sudhirpratapyadav / upsc_ethics_gs4

UPSC GS4 ETHICS notes with examples

General Studies- IV: Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude

Syllabus

• This paper will include questions to test the candidates’ attitude and approach to issues relating to integrity, probity in public life and his problem solving approach to various issues and conflicts faced by him in dealing with society. Questions may utilise the case study approach to determine these aspects.
• Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in-human actions; dimensions of ethics; ethics - in private and public relationships. Human Values - lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators; role of family society and educational institutions in inculcating values.
• Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behaviour; moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion.
• Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service, integrity, impartiality and non-partisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance and compassion towards the weaker-sections.
• Emotional intelligence-concepts, and their utilities and application in administration and governance.
• Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world.
• Public/Civil service values and Ethics in Public administration: Status and problems; ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions; laws, rules, regulations and conscience as sources of ethical guidance; accountability and ethical governance; strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance; ethical issues in international relations and funding; corporate governance.
• Probity in Governance: Concept of public service; Philosophical basis of governance and probity; Information sharing and transparency in government, Right to Information, Codes of Ethics, Codes of Conduct, Citizen’s Charters, Work culture, Quality of service delivery, Utilization of public funds, challenges of corruption.
• Case Studies on above issues

Syllabus Divided into topics

1. Ethics and Human Interface
   1. Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in-human actions
   2. dimensions of ethics
   3. ethics - in private and public relationships
   4. Human Values - lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders reformers and administrators
   5. role of family society and educational institutions in inculcating values
2. Attitude
   1. content, structure, function
   2. its influence and relation with thought and behaviour
   3. moral and political attitudes
   4. social influence and persuasion
3. Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service
   1. integrity, impartiality and non-partisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance and compassion towards the weaker-sections
4. Emotional Intelligence
   1. concepts, and their utilities and application in administration and governance
5. Moral Thinkers and Philosophers
   1. India and world
6. Public/Civil service values and Ethics in Public administration
   1. Status and problems
   2. ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions
   3. laws, rules, regulations and conscience as sources of ethical guidance
   4. accountability and ethical governance
   5. strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance
   6. ethical issues in international relations and funding
   7. corporate governance.
7. Probity in Governance
   1. Concept of public service
   2. Philosophical basis of governance and probity
   3. Information sharing and transparency in government, Right to Information, Codes of Ethics, Codes of Conduct, Citizen’s Charters, Work culture, Quality of service delivery, Utilization of public funds, challenges of corruption.
8. Case Studies

Chapter 0: Ethics Moral Quotes

Ethics, Values and Morals

• "Knowledge is Virtue and Knowledge promotes Virtue." -- Socrates
• "When men are pure, laws are useless; when men are corrupt, laws are broken." — Benjamin Disraeli
• “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
• "The heart is a very good fertilizer - anything we plant - love, hate, fear, hope, revenge, jealousy - surely grows and bears fruit. We have to decide what to harvest." -- Swami Vivekanand
• Action indeed is the sole medium of expression for ethics. -- Jane Addams
• Morality may consist solely in the courage of making a choice. -- Leon Blum
• Every man, in his own opinion, forms an exception to the ordinary rules of morality. -- William Hazlitt
• Ordinary morality is innate in my view. -- Christopher Hitchens
• Morality is not the doctrine of how we may make ourselves happy, but how we may make ourselves worthy of happiness. --Immanuel Kant
• Morality is not just any old topic in psychology but close to our conception of the meaning of life. Moral goodness is what gives each of us the sense that we are worthy human beings. -- Steven Pinker
• Taste is the only morality. Tell me what you like and I’ll tell you what you are. -- John Ruskin
• Ethics is in origin the art of recommending to others the sacrifices required for cooperation with oneself. -- Bertrand Russell
• The first step in the evolution of ethics is a sense of solidarity with other human beings. -- Albert Schweitzer
• Ethics is nothing else than reverence for life. -- Albert Schweitzer
• Compassion is the basis of morality. -- Arthur Schopenhauer
• A system of morality that is based on relative emotional values is a mere illusion, a thoroughly vulgar conception that has nothing sound in it and nothing true. -- Socrates (MORAL RELATIVITY)
• Morality is only moral when it is voluntary. -- Lincoln Steffens
• The rules of morality are not the conclusion of our reason. -- David Hume
• History shows that where ethics and economics come in conflict, victory is always with economics. Vested interests have never been known to have willingly divested themselves unless there was sufficient force to compel them. -- B. R. Ambedkar
• The science of morality is about maximizing psychological and social health. It’s really no more inflammatory than that. -- Sam Harris
• The stirrings of morality emerge early in childhood. Toddlers spontaneously offer toys and help to others and try to comfort people they see in distress. -- Steven Pinker
• A people and their religion must be judged by social standards based on social ethics. No other standard would have any meaning if religion is held to be a necessary good for the well-being of the people. -- B. R. Ambedkar
• Religion without morality is a superstition and a curse, and morality without religion is impossible. -- Mark Hopkins
• Teach a child what is wise, that is morality. Teach him what is wise and beautiful, that is religion! -- Thomas Huxley

Education

• “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” ―Nelson Mandela
• “By education I mean an all-round drawing out of the best in child and man-body, mind and spirit. Literacy is not the end of education or even the beginning.” – M. K. Gandhi
• “Real knowledge is to know the extent of one’s ignorance.” -- Confucius
• “Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make man a cleverer devil.” ― C.S. Lewis

Character

• “In times to come people will not judge us by the creed we profess or the label we wear or the slogans we shout, but, by our work, industry, sacrifice, honesty and purity of character.” — Mahatma Gandhi
• “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power.” — Abraham Lincoln
• “Always do right. This will gratify some people, and astonish the rest.” -- Mark Twain
• "The great hope of society is individual character." -- William Ellery Channing

Conscience

• Conscience is a man's compass.” -- Vincent van Gogh
• “Never do anything against conscience even if the state demands it.” -- Albert Einstein
• “There is no witness so terrible and no accuser so powerful as conscience which dwells within us.” -- Sophocles

Integrity

• "Real integrity is doing the right thing, knowing that nobody's going to know whether you did it or not." -- Oprah Winfrey

Justice

• "The time is always right to do what is right." -- Martin Luther King
• "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." -- Martin Luther King
• “A right delayed is a right denied.” -- Martin Luther King

Love

• "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." -- Martin Luther King

Chapter 1: Ethics and Human Interface

Syllabus

1. Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in-human actions
2. dimensions of ethics
3. ethics - in private and public relationships
4. Human Values - lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders reformers and administrators
5. role of family society and educational institutions in inculcating values

• Essence of Ethics

  • It means an essential part and unchanging nature of a thing or person, a vital part of some idea or immaterial entity, or the predominant qualities or central meaning of someone or something.
  • Basically, Ethics is elaborated as the systematic study of human actions from the perspective of their rightfulness or wrongfulness, as means for the attainment of the definitive happiness.
  • Ethics is a set of principles that society places on itself and which helps guide behaviour, choices and actions.

• Determinants of Ethics in Human Actions

  • These are the factors that determine or shape the ethical standards in an individual and society.
    • Family, Media, Constitution and legal provisions, Experiences in life, International events, Leaders, philosophers and thinkers
  • This is the factors in human behaviour that determine whether it is good or bad. There are three such determinants of ethics, namely the object, the end, and the circumstances.

• Consequence of Ethics in Human Actions

  • Only those actions which satisfy the following parameters could be analyzed from an ethical standpoint (A view by St Thomas Aquinas).
    1. Involvement of knowledge.
    2. Voluntariness
    3. Free will

• Dimensions/Branches of Ethics

  • Descriptive Ethics
  • Normative Ethics
  • Meta-Ethics
  • Applied Ethics

• Ethics in Private Relationships

• Ethics in Public Relationships

Human Values - lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders reformers and administrators

Truth

• Quotes
  • Satyamev Jayate (सत्यमेव जयते) - Truth alone triumphs -- Mundaka Upanishad
    • It does not means truth wins, focus on word alone, it means only truth wins nothing else
  • Even if you are a minority of one, the truth is the truth -- Mahatma Gandhi
• Def - Something which does not depend on personal point of view but is objective fact
  • thus as in quote even if truth is in minority it is still truth
• Examples
  • Civil (compulsory)
    • T. V. Anupama (2010 batch IAS officer), She single-handedly made Kerala adulteration-free in just a few years, Kerala imported 70% of its vegetables now produce 70% of its vegetables due to her crackdown on Food Safety Standards
  • Mahabharat, Kuran, Bible, Geeta etc
    • Story of Raja Harischandra from Markandeya Purana, The King who is epitome of Truth and virtuHarishchandra gave away his kingdom, sold his family and agreed to be a slave – all to fulfil a promise he had made to the sage Vishwamitra, who came to test his truthfulness and commitment.
• Conclusion
  • if want a little balanced conclusion - The truth may be bitter, but it doesn’t have to be told bitterly

Love

• Quote
  • "पोथी पढ़ि पढ़ि जग मुआ, पंडित भया न कोय, ढाई आखर प्रेम का, पढ़े सो पंडित होय।" - Sant kabir
  • "Don't forget love; it will bring you all the madness you need to unfurl yourself across the universe." -- Meerabai
• Def
  • Love is not a matter of choice, if it is real, it would be compulsion.
• Examples
  • Love should not be limited to one person but to all.

Peace

• Quote
  • "Peace is not the highest goal in life. It is the most fundamental requirement." -- Sadhguru
  • “Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.” -- Buddha
• Examples
  • Women, National, International
    • Malala Yousafzai - the youngest Nobel Peace Prize winner in history,
      • A young girl who fought against orthodox authorities to claim her rights and of millions of other young girls in her country.
      • In 2009 Taliban issued a decree banning education of all girls.As a 17-year-old Malala returned from school, gunmen stopped her vehicle. There were other girls inside. Malala was shot in the neck and head.
      • Her attack led to a letter from the United Nations to the Pakistani government, urging to restore education for girls.
• Constitution
  • Directive Principles - Article 51 - Promotion of international peace and security
• Conclusion
  • “I truly believe the only way we can create global peace is through not only educating our minds, but our hearts and our souls.” -- Malala Yousafzai

Responsibility and Duty

• Quote
  • "You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today." -- Abraham Lincoln
  • "Responsibility is the price of freedom." — Elbert Hubbard
  • "रघुकुल रीत सदा चली आई, प्राण जाए पर वचन न जाई" -- Ramayan
    • Take responsibility for your actions and promises
• Def
  • Responsibility is accepting that you are the cause & the solution of the matter.
• Examples
  • Ramayan
    • Shri Ram who gave duty the first place his entire life. His life takes a turn in just one night, wherein the day when he was to be crowned the king, becomes the day of his departure for exile. But, he does not get carried away by sorrow and believes it is his duty to uphold his father’s promise and keep up his honour.
    • When Bharat is adamant that Shri Ram should return back to Ayodhya, Shri Ram reminds Bharat his responsibility to keep up the word of their departed father and stand on the promise given to him, as the value of keeping up a promise is the most important virtue of life.
    • Shri Ram motivates Bharat reminding him that getting carried away by emotions of grief is the act of a loser, but standing up to the hardships and fulfilling the responsibilities is the trait of a winner.
    • A person, who feels responsible towards his loved ones, puts aside his own joys and sorrows and strives for the happiness of his dear ones and also the society.
• Constitution
  • Part IV-A - Fundamental Duties - It is all about being a responsible citizen
• Conclusion
  • Shri Ram reminds that duty is not a compulsion, but a trait of a true person. It is not a rule of imposing, but a virtue which is bound by love and affection and hence feeling responsible towards Dharma.

Justice

• Quote
  • "Stand up firmly for justice, as a witness to God, even as against yourselves or your parents or your kin, and whether it be against rich or poor" -- Quran (Surah 4:135)
    • Meaning justice is for all. Everyone should put justice first, even before their family.
  • "Justice in the life and conduct of the State is possible only as first it resides in the hearts and souls of the citizens." -- Plato
    • meaning justice starts from citizens and move towards states as opposed to current top-down view where Justice starts from state and trickle down to people via Judiciary.
• Definition
  • Arthsashtra
    • “A King who administers justice in accordance with ‘dharma’, evidence, customs, and written law will be able to conquer whole world” -- Arthsashtra, Kautilya
    • Kautilya prescribe that any matter of dispute shall be judged according to four bases of justice. These from most to least important are:
      • Dharma - which is based on truth
      • Evidence - which is based on witnesses
      • Custom - tradition accepted by the people
      • Royal Edicts - law as promulgated.
  • Manusmriti
    • If one conducts a theft willingly and in full senses knowing the implications, he should be penalized 8 times that of ordinary thief if he is a Shudra. The penalty should be 16 times if he is a Vaishya, 32 times if he is a Kshatriya and 64 times if he is a Brahmin. The punishment can be even 100 times or 128 times if he is a Brahmin. In other words, the punishment should be directly proportional to knowledge and social status of the criminal.
    • Thus contrary to popular perceptions, The concept of immunity to MPs and Judges from impeachment and legal framework is against Manu Smriti.
• Conclusion
  • Justice that love gives is a surrender, justice that law gives is a punishment. -- Mahatma Gandhi
    • Similar to Plato, focus on heart rather than law

Role of family, society and educational institutions in inculcating values

Role of Family

• Quote
  • “There is no doubt that it is around the family and the home that all the greatest virtues, the most dominating virtues of human, are created, strengthened and maintained.” ― Winston S. Churchill
• Examples
  • Mahabharat
    • Pandavas vs Kauravs - From childhood both Pandavs and Kauravs shared almost similar environment from home to school. They were taught by same gurus, mainly Dronacharya. Both were given similar facilities. Thus they were equally talented and skilled in all sphere's of life, but both developed opposite characters. Pandavas stood for dharma, while Kauravas for Adharma. This contrast of moral values is directly attributed to their parents.
    • Dhritarashtra jealousy, and Shakuni's deviousness directly transferred to Duryodhan who grew up observing both of them.
• Conclusion
  • "Children learn more from what you ARE than what you TEACH." -- W. E. B. DuBois
    • Family environment is more important then words said by parents.
  • Thus, It is rightly said that family is the first school of any child.

Role of Society

• Quotes
  • "The society must be better than the individual." -- Governor Mike Morris
  • "We must reform society before we can reform ourselves." -- George Bernard Shaw.
  • "Neither the life of an individual nor the history of a society can be understood without understanding both." -- C. Wright Mills.
  • "All that is valuable in human society depends upon the opportunity for development accorded the individual." -- Albert Einstein.

Role of educational Institutions

• Quotes
  • “With guns you can kill terrorists, With education you can kill terrorism.” -- Malala Yousafzai
  • "An education which does not teach us to discriminate between good and bad, to assimilate the one and eschew the other, is a misnomer." -- Mahatma Gandhi
• Conclusion
  • "We want the education by which character is formed, strength of mind is increased, the intellect is expanded, and by which one can stand on one's own feet." -- Swami Vivekananda

Chapter 2: Attitude

Syllabus

1. content, structure, function
2. its influence and relation with thought and behaviour
3. moral and political attitudes
4. social influence and persuasion

Content, Structure and Function

• Components of Attitude
  • Cognitive - beliefs, thoughts and attribute - towards object
  • Affective - feelings, emotions - towards object
  • Behavioural - predisposition to act in certain manner
• Explicit vs Implicit
  • Explicit - Conscious cognition, person is aware of his attitude. Depends on recent events, deliberate thinking
  • Implicit - Past experiences, unconscious cognition, depends on culture
• Formation
• Structure
  • Strength - some attitudes are strong and central, some are weak
  • Accessibility - ease of access from memory - more accessible more predictable of behaviour
  • Ambivalence - mixed feelings positive as well as negative
• Functions
  • Utilitarian - positive toward useful objects, negative towards harmful/not-useful
  • Ego-defensive - protect us from harsh realities
  • Value Expression - self image, who we are
  • Social Identity - align towards our social identity

Influence and relation with Thoughts and Behaviour

• Quotes
  • "It is our attitude at the beginning of a difficult task which, more than anything else, will affect its successful outcome." — William James
  • Attitude is defined as tendencies to behave in certain ways in social situations.
  • Self-awareness: If a person is not aware of his attitudes, attitude will influence the behaviour more intensely. But, if a person is aware of his attitudes, he may be conscious of it and try to hide his behaviour.

Moral and Political Attitudes

• Moral Attitude

  • Moral attitude is neither permanent nor universal.
  • Positive Implications - Motivates a person towards Altruism, volunteerism, social service
  • Negative Implications - Since moral attitude is tied with strong emotions, people don’t get along with those who don’t share their moral attitude. Ex. Intolerance

• Political Attitude

  • It refers to the attitude of a person or group towards persons/institutions/events/issues related to political ideology.

Social Influence and persuasion

• Main point is attitude can be changed

Chapter 3: Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service

integrity

• Quote
  • Sheelam pradhanam purushe (The most important thing, the worthiest thing, in a man is integrity) -- Mahabharat
  • “One person of integrity can make a difference.” ― Elie Wiesel
  • "In looking for people to hire, you look for three qualities: integrity, intelligence, and energy. And if you don’t have the first, the other two will kill you." ― Warren Buffett
• Def
  • Integrity is the practice of being honest and showing a consistent and uncompromising adherence to strong moral and ethical principles and values.
• Examples
  • Civil
    • Rashmi V Mahesh - Karnatka Cadre IAS officer fighting relentlessly against corrupt education system. She conducted probe against Administrative Training Institute of Mysore and found irregularities worth Rs. 100Cr. She also investigates seats allocation for Medical and Engineering Colleges. She has been transferred 20 times in 18 years.

Humility

• Quote
  • “Humility is the solid foundation of all virtues.” — Confucius
  • "Bura jo dekhan main chala, bura naa milya koye, Jo mann khoja aapna, toh mujhse bura naa koye" - Sant Kabir
    • Humility arises when person is able to see his own flaws clearly and thus becomes humble by understanding that other people are also in same situation.
  • Kabir nave so aap ko, par ko nave na koye (Kabir if someone becomes humble, it is for oneself and not for anyone else) -- Sant Kabir
• Definition
  • Pride is concerned with who is right. Humility is concerned with what is right. -- Ezra Taft Benson
  • “Humility is not denying your strengths, humility is being honest about your weaknesses.” — Rick Warrens
• Examples
  • APJ Abdul Kalam - his full life is a lesson in humility. From his birth in a poor family, sold newspaper to support his family.
    • When Dr. Kalam first moved to Rashtrapati Bhawan, he asked all luxurious rooms to be locked up as he didn’t want to use them.
    • At the time of death, Kalam sir owned 6 pants, 4 shirts, 3 suits, Around 2500 books, many awards and a place in heart of every Indian. He had even donated the last 8 years' pension towards the development of his village.

Tolerance

• Quote
  • Tolerance is the only thing that will enable persons belonging to different religions to live as good neighbours and friends.” -- Mahatma Gandhi
  • “The Highest Result of Education is Tolerance.” – Helen Keller
  • "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" (The World Is One Family) -- Maha Upanishad
• Examples
  • Recent
    • Human chains formed by Muslims to protect Hindu Temple.
    • Sikh people made food for muslims during CAA
    • Temple & mosque panels unite to raise fund for cancer patient in Kerala
  • Women, National, International
  • Civil
  • Ancient India
    • Kanishka, Buddhist king of India (1st–2nd Cent.) led the politics of tolerance towards all religions. On coins minted at the time of Kanishka one can find Buddha, the gods of Brahmanism, Zoroastrianism and of Greek religion.

Empathy and compassion towards the weaker-sections

• Quote
  • "Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive" -- Dalai Lama
  • "No human heart is denied empathy. No religion can demolish that by indoctrination. No culture, no nation and nationalism – nothing can touch it because it is empathy." -- Swami Dayananda Saraswati
• Examples
  • Women, National, International
    • To me, God and compassion are one and the same. Compassion is the joy of sharing. It’s doing small things for the love of each other-just a smile, or carrying a bucket of water, or showing some simple kindness. These are the small things that make up compassion. -- Mother Teresa
  • Civil
    • S.R. Sankaran -  former IAS officer was commonly known as an ideal people’s IAS officer.
      • Man behind the abolition of bonded labour, the creation of the special component plan for SCs & STs and the assigning of resources for marginalised communities in the rural development programmes.
      • He remained unmarried so that he could serve the society and also contributed to the education of over 500 poor students.
  • Quran
    • Zakat, a toll tax, has been made obligatory on all believing Muslims, men or women to help weaker sections.
    • The Quran says, “(Zakat) charity is only for the poor and the needy and those employed to administer it, and those whose hearts are made to incline, and (to free) the captives, and those in debt, and in the way of Allah and for the wayfarer an ordinance from Allah. And Allah is Knowing, Wise.”
  • Geeta
    • Gita wisdom explains that the best way to become good is to become godly.
    • The Bhagavad-gita states that compassion for all living beings is the first among the defining qualities of devotees. All living beings – humans, animals and plants – are precious members of the one divine family.

impartiality, non-partisanship, Neutrality and objectivity

• Quote
  • 'Impartiality is not neutrality. It is partiality for justice.' -- Stanislaw Jerzy Lec
• Def
  • Impartiality is a principle of justice holding that decisions should be based on objective criteria, rather than on the basis of bias, prejudice, or preferring the benefit to one person over another for improper reasons.
  • Neutrality Definition
    • Serve different regimes/parties with same enthusiasm.
    • Stay away from political affiliations
    • Political impartially is neutrality.
• Examples
  • Women, National, International
    • Mahatma Gandhi is epitome of impartiality, being a Hindu himself, he never had prejudice against Muslims and never biased towards his own identity. He was the one who brought Muslims and Hindu working together during Khilafat movement. Muslims used to trust Mahatma Gandhi even him being a Hindu.
  • Civil
  • Geeta, Mahabhara, Quran etc
    • Vidur The most Impartial Character of Mahabharata. Even though he was serving Kauravas, he took the stand for the just from Cheerharan to choosing not to fight against the Pandavas.

Anonymity

• Quotes
  • PM Modi compared the civil services to the fourth lion of the Ashoka emblem, which remains invisible yet makes its presence felt at all times.
• Definition
  • Bureaucrat is supposed to work behind the curtain and avoid media limelight and public gaze.
  • He’ll not get credit for the success and he’ll not be blamed for the failure. It’ll be responsibility of the political executive to handle all the applaud and criticism.
• Example
  • Mundhra deal scam (1957): Chagla commission held that Minister T.T.Krishnamachari is constitutionally responsible for the actions of his secretary (H.M.Patel)- he can’t take shelter behind them or disown reasonability.” Consequently, Minister resigned.
• Vindication of official acts: Suppose public/press has made some remarks against him for his official conduct. He cannot file defamation suit against them or make press statements, without government permission.

Accountability

• Quotes
  • "It is not only what we do, but also what we do not do, for which we are accountable." ― Moliere
  • "It is wrong and immoral to seek to escape the consequences of one's acts." ― Mahatma Gandhi
  • "On good teams coaches hold players accountable, on great teams players hold players accountable." ― Joe Dumars
  • "Good men are bound by conscience and liberated by accountability." ― Wes Fessler
• Definition
  • Accountability means to take ownership of the outcomes of an action and address the issues arising out of it fairly and promptly.
• Examples
  • For instance a clear example of accountability shown by public servant, is when VikramSarabai accepted the failure of ISRO first mission without actually putting it on the mission head (APJ Abdul Kalam). It also includes accountability to public funds, accountability to rule of law etc.

dedication to public service

• Quote
  • “Devotion to duty is the highest form of worship of God.” — Swami Vivekananda
  • “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” -- Mahatama Gandhi
  • "कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन" (Karmanye Vadhikaraste Ma Phaleshou Kada Chana) - You have a right to perform your prescribed duty, but you are not entitled to the fruits of actions.
• Examples
  • Civil
    • Divya Devarajan (2010-batch IAS officer) - She gained proficiency in the language of tribals in order to address the tribal conflict of 2017 (Telangana). On realising that she could speak their language, the tribals welcomed her and soon she became their favourite and put in great efforts towards resolving the conflict in the region.
    • Very few people on high posts learn the language of common people to solve their problems.
• Conclusion
  • Life has all its share of emotions of happiness and sorrow and man bounds to them as a part of his life. But of all the above, there is one important aspect which man needs to be bounded and that is the call of duty. Duty is the most important aspect which defines the role of man in abiding himself to Dharma.
  • Shri Ram reminds that duty always comes first

Chapter 4: Emotional Intelligence

Syllabus

1. concepts, and their utilities and application in administration and governance

Definition, Quotes and Examples

• Definition - Emotional intelligence or EI is the ability to understand and manage your own emotions, and those of the people around you
• "Our emotions have a mind of their own, one which can hold views quite independently of our rational mind." -- Daniel Goleman
• “It is very important to understand that emotional intelligence is not the opposite of Intelligence, it is not the triumph of heart over head. It is the unique intersection of both.” -- David Caruso
• Examples
  • Krishna showed great EI while understanding and managing the emotions of Arjuna to make him follow path of Dharma even in state of emotional weakness.

Chapter 5: Moral Thinkers and Philosophers

Syllabus

1. India and world

Chapter 6: Public/Civil service values and Ethics in Public administration

Syllabus

1. Status and problems
2. ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions
3. laws, rules, regulations and conscience as sources of ethical guidance
4. accountability and ethical governance
5. strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance
6. ethical issues in international relations and funding
7. corporate governance.

Philosophies of Public Interest

• Intuionist Philosophy
• Perfectionism
• Utilaterianism
• Justice
• Human Rights
• Egalitarianism

Ethical Dilemmas

International Ethics Issues

• High Seas
• Climate Change
• Outer Space
• IPR

Corporate Governance

Chapter 7: Probity in Governance

Syllabus

1. Concept of public service
2. Philosophical basis of governance and probity
3. Information sharing and transparency in government, Right to Information, Codes of Ethics, Codes of Conduct, Citizen’s Charters, Work culture, Quality of service delivery, Utilization of public funds, challenges of corruption.

Public Service

• Different Interpretations
  • Utility Services - Electricity, Healthcare, Education etc
    • Success - Availability, Accessiblity, Affordability of these services
  • all public functionaries - army, judiciary, executive

Probity

• Definition - Evidence of ethical behaviour in a particular process
  • Probity = integrity + uprightness + honesty
  • It is more than just avoiding corruption
• Probity in Governance
  • Apart from traditional civil service values like efficiency, integrity, accountability and patriotism
  • Ethical and moral values are also important
• Philosophical basis of Governance and Probity
  • Indian - almost all scriptures and treaties - Ramayana, Mahabharata, Manusmriti, Hitopadesh etc
  • Chinese - Lao Tse, Confucius, Mencius
    • Western
      • Aristotle - virtues are beneficial for individual as well society
      • Immanuel Kant - Duty is central to morality
      • Utilitarian - Greatest happiness to the greatest number
  • Max Weber - Members of administration should be completely separated from ownership of means of production and administration.

Conflict of Interest

Importance of civil service

RTI and Transparency

Codes of Conduct

Citizens's Charter

Work culture

Corruption

Chapter 8: Case Studies

Points to keep in mind

• Mark Keywords -> Don’t leave any aspect untouched -> attempt/write about all angles/aspects/keywords
  • This is most important point, read question very carefully and mark important words
• Write from Leaders point of view -> always give rational/practical but ALSO ETHICAL SOLUTION
• Approaches – ethical flavor – not GS answer
  • Stakeholder approach
    • Identify all possible stakeholders and then give answer keeping all in mind, list points stakeholder wise
  • Ethical-dilemma’s approach
    • Identify Ethical-Dilemmas present in case study and then resolve each dillema
  • Hybrid - mix above two approaches
• Don’t give general answers -> ‘I will maintain transparency & accountability’, ‘I will be honest’ etc. -> How? be specific -> provide solution on ground
• Empathy -> not only towards public but towards colleagues/juniors/seniors too
  • Usually while writing answer we only think about what is best for public, this point is to remind you that keep holistic view public is just one stakeholder
• Example from real life

Check this link for more details on above points

• https://becomingias.com/upsc-ethics-case-studies-super-simplified/
• Practice few questions specifically keeping this template in front of table - don't try to learn instantly - keep it in front and try to follow it - later do without this template

Chapter 9: Governance Models of India and West

Arthashastra (composed between 3rd-2nd Century, Kautilya/Chanakya)

• The Arthashastra is a primeval Indian discourse on statecraft, economic policy and military strategy.
  • It includes topics like statecraft, politics, strategy, selection and training of employees, leadership skills, legal systems, accounting systems, taxation, fiscal policies, civil rules, internal and foreign trade etc.
• Arthashastra entails the science (sastra) of wealth/earth/polity (artha).
• Arthashastra backs rational ethic to the conduct of the affairs of the state. The emphasis is on systematisation of law and uniformity of law throughout the empire.
• Concept of Welfare State
  • Welfare in all areas. not just human well being, but also about animal welfare.
  • according to Kautilya, King is "ever engaged in advancing the welfare of the people and who endears himself by benefiting the public and doing right to them."
• Saptang Model (Elements of State)
  • 
  • Modern Relations
    1. King or Swami -- PM
    2. Minister or Amatya -- COM
    3. Territory or Janapada -- Participatory Janpada (Panchayat)
    4. Fort or Durga -- Infrastructure (defence Infra)
    5. Treasury or Kosha -- Finance
    6. Punishment or Danda -- Judiciary
    7. Allies or Mitra -- Foreign Policy
• According to Kautilya, good governance consisted of three basic elements:
  • (1) Provision of national security and public infrastructure, such as roads to facilitate and promote commerce
  • (2) Formulation of efficient (farsighted and well thought-out) policies and their effective implementation, removal of all obstructions to economic growth and tax incentives to encourage capital formation, and
  • (3) Ensuring a fair, caring and clean administration.
• Other aspects of Good Governance
  • Arthashastra describes the king as servant of state who would harbour no personal likes and dislikes.
  • Kautilya stated that good governance and stability go together.
    • There is stability if rulers are responsive, responsible, accountable and removable, otherwise there would be instability.
  • Four methods were advocated for settlement of disputes
    • Sama (conciliation), Dama (appeasement), Bheda (dividing), and Danda (use of force) to be employed as last resort.
  • King to be held accountable for:
    • Achievement oriented behaviour in terms of well being, happiness and prosperity and security of subjects. judicious use of authority.
    • Pursuit of happiness of people.
    • Use of reason and experience as basis of decision.
    • Shirking of work to be identified and punished.
    • Designing appropriate audit system to prevent corruption.
    • Strength of character, intelligence, perseverance of civil servants.
    • Uprightness, friendliness and firmness of devotion in dealing with others.
• 4 Nitis to stop corruption
  • Saam - Teaching and awaking public and public officials about ethical values in the administration, code of conduct, code of ethics etc.
  • Daam - Incentivising hard working officials, recognising the honest people and better salary structures, better working conditions and best service conditions. There should be a grievance redressal mechanism for both public and public officials.
  • Dand - Those who indulge in corrupt activities should get punishment. Punishments acts as deterrents and creates fear among the officials which results corruption becomes high risk activity but in India corruption is a low risk activity and high gain activity.
  • Bhed - Vigilance, Intelligence and spy system on those who going against rules, taking bribes, unaccounted money etc to be reported.

Governance in Ramayana

• Ramarajya as described in Ramayana had all characteristics of democracy..
• Everyone enjoyed socio-religious freedom.
• Although Rama was ruler, every person had right to speak his or her mind.

Good Governance in Shanti Parva (Mahabharat)

• After the Great War, King Yudhishthira approached Bhishma who was lying on a bed of arrows and requested him to give a discourse on duties and morality of king, officials and public
• Duties of kings are
  • make their subjects happy
  • to observe truth
  • protecting Dharma
    • Righteousness is called Dharma. It is Dharma that restraints and limits all evil acts of men
  • Devoting his life in service of his subjects
  • Formation of good governance is Dharma.
  • King, ministers and employees who have taken oath of their offices to upholding Dharma and to act in accordance with common good, must not act unjustly or unethically so as to secure their private good through selfishness.

Max Weber’s - Bureaucracy Theory

• Max Weber's 4 Properties of Bureacracy
  • Specialization of labour
  • A formal set of rules and regulations
  • Well-defined hierarchy within the organization
  • Impersonality in the application of rules

George Elton Mayo

• George Elton Mayo is popularly known as the father of Human Relation Theory of an Organisation
• 
• Hawthorne Experiments (Read once then remember titles)
  • The Great Illumination
    • Mayo first checked the assumption that the ‘better the light, the better the work’. To study the effects of altered illumination on work, he selected 2 groups of employees, called as control group, the lighting was kept at a fixed level, it was first increased in intensity in the other group and later on it was decreased. The results were dramatic as it was found that in the experimental group, the output showed an increase in all the cases. Moreover, it was seen that the output of the control group too registered an increase despite the fact that no lighting changes were made in it. It hence means that physical factors at work e.g. lighting had nothing to do with production beyond a certain level and the increase in output should be due to some unknown factor.
  • The Relay Assembly Test Room Experiment
    • In this group of six girls was selected. The group was initially constituted by first selecting 2 girls who were then asked to select 4 more girls of their choice. The group was employed in assembling telephone relays, which is a small but intricate electronic equipment, composed of nearly 40 separate parts. The group was subjected to various changes throughout the series of experiments, which lasted over a period of five years and an observer sat with the girls in the workshop noting any changes in the rate of production and keeping the girls informed about the experiment as well as asking for their advice or information and listening to their complaints. In short, he noted everything that went on in the relay assembly test room.
  • Mass Interviewing Programme
    • During the course of the experiment about 20,000 interviews were conducted to determine employees attitude towards their company, supervision, insurance plans, promotion and wages. Initially, the employees were questioned directly but later on realising the limitations of this approach, a questionnaire was prepared and circulated among the employees. The answers to these were analysed and it was realised that the social factors, both inside and outside the organisation affect the attitude of workers towards the work that they are doing. During the course of the mass interviews, it was also observed that the worker’s behaviour was being influenced by the group behaviour. This was reflected more so in terms of restricted output set up by the group norm. However, such observation could not be clearly verified in this stage of experiment and hence a detailed study of this aspect was carried out under shop situation to find out the behaviour of workers in small groups under the bank wiring room experiment.
  • Bank Wiring Room Experiment
    • Mayo noticed that the social groups formed in the factory workshop were capable of exercising considerable influence over the behaviour of their individual members. He hence decided to investigate the Bank Wiring Room, where he felt there was a great scope for improvement in output but he found that the output was restricted despite adequate financial incentives.

Peter Drucker - Management Theory

• Peter Drucker believed that business leaders need to embrace the “spirit of performance” by displaying high levels of moral and ethical integrity in their actions, focusing on results, empowering employees, going beyond financial obligations to shareholders, and ultimately serving the common good.

Chapter 10: Recent Examples (including Civil Servants)

Exemplary Civil Servants

Recent Examples

• Check PRAHAR Ethics for CSE Mains - Last section is current affairs related to Ethics