The American Review of Public Administration, Ahead of Print.
Despite considerable advancements in business and psychology, the incorporation of behavioral ethics into public administration has been notably limited. This article introduces the core principles of behavioral ethics and examines their implications for administrative ethics. While this approach has its challenges, behavioral ethics provides valuable insights into the behavioral dynamics that underlie ethical phenomena within public administration. It effectively complements normative research, enhancing our understanding of the micro-foundations of administrative ethics. Adopting a systematic, interdisciplinary, and culturally sensitive approach to behavioral ethics is crucial. This approach should utilize mixed methodologies and incorporate normative perspectives to thoroughly address the deep-seated questions at the core of administrative ethics.