is the police code of ethics considered normative ehics or meta-ethic? why?
What have you learned from your studies?
To determine whether the police code of ethics is considered normative ethics or meta-ethics, we need to understand the distinction between the two.
Normative ethics is concerned with establishing and prescribing moral principles or standards of behavior. It asks questions such as "What is morally right or wrong?" and aims to provide guidelines for ethical conduct.
On the other hand, meta-ethics is the branch of ethics that examines the nature and meaning of moral language and judgments. It delves into questions like "What does it mean for something to be morally right or wrong?" and "How do we come to know what is right or wrong?"
In the case of the police code of ethics, it is primarily an example of normative ethics. The code establishes guidelines and principles that govern the behavior and conduct of police officers. It specifies the moral and professional responsibilities, such as maintaining integrity, respecting citizens' rights, and using force appropriately.
Although there might be discussions and debates around the specific ethical principles within the code, the nature of the police code of ethics itself is concerned with establishing standards of conduct rather than examining the abstract concepts and language of morality. Thus, it aligns more closely with normative ethics.