Paper
General Studies IV
What this covers
GS IV studies ethical reasoning, attitude, aptitude, foundational public-service values, emotional intelligence, moral thinkers, probity and case studies. The task is to reason through a choice, not merely attach a virtue label to it.
Key ideas
- ethical concepts
- public-service values
- thinkers and applications
- case-study reasoning
Topics 9
- 01Ethical aptitude and case-study approachEthical aptitude links a public servant's disposition to act responsibly with the ability to reason through a concrete dilemma.5 subtopics
- 02Ethics human interface and valuesEthics examines reasons for judging and choosing actions in relationships with other people.5 subtopics
- 03AttitudeAn attitude is an evaluation directed toward an object, person or issue.5 subtopics
- 04Civil-service aptitude and foundational valuesCivil-service values help officials exercise entrusted authority fairly and competently.5 subtopics
- 05Emotional intelligenceEmotional intelligence concerns noticing and managing one's emotions and responding thoughtfully to others.4 subtopics
- 06Moral thinkers and philosophersMoral thinkers offer different tests for action: character and practical judgment, duties and respect, consequences, care or justice.4 subtopics
- 07Public-service values and administrative ethicsAdministrative ethics concerns the use of public authority within institutions.7 subtopics
- 08Probity in governanceProbity makes the exercise of public power honest, transparent, answerable and directed to public purpose.7 subtopics
- 09Ethics case studiesAn ethics case is a bounded decision problem, not a prompt for reciting every value.5 subtopics