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UNIT 5

 

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· Unit 5 The Virtue Of Virtue

INTRODUCTION

Are human beings by nature virtuous? If we are born virtuous, why do some people stray from what we commonly expect as a virtue norm? We expect virtue (commonly defined as a particular moral excellence above and beyond the expectations of others) from both our public officials and anyone responsible for protecting the public in private enterprise as well. Foundational philosophers such as Hobbes, Hume, and Darwin were joined by psychologists such as Freud, Piaget, and Kohlberg in developing our thinking about virtue—particularly the level of virtue we expect from anyone who has a responsibility to protect others in any way.

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For the public administrator, evidence of this expectation of virtue can take many forms. We expect a public servant to come forward if they see fraud, waste, or abuse occurring in a government agency or department. We expect our military to report violations of power such as torture. We expect that when ethical dilemmas arise in public service, our public servants will do the right thing and come forward to expose the wrongdoing. And yet there are consequences for these actions as well, including organizational and individual retaliations, loss of job advantages, and risks to future advancements. In this unit, you will explore the concept of virtue ethics and how it applies in the public sector.

OBJECTIVES

To successfully complete this learning unit, you will be expected to:

1. Analyze the ancient theory bases that have evolved to the understanding of virtue ethics today.

2. Examine the theory bases of virtue as they apply to public administrators professional ethics and integrity.

3. Assess the support that basic theories provide for public sector ethical dilemmas and the public good that can arise from them.

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[u05s1] Unit 5 Study 1

Studies

Whistle-Blowing: Public Benefits and Personal Risks

Launch Presentation  |  Transcript

Readings

Use the reserved library readings and the Thiroux and Krasemann text to complete the following:

· Read Perry, " Whistleblowing, Organizational Performance, and Organizational Control ."

· In Thiroux and Krasemann, read Chapter 4, " Virtue Ethics," pages 61–76.

Presentation

Our society needs whistle-blowers. In fact we often admire them for their courage to live out their personal ethics publicly. The true story of many whistle-blowers, though, is that their virtuous behavior results in personal losses. Click Launch Presentation to view "Whistle-Blowing: Public Benefits and Personal Risks." You will use this presentation in a discussion later in this unit.

Discussion Preparation

Locate examples of virtue in the public sector in preparation for a discussion later in this unit. This can come from peer-reviewed or popular press sources.

Mindmap

Add to your ethics mindmap based on the theories and practices that you learn about this week. As a reminder, you will add to this mindmap in each unit and submit it to your instructor in Unit 8.

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[u05a1] Unit 5 Assignment 1

Consequentialism and Nonconsequentialism

Resources

·   Consequentialism and Nonconsequentialism Scoring Guide .

Two primary categories of ethics theory that apply in the public sector are consequentialism and nonconsequentialism. The solution for every ethical dilemma can fall into one category or the other, defined further by the subcategories that arise from the various theorists that wrote about each school of thought.

For this assignment, write a 3–4 page paper in which you analyze the consequential and nonconsequential theory bases that apply to your chosen ethical dilemma. If any do not apply, explain why. Determine what this means for the practice of public administration today and into the future. Include the text as one source, and at least five other peer-reviewed sources to support your contentions. Your paper should comply with APA standards. Submit this Word document as an attachment in the assignment area.

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[u05d1] Unit 5 Discussion 1

Virtue as a Modern Trait

Resources

·   Discussion Participation Scoring Guide .

The value of virtue in today's society is something that many overlook and some even criticize. Using virtue as a standard of action or as a means of gauging someone's worth is even deemed to be old-fashioned. Compare the concepts of virtue that are described in the text and explain how it has evolved over time. Analyze the meaningfulness of virtue ethics for today's public administrators. Provide examples to illustrate your points.

Response Guidelines

Read your peers' posts and respond to at least one, comparing your viewpoints on the concept of virtue in the public sector.

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[u05d2] Unit 5 Discussion 2

Whistle-Blowing

Resources

·   Discussion Participation Scoring Guide .

Whistle-blowers, people who bring to light illegal or unethical practices in organizations, often act with the highest integrity but face retaliation for doing so. Using the concepts in this unit, examine what your reaction might be if someone approached you and asked you to help them bring a bad practice to the public's attention. Knowing that retaliation is too often the result, analyze how this might affect your willingness to come forward if you saw illegal or unethical practices in the government office where you worked. Discuss possible strategies to mitigate the adverse consequences of becoming a whistle-blower.

Response Guidelines

Read your peers' posts and respond to at least one, commenting on how your peer's perspective on whistle-blowing and his or her strategies have helped your own perspective evolve further. Respectfully debate the issues around being a whistle-blower in today's society.