Chapter 4: Administration Responsibility: The Key to Administrative Ethics In order to access the following resource, click the links below. Watch the following segments from the full video listed below: Utilitarian Theory (segment 10 of 15) and Duty Theory (Segment 11 of 15). These video segments provide more information on two important theories in ethics. Films Media Group (Producer). (2004). Ethics: What is right [Video file]. Retrieved from https://libraryresources.columbiasouthern.edu/login?auth=CAS&url=https://fod.infobase.com/PortalPl aylists.aspx?wID=273866&xtid=32706 The transcript for this video can be found by clicking on “Transcript” in the gray bar to the right of the video in the Films on Demand database. Unit Lesson Philosophical Theories: Related to Ethical Decision-Making Many theorists have concluded that several decision-making models exist that focus on consistent norms and have derived from society and individual impressions. The textbook cites several sources that are prominent in this field, and lists some of the well-known founders of these theories. Participants that develop topics of public policy, such as social equity, education, conflict resolution, or human rights, may base their decisionmaking on the beliefs related to certain philosophies. Utilitarianism: Approach Based on Consequences Based on consequences, an action may be right or wrong. Jeremy Bentham and John Steward Mills derived this theory that was completely based on reason. The authors did not want their theory based on religion or a particular societal level of norms. More so, Utilitarianism wanted everyone to have access to a thinking mind and is based off an idea of utility or usefulness. An abbreviated summary of Bentham and Mills theory can be summarized as “the greatest good, for the greatest number or population.” We can assume that “good” means happiness or pleasure for most people. Another concept closely related to this outcome is efficacy, which implies the “least desired input for greatest desired output.” Business and government usually take this strategy for different reasons – mainly associated with resources. If one thinks about successful business and government practices, the decision-making effort outcomes generally result in products and services that work best, cost least, and last the longest. The consumer mindset also uses this simple and natural buying process for decision-making. The successful business leader uses this variable for short and long-term investment decisions, and the public manager focuses on successful public services, which utilizes public funding in a prudent and wise fashion. Another public example is the government buying process where services and products are purchased though a competitive vetting process where needs, values, and timely delivery are critical components of the purchasing decision model. Efficacy also applies to students who UNIT II STUDY GUIDE Established Philosophies Affecting Public Eth ...

1. Chapter 4: Administration Responsibility: The Key to
Administrative Ethics In order to access the following resource,
click the links below. Watch the following segments from the
full video listed below: Utilitarian Theory (segment 10 of 15)
and Duty Theory (Segment 11 of 15). These video segments
provide more information on two important theories in ethics.
Films Media Group (Producer). (2004). Ethics: What is right
[Video file]. Retrieved from
https://libraryresources.columbiasouthern.edu/login?auth=CAS
&url=https://fod.infobase.com/PortalPl
aylists.aspx?wID=273866&xtid=32706 The transcript for this
video can be found by clicking on “Transcript” in the gray bar
to the right of the video in the Films on Demand database. Unit
Lesson Philosophical Theories: Related to Ethical Decision-
Making Many theorists have concluded that several decision-
making models exist that focus on consistent norms and have
derived from society and individual impressions. The textbook
cites several sources that are prominent in this field, and lists
some of the well-known founders of these theories. Participants
that develop topics of public policy, such as social equity,
education, conflict resolution, or human rights, may base their
decisionmaking on the beliefs related to certain philosophies.
Utilitarianism: Approach Based on Consequences Based on
consequences, an action may be right or wrong. Jeremy
Bentham and John Steward Mills derived this theory that was
completely based on reason. The authors did not want their
theory based on religion or a particular societal level of norms.
More so, Utilitarianism wanted everyone to have access to a
thinking mind and is based off an idea of utility or usefulness.
An abbreviated summary of Bentham and Mills theory can be
summarized as “the greatest good, for the greatest number or
population.” We can assume that “good” means happiness or
pleasure for most people. Another concept closely related to
this outcome is efficacy, which implies the “least desired input

2. for greatest desired output.” Business and government usually
take this strategy for different reasons – mainly associated with
resources. If one thinks about successful business and
government practices, the decision-making effort outcomes
generally result in products and services that work best, cost
least, and last the longest. The consumer mindset also uses this
simple and natural buying process for decision-making. The
successful business leader uses this variable for short and long-
term investment decisions, and the public manager focuses on
successful public services, which utilizes public funding in a
prudent and wise fashion. Another public example is the
government buying process where services and products are
purchased though a competitive vetting process where needs,
values, and timely delivery are critical components of the
purchasing decision model. Efficacy also applies to students
who UNIT II STUDY GUIDE Established Philosophies
Affecting Public Ethics PUA 5302, Public Administration
Ethics 2 UNIT x STUDY GUIDE Title compare colleges that
provide the best benefits for the best dollar value, student
teacher ratio, or finding where friends attend. Utilitarianism is
the ideal ethical theory for democracy because the majority
decides what is best. Subjecting topics to a vote means that the
strongest side will win. Deontology: Decisions Based on
Principles Principled public administrators use the deontology
theory. The principles or rules referenced could derive from the
organization itself. These types of rules (or laws) could also be
interpreted as obligatory, thus public managers have to know
how to apply these sets of principles to actual scenarios.
Immanuel Kant, an 18th century German Philosopher, provided
a foundation for deontology that states, “one should act only as
if one were legislating a universal law for everyone to follow in
a preferred world.” Two overriding principles that Kant focuses
on are that mankind should not lie, and as a means to an end -
individuals should not be influenced unequally. Another well-
known philosopher, John Rawls (1985) wrote, “Justice is
Fairness.” In his writings, he stated that there are two

3. overriding principles that should provide justification for
rational calculations. Rawls summarized the following: First
Principle: Each person is to have an equal right to the most
extensive total system of equal basic liberty compatible with a
similar system of liberty for all. Second Principle: Social and
economic inequalities are to be arranged so that they are to the
greatest benefit of the least advantaged. (p. 223) Ontology: The
Study of Being The term, being, pertains to the public
administrator’s decision-making properties or references of
physical objects, classes of human beings, properties or
relations to objects, space and or time, or events. The study of
ontology pertains to groups and their relations with similar
entities. What concepts should public managers use when
making ethical decisions based on ontology? The answer
references and includes the state of affairs or relationships with
the properties previously stated. Epistemology: The Study of
Knowledge The method or process that is used for research is
defined from two distinct parameters. The first parameter is
positivism, meaning the purpose of research is performed for
scientific explanation. The technique utilizes deductive logic
(from previously known facts) and empirical observations; thus,
predicting human patterns. The second parameter is
interpretivism, where qualitative research is primarily used. The
primary research tools are observed by a participant’s
experiences and interactions with social systems and usually not
generalized to a population. Together, both research and
decision-making processes that encompass epistemology are not
curtailed by drawn boundaries. It is important to understand that
public administrators may or may not use boundaries to
interpret and make decisions based on constructed limitations.
In the real world, these limitations can be called reason or
common experience. Examples may include political or
religious beliefs. Should the public administrator view these
attitudes as restraints? Approaches to decision-making focus on
several variables that are committed to successful utility. These
include: obligations/duty (public servant fiduciary trust),

4. virtue (honesty and integrity), principles (rights of
individuals), and benefits to society (best for community). The
conclusions and examinations of decision-making theories are
not reviewed to confuse or muddy the waters of administrating,
but should broaden the perspectives and self-awareness of
ethical theories. One theory over another is certainly never the
ultimate answer when making public decisions. The hope is that
the administrator can gleam different ways of providing
possible resolutions after reviewing the pros and cons. Thus,
benefiting all stakeholders by promoting the very best
alternatives. References Martinez, J. M. (2009). Public
administration ethics for the 21st century. Santa Barbara, CA:
Praeger. PUA 5302, Public Administration Ethics 3 UNIT x
STUDY GUIDE Title Rawls, J. (1985). Justice as fairness:
political not metaphysical. Philosophy and Public Affairs,
14(2), 223-251 Suggested Unit Resources The book below
offers insight regarding the topics covered in the unit lesson:
Radin, B. A. (2002). The accountable juggler: The art of
leadership in a federal agency. Washington, DC: CQ Press. In
order to access the resource below, you must first log into the
myCSU Student Portal and access the Business Source
Complete database within the CSU Online Library. Svara, J. H.
(2001). The myth of the dichotomy: Complementary of politics
and administration in the past and future of public
administration. Public Administration Review, 61(2), 176-183