NCJ Number
139350
Date Published
1992
Length
415 pages
Annotation
This book introduces the fundamentals of ethical theory, doctrine, and controversy; and rules of moral judgment. The material is presented in two forms: a thematic perspective that examines ethical principles common to all components of the discipline, including wisdom, goodness, morality, and justice, and an area-specific perspective that addresses the state of ethics in different fields of criminal justice.
Abstract
The first chapter introduces the foundations of ethics: knowledge and reasoning; intellect and truth; the natures of reality, morality, and goodness; actions and consequences; and determinism and intentionalism. The second chapter outlines the nature, definitions, and sources of ethics. The sources of criminal justice ethics are examined: natural law, religious testaments, constitutional provisions, law, and professional codes. Ethical theories, concepts, and issues are the subjects of the third chapter, which covers the stoicism, hedonistic, virtue, religious, and naturalistic schools; utilitarianism; duty and reason; and social justice. The author identifies several major unethical themes in criminal justice management: lying and deception, racial prejudice and discrimination, and egoism and the abuse of authority. The final chapter explores ethics with regard to the police, corrections, and probation and parole. Chapter references