guiding individuals and organizations towards morally responsible behaviour.” Explain the key dimensions of ethics that influence human Dimensions of Ethics actions. Discuss how these dimensions shape ethical decision-making in
Idealism vs Pragmatic Realism: Uncompromising Principles vs Complex Realities
All UPSC Mains previous year questions mapped for Idealism vs Pragmatic Realism: Uncompromising Principles vs Complex Realities under Ethics and Moral Philosophy.
UPSC Mains Previous Year QuestionsShowing 18 PYQs
Some people feel that values keep changing with time and situation, while others strongly believe that there are certain Universal vs Relative universal and eternal human values. Give your perception in this regard with due justification.
One of the tests of integrity is complete refusal to be compromised. Explain with reference to a real life example. “In looking for people to hire, you look for three qualities:
We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.
“Great ambition is the passion of a great character. Those endowed with it may perform very good or very bad acts. All depends on the principles which direct them.” – Napoleon Bonaparte. Stating examples mention the rulers (i) who have harmed society and country, (ii) who worked for the
Discuss Mahatma Gandhi’s concept of seven sins. Max Weber said that it is not wise to apply to public
development of society and country. With regard to the morality of actions, one view is that means is of paramount importance and the other view is that the ends justify the means. Which view do you think is more appropriate? Justify your answer.
What does this quotations mean to you in the present context: “Falsehood takes the place of truth when it results in unblemished common good.”- Tirukkural.
”A system of morality which is based on relative emotional values is a mere illusion, a thoroughly vulgar conception which has nothing sound in it and nothing true.” – Socrates.
Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have the right to do and what is right to do.’-Potter Stewart .
“In law, a man is guilty when he violates the rights of others. In ethics, he is guilty if he only thinks of doing so.” – Immanuel Kant
What is meant by ‘crisis of conscience’? Narrate one incident in your life when you were faced with such a crisis and how you Crisis of Conscience resolved the same.
Law and ethics are considered to be the two tools for controlling human conduct so as to make it conducive to civilized social existence. (a) Discuss how they achieve this objective. (b) Giving examples, show how the two differ in their approaches.
“The true rule, in determining to embrace, or reject anything, is not whether it has any evil in it; but whether it has more evil than good. There are few things wholly evil or wholly good. Utilitarianism in Almost everything, especially of governmental policy, is an inseparable compound of the two; so that our best judgement of the preponderance between them is continually demanded. ”
Distinguish between laws and rules. Discuss the role of ethics in formulating them.
“The concept of Just and Unjust is contextual. What was just a year back, may turn out to be unjust in today’s context. Changing context should be constantly under scrutiny to prevent Contextual Justice miscarriage of justice.” Examine the above statement with suitable examples.
“It is not enough to talk about peace, one must believe in it; and it is not enough to believe in it, one must act upon it.” In the present context, the major weapon industries of the developed nations are adversely influencing continuation of number of wars for their own self-interest, all around the world. What are the ethical considerations of the powerful nations in today’s
programmes. According to many legal experts and the US Government, his action violated the Espionage act of 1971, which identified the leak of State secret as an act of treason. Yet, despite the fact that he broke the law, Snowden argued that he had a moral obligation to act. He gave a justification for his “whistle blowing” by stating that he had a duty “to inform the public as to that which is done in there name and that which is done against them.” According to Snowden, the Government’s violation of privacy had to be exposed regardless of legality since more substantive issues of social action and public morality were involved here. Many agreed with Snowden. Few argued that he broke the law and compromised national security, for which he should be held accountable. Do you agree that Snowden’s actions were ethically justified even if legally prohibited? Why or why not? Make an argument by weighing the competing values in this case
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