ABSTRACT
Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have a right to do and what is right to do.
Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart Stewart 2014
Ethics is grounded in esoteric disciplines such as religion and philosophy yet at the same time it purports to delineate specific ground rules for behavior within public institutions. Although the contours of ethical behavior have been debated from time immemorial, disagreements over right or wrong behavior are omnipresent. This book will explore underlying themes of ethical behavior derived from philosophy and religion, examine organizational contexts, review options facing individuals who personally dissent from their organizations, and identify exemplars of ethical behavior. The intent of the book is to underscore the role of organizational context and mission on perceptions of ethical behavior. Mission is viewed as paramount in defining the options and constraints placed on public sector employees. Case studies provide detailed examples of individuals who pursued their visions of ethical public service. Through the montage of individual cases, outlines of laudatory and loathed behavior are revealed.
