Explain the following terms with suitable examples. a) Beliefs b) Values c) Norms d) Principles e) Morals
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Mona SinghBegginer
People’s circumstances and social experiences influence their attitudes. Talk about it with examples.
Mona SinghBegginer
How may ethical conundrums arise in daily life and be resolved using Gandhiji’s talisman?
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Gandhi ji's talisman says that 'whenever a person is in doubt, he/she should think whether her decision would empower or marginalize the poorest.' It serves as an effective yardstick to evaluate the relevance of our actions. It is perhaps the most important social thought relevant presently as it heRead more
Gandhi ji’s talisman says that ‘whenever a person is in doubt, he/she should think whether her decision would empower or marginalize the poorest.’ It serves as an effective yardstick to evaluate the relevance of our actions. It is perhaps the most important social thought relevant presently as it helps in practicing the values of morality, empathy, compassion, integrity and honesty. Gandhi’s talisman can help resolve ethical dilemmas in general and day-to-day life in particular, in the following ways:
- Resources utilization: All public resources must be utilized in a fair and transparent manner so that the benefit reaches to the more deserving section. For example, an affluent family may think to leave the subsidy on LPG and buy the gas at market price instead.
- Self-interest vs Public benefit: At personal level, self-serving acts like tax evasion, littering in public places, practice of dowry, exploitation of women, nepotism can be avoided by following Gandhi ji’s talisman.
- Responsible production: The talisman provides a set of ideals for businesses and industries that they should strive for ensuring greater inclusiveness in the society. They must ensure optimal working conditions and comply with social security legislations and promote sustainable development.
- Conflict resolution: At societal level, it encourages altruism, compassion and communal harmony towards fellow human beings when encountered with negative vibes of hatred and violence. For example, during a protest against government inaction one must not destroy public utilities but rather sort out the issue through dialogue and other peaceful mechanism.
- During crisis: When people face disasters such as COVID and everyone is exposed to unemployment crises, Gandhi ji’s talisman gives hopes so that people may come forward to help each other e.g. in terms of giving salaries to the maids who cannot come for work, or to provide baskets of basic necessities to weaker section of society.
Resolving ethical dilemma requires clarity in thought process. Gandhiji’s talisman provides a line of thinking which involves keeping in mind interests of the marginalized. In this manner, this approach is of huge importance for a civil servant when it comes to resolving ethical dilemmas. In our day to day life, we face several situations such as leaving a seat to some old person or pregnant lady, or even at the time of giving moral education to children, or using natural resources such as water or electricity, Gandhiji’s talisman provides a guiding light. The essence of this talisman can also be observed in the philosophy of ‘Sarvodaya through Antyodaya’ (Development of all through development of the weakest) adopted by a welfare state during policy formulation.
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Mona SinghBegginer
Describe the idea of emotional intelligence and emphasize how important it is to administration.
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Emotional Intelligence (El) refers to the capability of a person to manage and control his or her emotions and possess the ability to perceive and manage the emotions of others as well. It includes following levels: Perceiving emotions: The first step in understanding emotions is to perceive them acRead more
Emotional Intelligence (El) refers to the capability of a person to manage and control his or her emotions and possess the ability to perceive and manage the emotions of others as well. It includes following levels:
- Perceiving emotions: The first step in understanding emotions is to perceive them accurately. In many cases, this might involve understanding nonverbal signals such as body language and facial expressions.
- Reasoning with emotions: The next step involves using emotions to promote thinking and cognitive activity. Emotions help prioritize what we pay attention and react to.
- Understanding emotions: The emotions that we perceive can carry a wide variety of meanings. For example, if your boss is acting angrily, it might mean that he is dissatisfied with your work, or he might have got a speeding ticket on his way to work that morning or he’s been fighting with his partner.
- Managing emotions: The ability to manage emotions effectively is a crucial part of emotional intelligence and the highest level. Regulating emotions and responding appropriately as well as responding to the emotions of others are all important aspects of emotional management.
Role of emotional intelligence in administration and governance
- Policy implementation: Public servants need to know emotions, moods and drives of persons at whom public policy is targeted for better acquaintance with the nature of problems in society and their possible solutions.
- Stay composed under pressure: A public servant with high El doesn’t flare up or lose control under difficult circumstances.
- Risk-taking: In a developing country like India, bold decisions are needed in discharging the responsibility of public services and El enables this risk-taking amongst public servants without being erratic or extremely unpredictable in their behaviour.
- Inspire a shared vision: El helps a public servant in convincing others that he understands others’ needs and has their best interests at heart. .
- Challenge the process: An emotionally intelligent public servant strives for change. One of the key emotional intelligence skills that are needed in order to challenge the status quo is flexibility. Flexible people are more likely to try new things, take risks, and face new challenges without fear.
- Enable others to act: El helps a public servant in realising his self-regard and develop interpersonal skills, which help him in fostering collaboration and building trust with others. This trust enables sharing and delegation of power with others.
- Motivating others: El helps in realising the importance of rewarding people for their participation, which goes a long way in motivating them to be part of the team and carry out governance measures with more vigour and energy.
Public servants are the trustees of public interest and are entrusted to make and implement policies. Therefore, they need to be emotionally intelligent, because without El it would be difficult to be empathetic to different sections of the society, to be firm in their approach, and to be good change agents.
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Mona SinghBegginer
Distinguishing between compassion and empathy, talk about the role that compassion plays in the administration for the less fortunate segments of society.
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Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. While compassion is empathy with a desire to help alleviate the suffering of others. Empathy is a cognitive and emotional idea, whereas compassion adds a behavioral aspect. For instance, while Draupadi’s chirharan bhism PitahmahRead more
Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. While compassion is empathy with a desire to help alleviate the suffering of others.
Empathy is a cognitive and emotional idea, whereas compassion adds a behavioral aspect. For instance, while Draupadi’s chirharan bhism Pitahmah and Guru Dronacharya were empathetic towards her. On the other side, after the Kalinga War, Ashoka left Bherigosa and adopted Dhammagosa just out of compassion. although both the concepts are related and mutually dependent.
- Addressing Inequality: weaker sections like tribes, poor, women, etc. have been subjected to historical injustice and still face the challenges; hence, compassion towards weaker sections is important. For instance, Pudukottai Collector Kavitha Ramu opened the doors of the temple for Dalits.
- Implementation of Welfare Schemes
A compassionate bureaucrat better understands the needs and challenges of weaker sections. thus form the best policy and effectively implement them. for instance, the midday meal scheme.
- Enhances Trust in Government
Compassion increases the credibility of government, which consequently increases community participation and strengthens democracy.
- Promoting social cohesion
Inequality leads to sense of injustice. Compassionate governance reduces inequalities and thus fosters harmonious relations.
- Inclusivity: compassion promotes socio-economic and political inclusivity.
6. Ethical Governance: compassion prevents arrogance of power and promotes ethical governance.
To conclude, we can say that compassion is essential for effective governance and social equity. It enables bureaucrats to fulfill their roles as agents of change, working towards an inclusive and just society.
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Mona SinghBegginer
To symbolize the concord that Ashoka attained and to uphold his compassionate policies for the people of the contemporary Indian country, the Indian Republic adopted Ashoka’s Lion Capital at Sarnath as its state emblem. Talk on the moral lessons that ...
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Ashoka, the Mauryan emperor, is renowned for his transformation from a ruthless conqueror to a benevolent ruler. This transformation of his is an inspiration for modern times as well. The Indian Republic's choice of Ashoka's Lion Capital at Sarnath as its state emblem reflects the resonance of his eRead more
Ashoka, the Mauryan emperor, is renowned for his transformation from a ruthless conqueror to a benevolent ruler. This transformation of his is an inspiration for modern times as well. The Indian Republic’s choice of Ashoka’s Lion Capital at Sarnath as its state emblem reflects the resonance of his ethical teachings in contemporary India. The Lion Capital at Sarnath, chosen as India’s national emblem, symbolizes the power of an enlightened emperor dedicated to upholding righteousness. By embracing this symbolism, modern India is committed to equality, socialjustice, and the triumph of truth.
Ethical teachings that find resonance in Ashoka’s Life:- Self-transformation: One profound truth derived from Ashoka’s story is the remarkable ability to transform oneself and one’s ideals through self-reflection. It teaches individuals as well as organisations to cultivate self-awareness, reflect on their actions and take responsibility for their outcomes.
- Equality and justice: One of Ashoka’s remarkable achievements was the establishment of one of the earliest welfare states in the ancient world. Moreover, Ashoka’s concept of ‘Dhamma encompassed the principles of fairness, dignity and justice reflecting that the foremost aim of the State should be the well-being of its subjects.
- Tolerance and acceptance: Ashoka’s reign stands as a shining example of tolerance towards diverse faiths and dissenting viewpoints. His wisdom echoes the ongoing debates on free speech and tolerance, issues of inclusive growth as well as harmonious coexistence of different faiths.
- Diplomacy and peaceful coexistence: After conquering Kalinga, he established contact and maintained treaties with five contemporary Greek rulers. This early example of international negotiation to foster peaceful relations inspired India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, and subsequent policymakers to establish diplomacy-based ties with neighbouring countries.
- Compassion and empathy: Ashoka demonstrated the socio-moral virtues of honesty, truthfulness, compassion, mercifulness, benevolence, nonviolence, and considerate behaviour towards all including animals. Ashoka’s emphasis on animal rights holds relevance even today, emphasizing the importance of humane treatment and wildlife preservation worldwide.
- Humanity and humility: Ashoka showed humanity and humility by serving his people, establishing hospitals for humans and animals, providing medicines, planting trees, constructing wells and resting places, and taking action against public negligence and animal cruelty.
Ashoka’s life and deeds remain pertinent as India progresses toward a courageous, proud, and influential nation guided by the principle of ‘Satyamev Jayate’ (truth always triumphs).
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Mona SinghBegginer
The concept of twofold impact posits that when an individual’s behavior or conduct aims to accomplish a morally good purpose but has an unfavorable consequence as a byproduct, it is still permissible to engage in that behavior or conduct. To ...
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According to the principle of double effect, sometimes, it is permissible to cause harm as a side effect (or "double effect") of bringing about a good result. This doctrine was devised as 'a neat algorithm' for solving moral disputes in which an act literally has a 'double effect, one good and the oRead more
According to the principle of double effect, sometimes, it is permissible to cause harm as a side effect (or “double effect”) of bringing about a good result. This doctrine was devised as ‘a neat algorithm’ for solving moral disputes in which an act literally has a ‘double effect, one good and the other bad.
This principle aids in resolving difficult moral situations as given below:- The nature of the act: The action must either be morally good or neutral.
- For example, a fire-fighter entering a building on fire to save the lives of the residents trapped in the building is an act of self-sacrifice. The fire-fighter acts to save lives while foreseeing that his actions may lead to his death as an unintended consequence.
- The proportionality condition: The good effect should be greater or at least equivalent in importance to bad effect.
- For example, despite some collateral damage, military carrying out raids in hostile territories for the purpose of hunting downorganised crime groups is justified.
- The means-end condition: Forachieving the good effect, the bad means should not be used.
- For example, a doctor prescribes heavy painkillers to reduce the pain of a patient while foreseeing that the drugs may reduce the patient’s life span. ‘
- The right-intention condition: The intention must only be to achieve the good effect. The bad effect must be only an unintended side-effect.
- For example, during self-defence, an individual may kill another without any intention to kill the other.
However, on the other hand, the doctrine has been misunderstood as a valid excuse to allow an individual to cause harm to others as long as his intentions are inclined towards achieving something morally good. However, the individual making the action also has the responsibility to minimise the risk of the negative side-effect. Furthermore, the doctrine has restrictions as well, such as not acting in excess, inappropriately or without just cause. Thus, the principle of double effect offers a framework for weighing the morally good and bad implications of actions and guides individuals in morally challenging scenarios
- (b) The Indian Republic chose Ashoka’s Lion Capitalat Sarnath as its state emblem to reflect the same harmony achieved by him and effect a continuity with his humane policies towards the people of the modern Indian nation. In this background, discuss the ethical teachings that find resonance in Ashoka’s life. 10
Answer:
Ashoka, the Mauryan emperor, is renowned for his transformation from a ruthless conqueror to a benevolent ruler. This transformation of his is an inspiration for modern times as well. The Indian Republic’s choice of Ashoka’s Lion Capital at Sarnath as its state emblem reflects the resonance of his ethical teachings in contemporary India. The Lion Capital at Sarnath, chosen as India’s national emblem, symbolizes the power of an enlightened emperor dedicated to upholding righteousness. By embracing this symbolism, modern India is committed to equality, socialjustice, and the triumph of truth.
Ethical teachings that find resonance in Ashoka’s Life:- Self-transformation: One profound truth derived from Ashoka’s story is the remarkable ability to transform oneself and one’s ideals through self-reflection. It teaches individuals as well as organisations to cultivate self-awareness, reflect on their actions and take responsibility for their outcomes.
- Equality and justice: One of Ashoka’s remarkable achievements was the establishment of one of the earliest welfare states in the ancient world. Moreover, Ashoka’s concept of ‘Dhamma encompassed the principles of fairness, dignity and justice reflecting that the foremost aim of the State should be the well-being of its subjects.
- Tolerance and acceptance: Ashoka’s reign stands as a shining example of tolerance towards diverse faiths and dissenting viewpoints. His wisdom echoes the ongoing debates on free speech and tolerance, issues of inclusive growth as well as harmonious coexistence of different faiths.
- Diplomacy and peaceful coexistence: After conquering Kalinga, he established contact and maintained treaties with five contemporary Greek rulers. This early example of international negotiation to foster peaceful relations inspired India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, and subsequent policymakers to establish diplomacy-based ties with neighbouring countries.
- Compassion and empathy: Ashoka demonstrated the socio-moral virtues of honesty, truthfulness, compassion, mercifulness, benevolence, nonviolence, and considerate behaviour towards all including animals. Ashoka’s emphasis on animal rights holds relevance even today, emphasizing the importance of humane treatment and wildlife preservation worldwide.
- Humanity and humility: Ashoka showed humanity and humility by serving his people, establishing hospitals for humans and animals, providing medicines, planting trees, constructing wells and resting places, and taking action against public negligence and animal cruelty.
Ashoka’s life and deeds remain pertinent as India progresses toward a courageous, proud, and influential nation guided by the principle of ‘Satyamev Jayate’ (truth always triumphs).
See less - The nature of the act: The action must either be morally good or neutral.
Mona SinghBegginer
Talk about the duties carried out by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and how it influences Indian policymaking. (Answer in 150 words)
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The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) is an extra-constitutional body, which finds mention in the Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961, where it has been accorded the status of a government department. It is a staff agency, which provides secretarial assistance and advice to the PrimRead more
The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) is an extra-constitutional body, which finds mention in the Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961, where it has been accorded the status of a government department. It is a staff agency, which provides secretarial assistance and advice to the Prime Minister. It was called the Prime Minister’s Secretariat and was renamed the PMO in 1977 and is headed by the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister.
Key functions performed by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) include:
- Advising the Prime Minister: The PMO provides the Prime Minister with critical information, analyses, and policy recommendations on various issues of national importance, thereby enabling informed decision-making.
- Crisis management: It is responsible for managing crises and emergencies. It coordinates the response of various government agencies and ensures that the Prime Minister is kept informed of the recent developments.
- Liaising with stakeholders: The PMO liaises with various stakeholders, including government departments, civil society organizations, and the private sector. It ensures that the Prime Minister is kept informed of the views and opinions of various stakeholders on policy issues.
- Public relations and media management: It ensures that the government’s policies and initiatives are accurately and effectively conveyed to the public.
The PMO’s role in shaping policy-making in India:
- Central role in policy coordination: The PMO plays a pivotal role in coordinating policy initiatives and decision-making processes across various government departments and Ministries. For instance, the PMO coordinated the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, a financial inclusion programme aimed at providing banking services to the unbanked population.
- International relations: It plays a key role in shaping India’s foreign policy, maintaining diplomatic relations with other countries, facilitating the Prime Minister’s engagements with foreign leaders and international organizations, etc.
- Monitoring policy implementation: It oversees the implementation of policies and programmes by various government departments and Ministries.
- Many reforms in this sphere have come from the PMO, such as PRAGATI, centralized monitoring system, 360 degree appraisal, etc.
- Crystallizing poll promises into concrete public policies: As a party leader during elections, the PM makes several promises to the electorate. These poll promises have to be crystallised into concrete public policies. Here, the PMO comes to the aid of the PM in giving these promises the shape of public policies.
The role of the PMO in shaping policy-making in India cannot be understated. It plays a critical part in ensuring that the government’s agenda is translated into tangible policies and programmes that positively impact the lives of the citizens. The PMO’s ability to coordinate various governmental entities and ensure the smooth implementation of policies makes it an indispensable part of the Indian Executive system.
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Mona SinghBegginer
The link between religion and globalization has always been complicated, with new opportunities and difficulties arising from their interactions. Talk about it. (Answer in 250 words)
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Globalisation is a process of interconnectedness, interdependence and integration of economics and societies. It allows for religions, which were previously isolated from one another to have regular and unavoidable contact now. The interaction between globalisation and religion has brought new possiRead more
Globalisation is a process of interconnectedness, interdependence and integration of economics and societies. It allows for religions, which were previously isolated from one another to have regular and unavoidable contact now. The interaction between globalisation and religion has brought new possibilities as given below:
- Religious tolerance: Globalisation brings a culture of pluralism, meaning religions with overlapping but distinctive ethics and interests interact with one another, thus leading to greater religious tolerance.
- Spreading religious ideas: Globalisation plays a tremendous role in providing a context for the current considerable revival and the resurgence of religion. Religions have spread and scattered on a global scale and are not relegated to the few countries where they began. Also, technology has intensified globalisation and religion has tremendously benefited from technological advancements.
- Active participation in international affairs: Religious communities such as the Roman Catholic Church, the World Council of Churches, etc. take part in international affairs. For ex. ISKCON, Khalsa aid members conducted a massive food relief effort in Hungary to provide fresh food and water for the students coming home from Ukraine.
- Spread of humanitarian values: Globalisation has helped to share many of the basic commitments as given by religious traditions, mainly peace, human dignity, and human equality, etc. through international organisations. For e.g., global political forums such as the United Nations (UN) etc. promote peace, conflict resolution through negotiation, mediation, and diplomacy.
In this way, globalization opens a new door for religion that enhances cooperation, tolerance and brings new opportunities and possibilities. But, on the other hand, this interaction between the globalisation and religion has emerging challenges as well which are given below:
- In this globalised world, consumerism, material prosperity and achievement has become the aim of life while inner peace is ignored, thus undermining religious ideas and perspectives.
- Since globalization brings world cultures, identities, and religions in direct contact with each other and makes everything hybrid, the competition and conflicts of religions constitutes a major challenge leading to social tensions.
- Also, globalization’s strict rationalism manifested in ideas like liberalism and secularism can be incompatible with the norms and the values of some religions.
Religion and globalisation share a strange and paradoxical, yet mutually reinforcing relationship. While some scholars may have dismissed religion as a primitive manifestation of superstition, thinking that the forces of globalization would lead to religion’s demise, but the effects of cultural exchange due to globalisation has led to proliferation of religion. Thus, it is necessary to minimise the challenges of religion and globalisation and bring the culture of peace and harmony.
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Mona SinghBegginer
Describe how India’s poverty and environmental deterioration are related. How may initiatives to combat poverty contribute significantly to the advancement of environmentally friendly development and preservation of the environment? (Answer in 250 words)
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Poverty and the environment are closely inter-related. Whilst people living in poverty are seldom the principal creators of environmental damage, they often bear the brunt of environmental damage and are often caught in a downward spiral, whereby the poor are forced to deplete resources to survive,Read more
Poverty and the environment are closely inter-related. Whilst people living in poverty are seldom the principal creators of environmental damage, they often bear the brunt of environmental damage and are often caught in a downward spiral, whereby the poor are forced to deplete resources to survive, and this degradation of the environment further impoverishes people.
Relationship between poverty and environmental degradation in India:- Poverty leading to environmental degradation:
- Depletion of resources: For instance, migration from rural to urban areas in search of better economic opportunities or towards coastal areas for the development of new industries lead to deforestation, encroachment of flood plains, over-exploitation of resources, increased pollution, etc. Hence, the pace of development basically depletes or sometimes destroys the very resources that are fuelling its growth.
- Unsustainable agriculture: Poverty often causes people to put relatively more pressure on the environment and agriculture. Insufficient knowledge or unsustainable agricultural practices can lead to a decline in crop yield and productivity. For instance, decline in agricultural productivity due to practice of ‘jhum cultivation’ in the North-East.
- Waste generation: Poor people are more likely to use unsustainable and traditional techniques, which create more waste and carbon emissions. For instance, use of non-clean fuel, open defecation, etc.
- Environmental degradation exacerbating poverty:
- Soil erosion, land degradation and deforestation lead to a decline in food production and fuelwood along with a shortage of fodder for livestock leading to inflation, which adds to the woes of the poor.
- Poor people are more vulnerable to environmental disasters such as cyclones, flood, heatwaves, etc., which are intensified by human-induced climate change. For instance, the fishing community is more vulnerable to climate change.
- The urban poor are the most exposed to severe air and water pollution leading to health issues and increased out of pocket expenditure, which further squeezes their income. A study conducted in 2021 stated that India’s poor face disproportionately higher risk of dying from air pollution than the rich.
- Women in certain villages of India in arid regions such as Vidarbha need to spend considerable time fetching water and fuelwood, which leaves less time for productive activities. Further, environmental damage affects their economic prospects disproportionately.
Role of poverty reduction in promoting sustainable development and safeguarding the environment:
- Investing in a sustainable livelihood: Poverty reduction efforts can promote sustainable development by creating economic opportunities that are environmentally sustainable, such as investing in renewable energy or promoting sustainable agriculture.
- Assigning ownership/responsibility of resources: Education and awareness raising programmes focusing on environmental issues can be integrated into poverty reduction efforts in order to empower communities to take ownership of their environmental resources and preserve them for future generations. For example, promoting eco-tourism, improving waste management practices, etc.
- Access to cleaner resources: Improved access to clean water, sanitation, and healthcare under poverty reduction efforts can reduce health risks associated with pollution, waste, and poor sanitation practices, thereby contributing to a healthier environment.
- Access to secure housing: It would free up land encroached by slum dwellers, which could be saved from land degradation and further utilised for watershed development, agro-forestation, etc.
- Promoting gender equality and empowering women: Women are often more vulnerable to environmental risks and degradation, and empowering them in decision-making leads to better resource governance and environmental conservation.
Thus, any development strategy needs to integrate economic poverty and environmental degradation to ensure its sustainability in the long-run. The government needs to examine the effectiveness, practicality and appropriate forms of policy targeting aimed at achieving poverty reduction and sustainable environmental management in different agro-ecological zones and urban environments.
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