We have discussed virtue ethics in an earlier chapter. We have also discussed individual virtues and vices earlier. So, we will only recall the discussion in brief for ready reference.
What are the virtues which civil servants should ideally possess? Before considering the answers which public administration theorists give to this question, we need to consider what the common virtues are. Although there are many virtues, these can be reduced to a few cardinal virtues or all the virtues can be subsumed within one or the other of the cardinal virtues. Aristotle mentioned four cardinal virtues–prudence, justice, fortitude and temperance.
Ancient thinkersbelievedthat if anyone of thecardinal virtues is fullydeveloped in an individual, it will also signal the presence of the other three. As a simple rule, civil servants should follow the cardinal virtues which subsume all virtues, and avoid bad actions.
Prudence
Prudence refers to the ability to discern the most suitable, politic, or profitable course of action in actual conduct; it also signifiespractical wisdom anddiscretion.
Civil service involves decision-making in public sphere. Civil servants are supposed to be men of practical affairs. They are in fairly regular contact with people. Civil servants have to deal with matters anonymously and discreetly. For all these reasons, prudence is an eminently desirable quality in civil servants.
Fortitude
Fortitudeis moralstrengthor moral courageinenduringpainor adversity.Fortitudeis oftenassociated with soldiers facing tough battle field situations. At times, men of conscience also put up with hardships while upholding principles. In the context of civil service, fortitude stands for less heroic but still important attitude of coping with work challenges and hostile situations over long periods.
Temperance
Temperance or moderation is especially important for public servants. It signifies the ability to control one’s anger, emotions and desires. It can be regarded as rational self restraint. But temperance can connote somewhat different behavioural characteristics. While taking decisions or responding to situations, civilservants have to be moderate.Theyshouldnotswing to extremes, but act judiciously in a balanced manner.
Justice
Justice is a generic conception. When we use the term ‘justice’, its meaning is often vague. We have to indicate its concrete content or what its exact meaning is. Even more restrictive terms like ‘social justice’ and ‘economic justice’ have to be clearly defined by indicating their particular aspects. To put it differently,standards or criteriaare necessary to definejust actions or policies.
Besides these cardinal virtues, medieval Christianity added three more–faith, charity and hope. Although these three virtues arose in a religious context, they are relevant to many situations in
ordinary life other than religious practice. Cardinal virtues do not explicitly mention beneficence or altruism. But they imply or presuppose that virtuous individual will show concern for others.
As opposed to cardinal virtues, one can think of the seven deadly sins or of grave moral weaknesses in more neutral terms. These are — pride, envy,sloth,intemperance, avarice, anger and lust. These are individual vices. Conduct which avoids these vices is often virtuous. Moral frailties are negative qualities which all persons, irrespective of their station in life, have to avoid. Obviously, this applies to public servants as well.