The term ethics describe the investigation and analysis of moral principle and dilemmas. Ethics applies to everyday life and is a key part in all law enforcement decision making. Law enforcement in particular policing make decisions with in split seconds. Theses decisions however are later scrutinized criticized and played in slow motions to determine what should have could have or would have been. Ethics in general is a topic that scholars have debated for years. In fact, there are many different view points on ethics and how people should approach it. Two ethical view points that are often in comparison are deontology and consequentialism. These two theories offer two unique perspectives that both have advantages and disadvantages. Each of these theories are used by people daily and are often used inter changeably without fore thought. However, in policing which ever ethical decision is made based off either theory the latter will be scrutinized and viewed as the better option of the two theories. Further along I will attempt to explain and compare the benefits and drawbacks of both the deontology theory and consequentialism.
Deontology is an ethical decision that is based off rules and principles. It is defined as the study of nature of duty and obligation. the rules are normally straight forward such as people should not lie steal or kill but also can include rules that are established by companies and other places of business. Deontology allows all people to have equal
Deontology ethical framework is manifested by both moral theories and universal principles. This consists of conformity with a moral normality, good sense and judgment, fairness and the choices of what we ought to do. Even when moral action overrides the order, the ethical choice should be the chosen path.
Overall, deontology is based upon not just by following universal rules or performing what is ought to do, but by respecting human beings as rational beings as well. Deontology judges the ethical motive of an action not by its consequences, merely by the reasoning behind it.
With this theory Michael Boylan explains that, “no calculations, such as consequences of the action can be measured.” The act should only be based on duty and must be consistent with their absolutism. This may lead to the action of a deontologist turning out morally wrong. This theory often contradicts the other ethical theory utilitarianism. Michael Boylan explains that, “ the result of deontology acts on the moral of command rather than the possibility of the greater good”.
Deontological ethics are based on moral obligations, duties and rights. Rules are to guide decision making in deontological ethics. Deontological ethics have a more individualistic focus, as individuals are supposed to be treated with respect and dignity (Sexty, 2011, 7).
Deontology is an ethical position that examines the morality of an action based on the action’s adherence to rule or rules. Many times is described as obligation or rule based ethics (Alexander). Therefore, the only actions that are considered moral are those that are performed solely for one’s duty to the moral law rather than one’s desire. Deontology is the school of thought that Kant comes from. Immanuel Kant was a critical figure in philosophy in the modern age. His work was the foundation of the most famous form of Deontology.
Before explaining why deontology is the best option for the accounting profession, the definitions of each ethics systems must be explained in detail. First, deontology only takes into consideration the issues of fairness, rights, and commitments (Duska, 2011). This system focuses solely on what is right and wrong no matter what the consequences are for self or others. In other words, a deontologist focuses not on the results of the action, but the action itself (Uyar, et.al., 2015). Deontologists believe that moral decisions are based on their obligations and duties. They believe that right is always right and wrong is always wrong, regardless of the outcome.
The deontological ethics approach believes that an individual has an obligation to follow the well-defined set of laws or rules. Religion and society set the rules and laws that influence individual’s code of behavior regardless if the decision can increase suffering as predicted, as long as the individual adheres to the law. This belief often gives higher emphasis on a code of laws over personal morals of a person. One example is the fishing industry; we catch fish in the ocean inflict suffering on different species, but it provides food for the people. The method may seem unethical by killing a living creature, but deontological ethics justifies the process based on moral code that is more beneficial to the society.
Ethical studies in criminal justice is important because it provides the professionals with a platform for making noble choices when faced with unsure situations of moral concern. In this case, they require a system of rules as a guide in making complex moral decisions. Consequently, criminal justice professionals will develop analytical skills and reasoning potential in discerning the practical and theoretical aspects of their profession’s system. Additionally, an ethical insight eliminates inexperience in moral issues, hence enabling them to easily identify ethical consequences and moral code of conduct. Therefore, the awareness of criminal justice professionals on matters pertaining to
Deontological ethics is sometimes called duty-based ethics, which is a branch of ethics that believes people's actions should be based on rules about right and wrong. People who subscribe to deontological ethics believe that actions should be taken or not taken based on these rules about right and wrong (Mohn, E. 2016). A Deontologist looks at the reason that the act is done rather than looking at the consequences (Mossser, 2013).
The Deontological ethics is marked by steadfastness to universal principles—for example, respect for life, fairness, telling the truth, keeping promises—no matter what the consequences (Halbert, Law & Ethics in the Business Environment. pg. 17).
As a result of continued human suffering and questions of morality, many ethical theories have been developed over time to guide humans on how to coexist, differentiate between right and wrong, and live a “good” life. Many times, these different ethical theories seem to contradict one another, but all are conceived with the intention to guide morally just lives. Deontology is the most applicable theory of ethics because Deontology possesses a universal categorical imperative encompassing the ideas of having a “good will” and making decisions based on duty. The idea of having a universal categorical imperative prompts decision making that is increasingly based on duty, impartiality, justice, and considering how a particular decision will
Deontology come from the Greek word for duty. Deontology is the belief that good outcomes are largely irrelevant to moral concerns. Deontology takes away the effects of our actions and places the focus on the actions themselves. Actions that are prohibited in deontology include lying, killing, and dishonesty (Williams and Arrigo, 2012). In our example, Slager was responsible for the death of another, lied about how the incident occurred, and was overall dishonest.
Philosophybasics.com - Deontology, also known as “duty-bound” ethics, mainly focuses on the rightness or wrongness of an action, as opposed to the rightness or wrongness of the consequence of the action. In short, Deontology teaches that any act is ethical as long as it adheres to the moral
Virtue Ethics is neither deontological nor teleological, since it is concerned with neither duty nor consequences, but rather the state of the person acting. Aristotle believed that once you are good, good actions will necessarily follow, and this belief is at the centre of Virtue Ethics. Rather than defining good actions, Virtue Ethics looks at good people and the qualities that make them good. The non-normative theory, although very effective in determining the morality of individuals, is particularly flawed when applied to whole societies. This weakness is largely due to its imprecision and abstraction; however, before these weaknesses can be considered, it is necessary to give an account of the theory itself.
Ethics, also known as moral philosophy, is a subject of philosophy that engages itself in systematizing, defending, and recommending concepts of right and wrong. It investigates questions of right and wrong and of the best way of living for people. In this essay I am going to explain the differences between the ethical schools of consequentialism, deontology, and virtue ethics and argue that in my opinion deontology is the most reasonable theory of the three.