Abstract

This theory-based paper explores the ability of five ethics theories to explain, predict, and manage the unethical behavior of public employees. The theories discussed include: Naturalism Theory, Devil Theory, Pragmatism Theory, Emotive Theory, and Social View Theory. Emphasis is placed upon the theory’s ability to serve as a managerial strategy to control unethical behavior. Challenges regarding the implementation of these theories are also discussed. It is not the intention of this paper to suggest that one theory is inherently better than the other theories or that one of these theories is capable of serving in all organizational situations, but rather to inform the public practitioner as to the theoretical perspectives available so that he or she may choose the most appropriate theory according to the circumstances at hand, the employees involved, and the organization in question.