Personal Ethical Questionnaire Do My

Personal Ethical Questionnaire

Do my actions harm other sentient beings, including animals?

The principle of harm is central to any discussion of ethics. Harm-related ethics are particularly important in the field of medical ethics, but are equally as important to other areas like criminal justice (American Medical Association, 2013). Harm-related ethics can be classified as duty-based or deontological (we have an ethical duty to refrain from harming others); or consequentialist (harm is bad and causes suffering; therefore it is ethically wrong to do harm).

If I made a mistake, am I willing to admit that mistake even if it means suffering a personal consequence such as a job reprimand or even being fired?

Being honest about making mistakes raises a host of other ethical questions and most are related to the difference between deontological and consequentialist ethics. If my mistake results in no harm, do I have the express duty or obligation to come clean? If admitting my mistake might cause more harm than good, is it still a good idea to come clean? These concepts are covered in the Josephon Institute's (2013) Six Pillars approach to character ethics.

Are my actions promoting the common good?

The stakeholder theory of the common good often applies to social responsibility in the business world (Argandona, 1998). However, criminal justice professionals also understand the importance of acting in accordance with the common good -- taking into account the impact of a decision or act on all stakeholders including officers, the department, politics, and the community.

Do I feel guilt?

As Lillemammer (2006) points out, guilt plays a major role in the process of ethical inquiry because it can be a moral barometer. If I feel guilty about something, it might mean that I have done something that violates an ethical code.

Does the law/rule on the book differ from my personal moral/ethical beliefs, and if so, how?

As criminal justice officials, we are morally obliged to follow the law and proper procedure in our practice, even when the law on the books is different from what we believe to be the proper ethical course of action. As Williams (2012) puts it, laws can be immoral.

Have I consulted with others? What is the consensus?

Consensus-building is a fruitful way of flushing out the issues involved in a tricky ethical question (Chabon & Morris, 2004). This can be especially helpful in a team-oriented environment, where ethics impact a large number of people.

Am I using a deontological approach? If so, what cultural norms or worldviews am I using to guide my perception of right and wrong?

We are all biased towards our own cultural codes and norms, which influence our ethical inquiry. As Spoor (2007) points out, it can be fruitful to examine alternative ethical and moral codes.

Am I taking a consequentialist approach (the ends justify the means)?

Banks (2008) delineates the ways law enforcement officers often use a consequentialist approach in their practice, which does allow for a broad interpretation of roles, duties, and goals. It is important, however, to keep in mind that consequentialism is not the only measure of morality.