that a profession that wishes to attract people with deeply held moral values should develop and espouse highly moral ethical norms. Further, they recommend that an aspirational code be considered over a disciplinary or punitive code for guiding their profession's ethical growth.