Robert Jackall is a sociologist and professor renowned for his extensive fieldwork among New York City detectives and prosecutors, earning him the moniker "The Professor." His research delves into the intricate dynamics of law enforcement and the justice system, focusing on the ethical considerations, decision-making processes, and social interactions inherent in these demanding professions. Jackall's work provides a unique lens through which to understand the functioning of justice and human nature under pressure.
This updated edition of a classic study of ethics in business presents an eye-opening account of how corporate managers think the world works, and how big organizations shape moral consciousness. Robert Jackall takes the reader inside a topsy-turvy world where hard work does not necessarily lead to success, but sharp talk, self-promotion, powerful patrons, and sheer luck might. This edition includes a new foreword linking the themes of Moral Mazes to the financial tsunami that engulfed the world economy in 2008.
Detectives navigate the streets—filled with action, vice, and violence—to gather fragmented information about crimes. They also engage with the complex justice system, maneuvering through police hierarchies, district attorney offices, and overloaded courts, transforming street knowledge into public narratives of accountability. Based on extensive fieldwork with the New York City Police Department and District Attorney's office, this work explores the moral ambiguities detectives face as they transition between gritty urban environments and bureaucratic structures.
As they piece together street stories to unravel agency and motive, detectives traverse diverse social strata, developing cosmopolitan perspectives and exceptional storytelling abilities. The narrative captures the shocking realities of the underworld and critiques a justice system that often complicates rather than clarifies life-and-death issues, blending rationality with absurdity.
Detectives’ accounts reveal their professional consciousness, including the cunning of their investigative methods, their self-perceptions, moral frameworks, and views on the individuals involved in their cases. While they find fulfillment in apprehending criminals and enhancing public safety, their stories also expose the darker aspects of a troubled social order.
