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ABSTRACT
All social theory which might give rise to criminal justice strategy and policy derives from one of three basic paradigms. These three paradigms are (1) the Rational Choice Paradigm, (2) the Deterministic Paradigm, and (3) the Result Paradigm. The application of these paradigmatic perspectives determine how we define, process and treat criminals within the criminal justice system. It is the contention here that most of the systemic problems that occur within the criminal justice system emanate from the application of conflicting multiple paradigms as bases for policy and programs. A major source of this dilemma is our lack of clear conceptual understanding of the nature of and assumptions supporting these rival paradigms. It is concluded that the impacts of such conflicts would be lessened if practitioners were educated as practitioner philosophers, capable of decision-making in the context of ethical consistency in a pluralistic society.