Ethics and Terrorism Investigations Ethics and laws are dependent upon one another. Society knows what is right and what is wrong based on the laws of that community; however, laws are usually defined within narrow parameters. Not every application of the law may be the correct course of action which requires the ethical deliberation of all facts and circumstances to ensure justice is served. The question that needs to be answered in any ethical dilemma is, “Who will be harmed and who will benefit” (Skeen 2015)? According to British Philosophers John Mill and Jeremy Bentham, the answer to the question lies in the Utilitarian Theory that “Actions are right to the degree that they tend to promote the greatest good for the greatest number” (as cited by Kay, n.d.).
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Georgia (1977). The State of Georgia upheld the death penalty for the defendant who committed rape. The victim survived the incident which left the United States Supreme Court with an ethical dilemma to examine. The state law was clear on the penalty for rape; however, did the punishment fit the crime? The US Supreme Court ruled the death penalty was not a choice for punishment since the crime did not involve death; therefore, it violated the 8th Amendment against cruel and unusual punishment (Justia (Coker), n.d.). Even though the law was legitimate, ethics played a role in the final decision as the greatest good for the greatest number emerged from the decision. The decision halted executions as punishment for less than capital crimes which prevents the death penalty from being improperly applied in future cases. Given that the death penalty is permanent punishment, it was crucial to determine its role in
Georgia (1977). The State of Georgia upheld the death penalty for the defendant who committed rape. The victim survived the incident which left the United States Supreme Court with an ethical dilemma to examine. The state law was clear on the penalty for rape; however, did the punishment fit the crime? The US Supreme Court ruled the death penalty was not a choice for punishment since the crime did not involve death; therefore, it violated the 8th Amendment against cruel and unusual punishment (Justia (Coker), n.d.). Even though the law was legitimate, ethics played a role in the final decision as the greatest good for the greatest number emerged from the decision. The decision halted executions as punishment for less than capital crimes which prevents the death penalty from being improperly applied in future cases. Given that the death penalty is permanent punishment, it was crucial to determine its role in