Ethics in Public Safety
Introduction
Ethics support the right functioning of public safety, as they can define both the goals and the proper or moral ways to achieving those goals. This paper discusses the big three primary ethical frameworks: Deontological, Teleological, and Virtue Ethics. The focus of this paper is on their premises, the philosophical proponents of each, how they have been refined by philosophers over time, the criticisms each has faced, and their respective applications in public safety.
Deontological Ethics
Deontological Ethics is based on the premise that certain actions are inherently right or wrong, independent of their outcomes. This duty-based ethical framework focuses on adherence to rules, principles, and obligations. Immanuel Kant is the primary proponent of this ethical philosophy. Kantian ethics is primarily known for its "categorical imperative" which implies an absolute, unconditional requirement that must be obeyed in all circumstances (Paton, 1971). W.D. Ross later refined Deontological ethics by differentiating between prima facie duties, which might conflict, and absolute duties, which must always be obeyed (Hurka, 2014). This helped to address some of the more subtle and nuanced aspects of moral decision-making when mere reference to some universal duty might appear insufficient as a guide to resolve the matter in every situation.
Yet, even that refinement may not have satisfied everyone, as deontology is still often criticized for its rigidity and inconsideration of consequences. Critics argue that it can result in poor outcomes when blindly following rules that do not account for context or nuance (Hurka, 2014). For instance, a strict adherence to the principle of truth-telling, which is a common duty in deontological ethics, could cause unnecessary harm, such as when a public leader has to deliver a harsh truth could cause distress or panic. Public leaders often try to downplay such truths to prevent disorder and chaos from breaking out in the public. Critics also argue that deontology lacks practicality in its application. The universal laws of this ethical framework do not necessarily apply well to real-life situations. It may not always be feasible or reasonable to apply a single moral rule across all situations because there is often a high degree of grayness to many situations.
Still, deontology, with its emphasis on duties, rights, and adherence to rules, can be compatible with public safety. Law enforcement, as an example, is heavily rule-based, with officers having a duty to enforce the law and protect citizens' rights. There is a clear expectation to uphold justice, irrespective of...
…and the availability of moral education, which may not be universally accessible. This dependency on moral education can potentially limit the scope and applicability of Virtue Ethics.Virtue ethics works well in disciplines within public safety where character and personal integrity are essential. For example, firefighters often operate in situations of extreme risk, requiring virtues such as courage, selflessness, and resilience. Those attracted to public safety professions often have strong personal integrity and a desire to serve their communities, aligning with the virtue ethics' focus on moral character. Another application of virtue ethics in public safety is in the training and professional development of individuals in these fields. By fostering virtues like honesty, responsibility, and empathy, public safety officials can become moral exemplars in their communities. For instance, a police officer who displays the virtue of empathy could defuse potentially volatile situations, leading to a more peaceful resolution.
In conclusion, Deontological, Teleological, and Virtue ethics provide diverse lenses to view ethical considerations in public safety. While deontology emphasizes duties, teleology focuses on outcomes, and virtue ethics stresses moral character. Deontological ethics provide a rule-based structure, teleological ethics offer pragmatic decision-making tools, and virtue ethics emphasize the importance of moral character. The choice between these frameworks often depends on the…
References
Hurka, T. (2014). Sidgwick on Consequentialism and Deontology: A Critique. Utilitas, 26(2), 129-152.
Macdonald, J. E., & Beck-Dudley, C. L. (1994). Are deontology and teleology mutually exclusive?. Journal of business ethics, 13, 615-623.
Paton, H. J. (1971). The categorical imperative: A study in Kant's moral philosophy (Vol. 1023). University of Pennsylvania Press.
Public Safety vs. Civil Rights The United States and its citizens promote a vision of the country as the epitome of civil rights and liberties. These, however, are not offered free from the conditions of honoring the civil rights and liberties, and indeed the safety, of those who share citizenship and residency within American borders. Hence, public safety and civil liberties often need to share an uncomfortable balance. In many cases,
Public Safety Privacy Analysis Illinois Concealed carry ban tossed by federal appeals court The ruling by the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel in Chicago allows the public to engage in personal delivery possession of ready-to-use guns and other weapons of death. The court ruled that the public should be allowed to carry their weapons for self-defence outside their homes. Some lawyers who had fundamental details concerning the need to prevent the public
Because natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other types of emergencies often do not respect jurisdictional or physical boundaries, first responders from different agencies, local, state and federal, need to quickly work together (Simay, 2009). During large, catastrophic incidents, first responders may need additional assistance from the U.S. military and the National Guard (Davitt, 2008). The federal government is also concerned that these large events could overwhelm the communications
An environment where abuse is condoned can make students feel as if something is 'wrong' with them if they do not overindulge. Fraternities and other organizations which host parties need to confront their role in setting the tone for the campus and provide more alcohol-free activities. The school needs to support groups such as Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous (and/or other programs with proven effectiveness 'track records' working with young adult
Public Relations Introduction: Public Safety The aim of the public safety sector is the provision of products and services geared at safeguarding individuals and their property. Over 286,000 individuals are employed in this sector, which can be segregated into the following two key segments: commercial and governmental organizations. Federal, regional, state, and local level governmental public safety organizations agencies have outnumbered commercial ones all through the course of the past decade. Most
Privacy Law: Requiring Convicted Sex Offenders to Register and Allow Their Personal Data to Be Published by the State One of the most heinous crimes any individual can be accused of is the crime molesting a child. In the hearts and minds of most of the public, perhaps even in the hearts and minds of most legislators and judges, convicted sex abusers exist within a particular category of their own. They
Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.
Get Started Now