Ethics in Criminal Justice - Essay Example

Ethics in Criminal Justice Affiliation with more information about affiliation, research grants, conflict of interest and how to contactEthics in Criminal JusticeIt is not possible to take ethical decisions all the time. Ethics is a vast field of study in philosophy, which can be mainly expressed in terms of three common principles that then branch off into different sub-groups according to the basic theme. Ethical conduct in society basically comes down to three values that involve consideration of individual rights, rights of the masses, and the idea of distributive justice.

Success in decision making mainly depends on both the quality of the decision and its effective execution. Quality of the decision depends on the variety of ideas and the effectiveness of its execution depends on dedication and commitment on part of people involved to carry out the decision. “Ethical decision making will be reserved for use in a group decision making context. Specifically, we will address ethical decision making in business as providing the guiding requirements or goals for right conduct” (Addressing Ethics in Decision Making, 2009).

The three principles related with making ethical decisions are utilitarianism, formalism and virtue ethics. Utilitarianism:It is the most realistic and accurate expression of the fundamental feeling behind the ethical point of view, that is, benevolence. This principle states that there is room in the structure for conventional ethical rules, but adds that these principles can gain power only from maximizing usefulness during the long term. Ethical Formalism:There is probably no one in the modern period whose visions have influenced moral reflection above those of 18th-century theorist Immanuel Kant.

Kant creates his "supreme principle" in numerous different methods, all of which he claims to be equal. Aristotle’s Virtue Ethics:Unlike other two ethical principles, virtue ethics does not offer ethics for judging an act right or wrong. It gives attention to building up the character of human beings so that an individual is bound to do the right thing. Character traits such as self-control, courage, justice generosity, gentleness etc are developed through this. Virtue ethics revolves around achievement and promotion of human excellence.

Every moral virtue is a means that gives extreme happiness. Sometimes it generates a feeling of doing too much or too little. The absolute mean is diverse from the mean as it is relative to the human being. Ethical decision-making in the organizations helps to change the future for the better. “Addressing ethics in decision making in business or other large organizations or groups (e.g., government) does point to the need to ensure that key focusing decisions have been made and are in place.

In particular, the business decision for core values should be in place to provide the goals/requirements that will be used to create and constrain the criteria used in the network of business decisions” (Addressing Ethics in Decision Making, 2009). This focus in decision-making can influence criterion for taking decisions throughout the system of business. It directly influences the ethical way of decision-making and organizational conduct. Changing the basis for any company’s ethics in decision-making, in theory, calls for a new agreement that involves every individual reconciling with their individual moral choices.

In practice, this alteration may lead to conflict, as person’s morals may result in choices that infringe the companys decision-making ethics.Reference ListAddressing Ethics in Decision Making, (2009). Decision Innovation. Retrieved from http://www.decision-making-solutions.com/ethics_in_decision_making.html