Ethics Notes Chapters 1 and 2
CHAPTER 1:
Morality, Ethics, and Human Behavior
Ethical issues exist in all areas of criminal justice system (from passage of laws to punishment)
Criminal justice professionals have discretion
Legislators: in making laws
Police: in enforcing laws
Attorneys and Judges: affecting justice process
Correctional Professionals: affecting offenders lives
What do criminal justice professionals have in common? power to make decisions
duty to enforce the law
obligation to provide “due process” and “equal protection” for all
commitment to “public service”
Goals of the study of ethics -Braswell
Become aware of and open to ethical issues
Begin developing critical thinking skills
Become more personally responsible
Understand coercive element of the justice system
Develop wholesight (the ability to explore with one’s heart as well as one’s mind)
Defining Terms
morals The judgment of behavior as right or wrong.
ethics The study and analysis of what constitutes good or bad conduct.
* The two words are often used interchangeably.
meta-ethics Technical investigation of the meaning of ethical terms, as well as how ethical statements can be verified.
normative ethics Definition of right conduct and moral duties.
applied ethics Application of ethical principles to specific issues or fields.
professional ethics Examination of the behavior of certain professional groups.
duties Moral obligations that one must carry out to be considered ethical.
supererogatory An act that goes beyond duty and is not required to be considered good or moral.
imperfect duties General obligation with no specific acts.
Honesty
Health
Family
Financial success
Beauty
What else are values? Are some more important than others?
To be judgedmoral or immoral,behavior must involve:
human acts
of free will
affecting others.
Inventory
Morality, Ethics, and Human Behavior
Ethical issues exist in all areas of criminal justice system (from passage of laws to punishment)
Criminal justice professionals have discretion
Legislators: in making laws
Police: in enforcing laws
Attorneys and Judges: affecting justice process
Correctional Professionals: affecting offenders lives
What do criminal justice professionals have in common? power to make decisions
duty to enforce the law
obligation to provide “due process” and “equal protection” for all
commitment to “public service”
Goals of the study of ethics -Braswell
Become aware of and open to ethical issues
Begin developing critical thinking skills
Become more personally responsible
Understand coercive element of the justice system
Develop wholesight (the ability to explore with one’s heart as well as one’s mind)
Defining Terms
morals The judgment of behavior as right or wrong.
ethics The study and analysis of what constitutes good or bad conduct.
* The two words are often used interchangeably.
meta-ethics Technical investigation of the meaning of ethical terms, as well as how ethical statements can be verified.
normative ethics Definition of right conduct and moral duties.
applied ethics Application of ethical principles to specific issues or fields.
professional ethics Examination of the behavior of certain professional groups.
duties Moral obligations that one must carry out to be considered ethical.
supererogatory An act that goes beyond duty and is not required to be considered good or moral.
imperfect duties General obligation with no specific acts.
Honesty
Health
Family
Financial success
Beauty
What else are values? Are some more important than others?
To be judgedmoral or immoral,behavior must involve:
human acts
of free will
affecting others.
Inventory