Final answer:
Yes, it is possible for an agent to follow the law and still violate an ethical rule as legal standards do not always encompass ethical principles. Ethical considerations often take into account societal impacts and moral integrity that legal codes might not cover, and this divergence creates possible scenarios where lawful actions could lead to ethically problematic outcomes.
Step-by-step explanation:
It is indeed possible for an agent to follow the law and still violate an ethical rule. Laws are the codified rules of a society, telling us what we can and cannot do, whereas ethics deal with what is morally right or wrong, which often extends beyond legal boundaries. Even when actions are legally permitted, they may still be ethically questionable, leading to what is known as an ethics problem. For example, professional norms or ethical codes may require higher standards than the law demands, creating situations where legal compliance isn't sufficient to avoid ethical violations.
A known issue in the realm of politics is how lobbyists interact with lawmakers. While state and federal laws may regulate these interactions, limiting certain behaviors such as campaign contributions or gifts, these boundaries don't necessarily address all ethical concerns. Complying with lobbying regulations doesn't guarantee that a lobbyist acts ethically, especially when considering broader societal impacts or issues of integrity and fairness.
Furthermore, in utilitarianism, an ethical theory, the focus is on the consequences rather than the intent behind actions. This means that if legal actions have harmful unintended consequences, they might still be deemed unethical. As such, the distinction between legality and morality is critical, especially when considering scenarios where obeying the law doesn't align with ethical principles. This distinction becomes particularly relevant when dealing with dilemmas, such as choosing between telling the truth and preventing harm, where legal guidance may be circumvented by ethical imperatives.