Ethics in Law Enforcement LEA 4343 Quiz

Overview of Ethical Systems

• The chapter covers the ethical system in general, including two main approaches to ethics: normative approach and descriptive approach to ethics.

Normative Approach to Ethics

• Examines what ought to be and how one ought to act.
• A system of moral principles that guide decision-making in difficult situations.
• Importance: serves as a guide in making decisions about what to do in difficult situations.
• Three main types of normative ethical theories:
  • Consequentialism
  • Deontology
  • Virtue ethics

Descriptive Approach to Ethics

• Studies people's views regarding moral beliefs, values, and standards.
• Analyzes what society thinks is right and wrong.
• Different beliefs are categorized into their own classes.
• Examples of descriptive ethics: anthropology, psychology, and sociology.

Integrity in Ethical Systems

• Definition: "strict adherence to moral values and principles" (Chambers 21st Century Dictionary).
• Integrity is the consistency between beliefs, decisions, and actions, and continued adherence to values and principles.
• Types of integrity:
  • Self-integration (self-constitution): integrating various aspects of one's personality into a harmonious whole.
  • Integrity as moral purpose: commitment to living a moral life despite differing views from others.
  • Organizational integrity: ability of organizations to develop and implement an integrity management framework.

Ethical/Moral System and Its Mistakes

• Common Morality System by Bernard Gert: a system of deciding what to do based on common sense and rational decision-making.
• Components of Common Morality:
  • Not to kill
  • Not to cause pain
  • Not to deceive
  • Not to cheat
• Five basic harms in Common Morality:
  • Death
  • Pain
  • Disability
  • Loss of freedom
  • Loss of pleasure

Ethical Systems as Moral Theories/Philosophies

• Attempts to provide a clear account of ethical obligations and clarify what is right or wrong to do in particular situations.
• Some philosophical ethical theories:
  • Utilitarianism: doing what will produce the best outcomes while considering the interests of all concerned parties.
  • Consequentialism: whether an act is moral depends on its consequences.
  • Deontology: following rules that must be respected, such as privacy and respect for others' autonomy.
  • Virtue Theory: focusing on what kinds of people we want to be and what kinds of ethical examples we ought to follow.
  • Feminist Ethics: emphasizing interpersonal concerns such as caring, interdependence, and the ethical requirements of particular relationships.

Test your knowledge of ethics in law enforcement with this quiz, covering topics related to LEA 4343. See how well you understand the principles and concepts of ethics in a law enforcement context.