Visualizing Morality: Shifting Values and Social Responses in a Dutch Administrative Corruption Case
Moral choices are rarely made in a vacuum. They arise at the intersection of personal conviction and external circumstance, shaped by pressures of time, threat, or scarcity. When familiar moral frameworks begin to falter, values shift—sometimes subtly, sometimes with sudden force. What once appeared self-evident may be cast in doubt. Principles assumed to be firm reveal their elasticity under strain. The boundary between right and wrong becomes blurred when the ground of certainty gives way.
This study explores how individuals and institutions navigate such moral ambiguity, with a particular focus on the role of visual media in shaping perception and judgment. Using a case of administrative corruption in a Dutch municipality over the past decade, it examines how the suspect’s friends, social environment, the press, and the legal system responded to and represented the case. Visual sources—ranging from media images and televised interviews to courtroom footage and public documents—are central to this analysis. They are treated not merely as illustrations but as active agents in the construction and contestation of moral meaning.
By combining textual and visual analysis, this research aims to uncover how moral narratives are formed, transformed, and challenged when ethical certainty erodes—and how the act of seeing plays a pivotal role in how we judge what is right or wrong.
>> to be continued <<
Inhoudsopgave
1. Inleiding
1.1 Probleemstelling
1.2 Doel en Relevantie van het Onderzoek
1.3 Onderzoeksvragen
1.4 Methodologie
2. Theoretisch Kader
2.1 Moraal en Morele Filosofie
2.2 Corruptie: Definitie en Typologie
2.3 De Sociale Constructie van Goed en Kwaad
2.4 Morele Psychologie en Groepsdynamiek
3. Context en Casusbeschrijving
3.1 De Gemeente: Politieke en Bestuurlijke Structuur
3.2 De Casus: Chronologie van Gebeurtenissen
3.3 De Verdachte en Zijn Netwerk
4. Reacties en Percepties
4.1 Vrienden en Familie
4.2 De Publieke Opinie en Mediarepresentatie
4.3 Juridische Afhandeling en Institutionele Repons
5. Analyse: Navigeren in het Morele Doolhof
5.1 Verschuivende Waarden in Praktijk
5.2 Het Spanningsveld tussen Loyaliteit en Rechtvaardigheid
5.3 De Elasticiteit van Principes
6. Conclusie en Reflectie
6.1 Antwoorden op de Onderzoeksvragen
6.2 Theoretische Implicaties
6.3 Suggesties voor Verder Onderzoek
7. Literatuurlijst
8. Bijlagen
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
1.1 Problem Statement
1.2 Research Aims and Relevance
1.3 Research Questions
1.4 Methodology
2. Theoretical Framework
2.1 Morality and Moral Philosophy
2.2 Corruption: Definition and Typology
2.3 The Social Construction of Good and Evil
2.4 Moral Psychology and Group Dynamics
3. Context and Case Description
3.1 The Municipality: Political and Administrative Structure
3.2 The Case: Chronology of Events
3.3 The Suspect and His Network
4. Responses and Perceptions
4.1 Friends and Family
4.2 Public Opinion and Media Representation
4.3 Legal Proceedings and Institutional Response
5. Analysis: Navigating the Moral Labyrinth
5.1 Shifting Values in Practice
5.2 The Tension between Loyalty and Justice
5.3 The Elasticity of Principles
6. Conclusion and Reflection
6.1 Answers to the Research Questions
6.2 Theoretical Implications
6.3 Suggestions for Further Research
7. References
8.Appendices
James Coleman
(May 18, 1941 – April 25, 2023) was an Irish artist known for his conceptual video and installation art. His works often explore the interplay between time, memory, and perception, creating immersive experiences that challenge viewers' understanding of reality. Coleman's art was influential in pushing boundaries of the medium and engaging with complex philosophical ideas.
Herman Hertzberger
(b. July 6, 1932 – passed away April 18, 2023) focused on social interaction, flexibility, and human scale in his architecture. His designs create adaptable spaces that foster community, emphasizing context-sensitive environments that enhance how people live together.
Rem Koolhaas
(b. November 17, 1944) is known for his innovative and often unconventional approach to architecture. His designs challenge traditional forms and explore complex urban contexts, blending functionality with bold aesthetics. Koolhaas emphasizes the dynamic relationship between architecture, society, and the rapid evolution of cities.
Herman Diederik Tjeenk Willink
(b. 23 January 1942) is a former Labour Party politician and jurist. He holds the honorary title of Minister of State and served as President of the Senate and
Vice-President of the Council of State, advising Queen Beatrix.