INTERDISCIPLINARY APPROACHES TO
PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
Philosophical Approach
In the 20th century, the question of 'the philosophy of
administration received attention in the writing of Chester
Barnard in the United States, and Geoffrey Vichners in
England, followed by other writers like Cacheshott, Peters,
Simon, Thompson, Suppes, Leys, and Lessem. The first
treatise on the philosophy of administration, however, appeared
in 1958, written by Marshall E. Dimock, with its title "A
Philosophy of Administration: Towards Creative Growth”.
According to Marshell E. Dimock public administration
nowadays covers practically the whole of our life and activity
and so a philosophy of it is tantamount to a philosophy of life.
He points out half a dozen tests that the philosophy of public
administration should satisfy. In the first place, it must take
cognizance of all those elements which enter into
administrative action. Secondly, these elements must be
interconnected into an integrated whole, knit together by a
system of appropriate relationships. Thirdly, from those co-
relations, possibly some principles may emerge which may
guide action under similar conditions. Fourthly, while defining
the ends of administration is important, the devising of suitable
means to realize those ends is still more important.
The means must be in the spirit of, and in harmony with the
ends. No recourse to the philosophy of ends justifying means is
permissible. Fifthly, the philosophy of administration must be
something more than the science administration. This is to say,
it should not content itself with a mere description of the factual
, situations and of the skills or tools with the aid of which the
administrators can tackle them, but give us a glimpse of the
ultimates or fundamentals which impart meaning and purpose
to the complex of administrative activities. Sixthly and finally,
any system of administration should be judged by the extent
and depth of satisfaction it can give those whom it serves. This
implies that present-day public administration has to be
democratic in complexion.
Dimock defines philosophy as a body of beliefs and practices
aimed at achieving better performance, for individuals as well
as for institutions. He uses this term in the sense of principles
of human action and conduct which promote institutional vitality
and good life. According to Dimock, it is a moral philosophy that
integrates and balances the needs of men with those of
institutions and gives the latter durability. An organization seeks
to identify' social values with individuals' motives. As Peter
Drucker remarks the blending of institutional and individual
values becomes the ultimate principle in administration. This is
the realm of philosophy and ethics. This is also Dimock's realm
of creative growth' a blending of individual initiative with wisdom
in public policy.
Another comprehensive work on the philosophy of
administration is the book "Towards a philosophy of
administration" by Christopher Hodgkinson Prof. Hodgkinson's
interest in philosophy for administration stems from the fact that
administration pervades human life and behaviour and affects
the quality of life. Therefore, he sees in administration a need
for individual character and wisdom much more than the
application of the techniques or cleverness.
Besides, administration and politics are not so distinct and
watertight in practice as to make administration value-free. He
sees in philosophy a cure for the pathology of administration,
thus having a significant hearing on the quality of life. N. R.
PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
Philosophical Approach
In the 20th century, the question of 'the philosophy of
administration received attention in the writing of Chester
Barnard in the United States, and Geoffrey Vichners in
England, followed by other writers like Cacheshott, Peters,
Simon, Thompson, Suppes, Leys, and Lessem. The first
treatise on the philosophy of administration, however, appeared
in 1958, written by Marshall E. Dimock, with its title "A
Philosophy of Administration: Towards Creative Growth”.
According to Marshell E. Dimock public administration
nowadays covers practically the whole of our life and activity
and so a philosophy of it is tantamount to a philosophy of life.
He points out half a dozen tests that the philosophy of public
administration should satisfy. In the first place, it must take
cognizance of all those elements which enter into
administrative action. Secondly, these elements must be
interconnected into an integrated whole, knit together by a
system of appropriate relationships. Thirdly, from those co-
relations, possibly some principles may emerge which may
guide action under similar conditions. Fourthly, while defining
the ends of administration is important, the devising of suitable
means to realize those ends is still more important.
The means must be in the spirit of, and in harmony with the
ends. No recourse to the philosophy of ends justifying means is
permissible. Fifthly, the philosophy of administration must be
something more than the science administration. This is to say,
it should not content itself with a mere description of the factual
, situations and of the skills or tools with the aid of which the
administrators can tackle them, but give us a glimpse of the
ultimates or fundamentals which impart meaning and purpose
to the complex of administrative activities. Sixthly and finally,
any system of administration should be judged by the extent
and depth of satisfaction it can give those whom it serves. This
implies that present-day public administration has to be
democratic in complexion.
Dimock defines philosophy as a body of beliefs and practices
aimed at achieving better performance, for individuals as well
as for institutions. He uses this term in the sense of principles
of human action and conduct which promote institutional vitality
and good life. According to Dimock, it is a moral philosophy that
integrates and balances the needs of men with those of
institutions and gives the latter durability. An organization seeks
to identify' social values with individuals' motives. As Peter
Drucker remarks the blending of institutional and individual
values becomes the ultimate principle in administration. This is
the realm of philosophy and ethics. This is also Dimock's realm
of creative growth' a blending of individual initiative with wisdom
in public policy.
Another comprehensive work on the philosophy of
administration is the book "Towards a philosophy of
administration" by Christopher Hodgkinson Prof. Hodgkinson's
interest in philosophy for administration stems from the fact that
administration pervades human life and behaviour and affects
the quality of life. Therefore, he sees in administration a need
for individual character and wisdom much more than the
application of the techniques or cleverness.
Besides, administration and politics are not so distinct and
watertight in practice as to make administration value-free. He
sees in philosophy a cure for the pathology of administration,
thus having a significant hearing on the quality of life. N. R.
