They fill us with a warm glow. How can social work declare itself as being underpinned by utilitarianism, when our clients are nearly always the marginal or oppressed. To be avowedly utilitarian would be to be a proud agent of social control. There is one problem of course. If we accept that our actions are often utilitarian, then such a code of ethics would lead to much of what most social workers do as being declared unethical.
Social workers can respect individuals when they choose, or the interests of 'society'.
When there is a conflict, they may go either way. The code of ethics is of no use whatsoever as a guide to practice. There I rest my case as far as my first argument is concerned. The code of ethics is a shone document, full of contradictory moral statements. And it can't be made any better, for the simple reason that what are talked of as ethical principles are in reality political positions.