KOOP AS AN EXEMPLAR OF MORAL AND DEMOCRATIC DECISION-MAKING - AN AXIAL APPROACH TO ETHICAL THEORY

This study examines the problems addressed by Surgeon General C. Evere tt Koop in order to extract the virtues or values-the moral point of v iew-embedded in his actions. These are then compared to competing theo retical approaches in public administration ethics to determine the et hical frame of reference of Koop's decisions. The analysis reveals tha t Koop followed a personal ethic as well as a public service ethic. Th e authors argue that his approach not only makes democratic and moral deliberations possible but in fact defines them. The article concludes with a discussion of the implications of the findings for ethical the ory in public administration.