Republic of the Philippines

NUEVA ECIJA UNIVERS

City, Nueva Ecija, Philippines
ISO 9001:2015 CERTIFIED
COLLEGE OF CRIMINOLOGY

PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT AND ETHICAL STANDARDS

(PCES)
 Republic of the Philippines
NUEVA ECIJA UNIVERS
City, Nueva Ecija, Philippines
ISO 9001:2015 CERTIFIED
COLLEGE OF CRIMINOLOGY

Objective/s: At the end of this topic, the students could identify, Criminology 4 (PCES)
present, and discuss basic concept and principles about ethics,
Week 1
values, and justice.

Good day! How was your long vocation? I am hoping that

you are all doing well and safe. For now, yours truly is your
instructor in this course. This subject will provides guidance in
understanding the interconnectedness of the aspirational and
practical principles and provisions of the Professional Conduct and
Ethical Standard of any organization. The code contains high-level
aspirational ethical principles that drive every person to create a
positive and reputable profession.

Ethics can be defines as a set moral principles or rules of conduct

that provide guidance for our behavior when it affects others. Widely
acknowledge fundamental ethical principles include honesty, fairness,
diligence, and care and respect for others. Ethical conduct follows those
principles and balances self-interest with both the direct and the indirect
consequences of that behavior for other people. Not only does unethical
behavior by individuals have serious personal consequences ranging from job
loss and reputation damages to fines and even jail.

Governments and regulators have historically tried to combat

misconduct through regulatory reform, with various levels of success. However,
compliance with regulation alone is insufficient to fully earn trust. Individuals
and organization must develop a “culture and integrity” that permeates all levels
of operations and promotes the ethical principles, above and beyond strict
compliance with the law. A strong ethical behavior will foster the trust of
everybody, and ultimately benefit society. That is why ethics matters.
 Republic of the Philippines
NUEVA ECIJA UNIVERS
City, Nueva Ecija, Philippines
ISO 9001:2015 CERTIFIED
COLLEGE OF CRIMINOLOGY

Topic: Background on Ethics, Values & Justice

Okay fellows, let’s take a look on where did ethics started.

The study of ethics started with the Greek philosophers, notably Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle.
Socrates is regarded as the father of moral philosophy. However, it is Aristotle who has greatly
influenced ethical thinking. Ethics is the discipline dealing with right or wrong, without having to
go back to the ancient philosophers and scholars, common sense tells us the things that are
right are the things that help people and society at large. It is based on what one might call
reciprocity, something like the Golden Rule – “Do unto others what you want others to do unto
you.” Or even its negative version – “Don’t do unto others what you don’t like them to do unto
you”.

What is ethics and where did the word ethics came from?

The word ethics is derived from the Greek word “ethos” which
means a characteristic way of acting, habit, or custom. The Latin equivalent
is mos, mores, from which come to the word moral and morality. It is an area
of philosophy considered as a normative science.

What is Human Conduct?

Human Conduct - pertains to the standards of conduct and moral

requirements necessary to function effectively within an organization or
profession. It is a branch of moral science that treats of the correct
performance of public service and human acts of a public officer. Rules of
conduct. It is a branch of philosophy that studies the principles of right or
wrong in the human act.
We have two (2) Approaches to Ethics and these are:

1. Atheistic Approach. It assumes that only matter exists and man is responsible only to the
state since there is no God who rules the universe. Morality is an invention of man to suit his
requirement and to preserve society. Moral truth is temporary and changeable depending on
the situation.
2. Theistic Approach. It assumes that God is the Supreme Lawgiver. Everything must conform
to God's eternal plan of creation. Man must exercise his freedom in accordance with God's will.
There are absolute principles of morality that are not changeable. Man is accountable for his
actions and deserves either a reward or punishment in this life or in the next life.
 Republic of the Philippines
NUEVA ECIJA UNIVERS
City, Nueva Ecija, Philippines
ISO 9001:2015 CERTIFIED
COLLEGE OF CRIMINOLOGY

What is values?

It refers to something that a person prices, cherishes and esteems, or something

important to him. It includes ideas, things, or experiences. The shared conception of
beliefs and convictions in what is considered as contributory to the welfare of the
group. These are ideas and concepts within each of us that we deemed significant
and essential. Values help human beings resolve and determine right from wrong,
and help define their identity and choose what they advocate and stand for.
Categories of Values
A value system is the ordered and prioritized set us of ethical and doctrinal values that an
individual's culture upholds. In this context, value is part of the core value system from which one
operates or reacts. These values can be grouped into six categories:
1. Ethics - good - bad, virtue - vice, moral – immoral - amoral, right – wrong, permissible –
impermissible.
2. Aesthetics - beautiful, ugly, unbalanced, pleasing.
3. Doctrinal - political, ideological, religious, or social beliefs and values.
4. Innate - inborn values such as reproduction and survival, a controversial category.
5. Non-use/passive – includes the value based on something never used or seen or something
left for the next generation.
6. Potential/option – the value of something that’s known to be only potentially valuable, such
as a plant that might be found to have medicinal value in the future. A value system is the
ordered and prioritized set of values that an individual’s culture upholds.
Ideal Values for the Police
1. Honesty
2. Integrity
3. Respect for human rights
4. Professionalism
5. Strong sense of justice
6. Desire to help and serve others
7. Patriotism
8. Selflessness

.
 Republic of the Philippines
NUEVA ECIJA UNIVERS
City, Nueva Ecija, Philippines
ISO 9001:2015 CERTIFIED
COLLEGE OF CRIMINOLOGY

What do we mean by Hierarchy of Values, Summum Bonum, and is Virtue?

The Hierarchy of Values. It refers to the order of values from the highest to the lowest in
importance. The goods pertaining to the soul, the intellect, and will occupy the highest level of
importance while the biological values occupy the lowest rank. God the highest value.
What is Summum Bonum? It is a Latin word that means the highest good. It is God the
ultimate and absolute good that will fulfill human desires.
What is Virtue? It refers to a trait or quality that is deemed to be morally good and thus is
valued as a foundation of principle and good moral being

Do Policeman have cardinal Virtues?

Yes, and these are:

1. Prudence. It refers to the ability to govern and discipline oneself by means of
logical reasoning and sound judgment. It is a habit which inclines man to act in
a way that harmonizes with nature (virtue), which attracts the intellect to prefer
the most effective means for accomplishing what is morally good and avoid moral
evils.
2. Temperance. It refers to the ability to avoid something and act of moderation,
regulating one’s carnal appetite for sensual pleasures.
3. Fortitude. It denotes firmness of mind, the courage to endure without
yielding. It is a combination of patience (calmness and composure in enduring
something), perseverance (the ability to continue despite obstacles or
opposition), and endurance (the ability to last).
4. Justice. It refers to a virtue that inclines the will to give every person his\her
accorded rights.
Justice - It is a concept of moral rightness based ethics, rationality, law, natural
law, religion, equity, and fairness, as well as the administration of the law,
taking into account the inalienable and inborn rights of all human beings and
citizens, the right of all people and individuals to equal protection before the law
of their civil rights, without discrimination on the basis of race, gender, sexual
orientation, gender identity, national origin, color, ethnicity, religion, disability,
age, wealth, or other characteristics, and is further regarded as being inclusive
of social justice.
 Republic of the Philippines
NUEVA ECIJA UNIVERS
City, Nueva Ecija, Philippines
ISO 9001:2015 CERTIFIED
COLLEGE OF CRIMINOLOGY

Division of Justice
1. Commutative Justice. It regulates actions that involve the rights that exist among
individuals, violation of which calls for restitution (The duty of repairing the harmed caused).
Ex. SPO1 Donato steals the gun of PO1 Dante.
2. Distributive Justice. It standardizes those actions that have to do with the rights an
individual may claim form society.
Ex. Mayor Abel confers an honorary title to an undeserving relative of his.
3. Legal Justice. It puts into order those actions which society may justly require of the
individual for the common good.
Ex. The state may create laws concerning imports – If a man smuggles contraband
into the country, he violates legal justice.

Fellows, don’t forget that Justice has two (2) variations and these are:

Variations of Justice
1. Retributive Justice. It regulates proportionate response to crime proven by lawful
evidence so that punishment is justly imposed and considered morally correct and fully
deserved. The LAW OF RETALIATION (LEX TALIONIS) is a military theory of retributive
justice, which means that reciprocity should be equal to the wrong suffered; life for life wound
for wound, stripe for stripe.
2. Restorative Justice. It is concerned not so much with retribution and punishment making
the victim whole and reintegrating the offender into the society. This approach frequently
brings the offender and victim together, so that the offender can better understand the
consequence of the offense he committed. It brings back the attitude of the offender as a law-
abiding citizen.