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Utilitarian_Ethics

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Jerome Gonatice
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19 views12 pages

Utilitarian_Ethics

Uploaded by

Jerome Gonatice
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Utilitarian Ethics

Utilitarian Ethics
• Utilitarian ethics is a normative ethical system that is
primarily concerned with the consequences of ethical
decisions;
• therefore, it can be described as a teleological
theory or consequentialist theory, which are
essentially the same thing, both having a notion that
the consequence of the act is the most important
determinant of the act being moral or not.
• Two formulations of utilitarianism:
• Act utilitarianism
• Rule utilitarianism
The Problems with Utilitarianism
Some of the major problems with utilitarian consequentialist
ethics include the following:
• Measuring happiness is difficult.
• Utilitarian ethics is concerned about the consequences
of our actions, regardless of the action itself.
• Desired ethical consequences that actually result from
our actions do not always happen immediately.
• Happiness should not be the only consequence or goal
that matters in some ethical dilemmas.
• When utilitarian decisions benefit the majority at the
expense of the minority, the minority’s rights may not
be taken into account.
Ethical Dilemmas and the Process of
Effective Resolution
• In order to solve ethical dilemmas, we must be aware
of what values we consider important. Pollock (2010,
p.13) defines values as unverifiable “elements of
desirability, worth and importance.” They are
unverifiable because they are not capable of being
scientifically proven and may vary from person to
person.
• Evans and MacMillan (2014) define values as
opinions and beliefs that we decide are beneficial or
important. Before we address how we can solve
ethical dilemmas, we need to understand what values
are and why they are so important.
Values
Values are what guide an agency and its employees.
Law enforcement agencies will have differing values
depending on their function. An agency that investigates
wildlife infractions may possess different values from
correctional services.
• Integrity
• Courage
• Teamwork
• Passion
• Service
• Curiosity
• Accountability
Solving Ethical Dilemmas
1. Determine whether there is an ethical issue or/and
dilemma.
2. Identify the key values and principles involved.
3. Rank the values or ethical principles which – in your
professional judgement – are most relevant to the issue
or dilemma.
4. Develop an action plan that is consistent with the
ethical priorities that have been determined as central
to the dilemma.
5. Implement your plan, utilizing the most appropriate
practice skills and competencies.
6. Reflect on the outcome of this ethical decision-making
process.
Key Ethical Issue within Law Enforcement
• Key ethical issues that face law enforcement are not
easy to identify at times, and when they are
identified, they are open to interpretation.
The Ethics of Power and Authority
Law enforcement officers possess enormous amounts
of power, which can be used against citizens to deprive
them of their freedom, search them and their dwellings,
seize their property, and use force against them. These
powers are legally permitted under specific
circumstances, and law enforcement officers are trained
to know when these powers can be legally applied.
It is important that law enforcement officers not misuse
their power for the following reasons.

• Because of the psychology of citizenship.


• To maintain due process.
• To safeguard discretionary power and therefore
efficiency.

Power and authority are tools that law enforcement


officers must use judiciously and ethically. Without an
ethical life, this power will be misused, creating a
power imbalance that is bad for the officer, the agency,
and society.
Ethical Issues During an Investigation

• Caseload Management
Law enforcement officers who are in investigative
roles are often confronted with ethical issues during the
investigative process.
• Lies, Deception and Tricks
Investigators walk a line between being tenacious in
their investigations and being overzealous in refusing to
give up a case that ought to be closed due to a lack of
evidence.
Thank you !!!

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