Code of Ethics and Security Case Study
Code of Ethics and Security Case Study
December 20, 2010
Abstract
As we examine the case of “Cop Gets 15 Years in Torture Case”, we evaluate from four different perspectives the different ethical theories; ethical relativism, ethical egoism, deontological ethics and ontological ethics to determine how the different perspectives support or condemn the conduct in this case study. The case involves the brutal sodomizing of a black male Haitian immigrant, Abner Louima by two white New York police officers in 1997 (Hays, 2000). Upon review of each perspective, we will recommend which ethical theory resolves the issue in a manner that supports the actions of the officers.
Code of Ethics and Security Case Study This case study involves a brutal attack on a Haitian immigrant, Abner Louima, who was in the custody of the New York City police department. One officer received a 30 year prison sentence for his participation in the attack and another officer received a 15 year sentence for holding down Louima while he was being sodomized with a broken broom stick. The ethical issues in this case are significant and as we describe the four ethical theories, we will determine how the different perspectives support or condemn the conduct in the case.
Ethical Relativism
The philosophical and ethical theory of ethical relativism maintains the belief that certain behaviors do not necessarily reflect absolute or universal truths in regard to ethical and moral attitudes. Ethical relativism is “the tendency to make ethical (right/wrong) choices only on the basis of what looks right or reasonable according to one’s own belief or value system” (Business Dictionary, n.d., para. 1). Ethical relativists believe moral values and beliefs emerge from societal influences, personal beliefs and social norms within a person’s culture. This theory also argues that there is not one judgment of right and wrong and not one single standard that defines moral and ethical
December 20, 2010
Abstract
As we examine the case of “Cop Gets 15 Years in Torture Case”, we evaluate from four different perspectives the different ethical theories; ethical relativism, ethical egoism, deontological ethics and ontological ethics to determine how the different perspectives support or condemn the conduct in this case study. The case involves the brutal sodomizing of a black male Haitian immigrant, Abner Louima by two white New York police officers in 1997 (Hays, 2000). Upon review of each perspective, we will recommend which ethical theory resolves the issue in a manner that supports the actions of the officers.
Code of Ethics and Security Case Study This case study involves a brutal attack on a Haitian immigrant, Abner Louima, who was in the custody of the New York City police department. One officer received a 30 year prison sentence for his participation in the attack and another officer received a 15 year sentence for holding down Louima while he was being sodomized with a broken broom stick. The ethical issues in this case are significant and as we describe the four ethical theories, we will determine how the different perspectives support or condemn the conduct in the case.
Ethical Relativism
The philosophical and ethical theory of ethical relativism maintains the belief that certain behaviors do not necessarily reflect absolute or universal truths in regard to ethical and moral attitudes. Ethical relativism is “the tendency to make ethical (right/wrong) choices only on the basis of what looks right or reasonable according to one’s own belief or value system” (Business Dictionary, n.d., para. 1). Ethical relativists believe moral values and beliefs emerge from societal influences, personal beliefs and social norms within a person’s culture. This theory also argues that there is not one judgment of right and wrong and not one single standard that defines moral and ethical
References: Banks, C. (2009). Criminal Justice Ethics: Theory and Practice (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc. Business Dictionary. (n.d.). Ethical relativism. Retrieved December 17, 2010, from http://businessdictionary.com/definition/ethical-relativism.html Hays, Tom, (June 27, 2000), Cop Gets 15 Years in Torture Case, Associated Press, Retrieved December 17, 2010, from http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-29623669.html Lander University. (2009). Ethics. Retrieved December 17, 2010, from http://philosophy.lander.edu/ethics/ethical_ego.html Shaver, R. (2010). Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Stanford University. Retrieved December 17, 2010, from http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/egoism/ Souryal, S. S. (2007). Ethics in Criminal Justice: In Search of the Truth. Retrieved from https://ecampus.phoenix.edu/classroom/ic/classroom.aspx. WordIQ. (2010). Ethical relativism - definition. Retrieved December 17, 2010, from http://wordiq.com/definition/Ethical_relativism