An Aesthetic Theory of Conflict in Administrative Ethics

Abstract

Normally, one would think of conflict in administrative ethics as something to be avoided or resolved. This article, however, explores the possibility that conflict in ethics is essential and productive. Great art is beautiful precisely because of tension, not in spite of it, and the authors argue that administrative ethics is more like art than science. Therefore, the authors adopt an aesthetic point of view that examines tension and balance and reveals a wide range of types of conflict in ethics. In fact, the authors articulate 15 types of conflict and argue that the recognition of conflict is necessary for its proper management.