Virtue Ethics: A Foundational Framework for Administrative Ethics
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This thesis investigates how virtue ethics can be a foundational framework for administrative ethics, focusing on its potential to improve the ethical behavior of public administrators amidst challenges that may diminish government accountability. The study begins by identifying the pressing need for a robust moral foundation within government agencies to enhance accountability and public trust. The literature review covers various ethical theories and approaches, highlighting the lack of consensus on the best normative foundation while positioning virtue ethics as a promising yet underexplored alternative. The thesis scrutinizes the concept of the "virtuous person," illustrating the impossibility of perfect virtue and the necessity of adopting a framework that acknowledges the journey toward moral excellence. By framing the concept of a "virtuous person" as a mathematical limit, this thesis addresses the criticism regarding the impossibility of achieving moral perfection. Instead, it emphasizes continuous moral development as a more practical goal for public administrators. This theoretical foundation is then connected to practice by exploring the role of independent critique, changing societal standards, and the organizational context. Through these lenses, the study demonstrates how public administrators can strive toward moral excellence by continuously improving their ethical decision-making, fostering accountability, and creating ethical environments in their agencies.