Answer: According to the Deontological ethics of normative ethical theory, an action can be said to be right if the action follows a set of rules or standards not because of the amount of good in the outcome. This proposition is against the idea of consequentialism, which judges actions based on theRead more
Answer: According to the Deontological ethics of normative ethical theory, an action can be said to be right if the action follows a set of rules or standards not because of the amount of good in the outcome. This proposition is against the idea of consequentialism, which judges actions based on their results. For instance, taking the side of a Dalit mid-day meal cook at a primary school, even though the majority of parents threaten to change their children’s schools if she continues to cook is the right action. Even though, the result of children dropping out of school may be a wrong consequence. Norms that ensure the rightness of an action despite consequences:
- Following universal rules: The rules must be logically upright and shouldn’t lead to any contradictions. It should also be consistent and can be applied to all people in all situations. For example, corruption is prohibited even if some level of corruption makes decision-making quicker.
- Person’s intentions: Since we can’t always control or predict the outcomes of our actions, keeping intentions in control will ensure the right conduct in action. For instance, saving accident victims with the right intention even though sometimes it may lead to police inquiry is a justifiable act.
- Selfless act: Any actions should not be motivated by personal desire or greed but a set of certain socially accepted norms.
- Treating all people as “ends”: This ensures, knowingly and intentionally never sacrificing the good of one person for the good of another. For example, taking away one healthy person’s organs to save five other persons.
- Morally compliant action: Even though good action enhances the lives of those who possess it, it has to be in conformity with moral obligations as well. For instance, tax planning may help in maximizing profits, but it is morally obligatory for firms to do so without flouting the law.
However, sometimes de-emphasising consequences makes us guilty of ‘Crimes of Omission’, for example, not lying about the location of a friend, even to a person trying to murder him. One way of resolving this problem is through an idea called threshold deontology, which argues that we should always obey the rules unless in an emergency situation, at which point we should revert to a consequentialist approach. Nonetheless, it can be said that the deontological approach possesses the strong advantage of being able to account for strong, widely shared moral intuitions about one’s duties better than consequentialism.
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The belief in democracy, despite its perceived incompetence, often stems from its foundational principle of representing the will of the people and providing a mechanism for accountability and change. However, the effectiveness of democracy can be challenged by various factors, such as corruption, iRead more
The belief in democracy, despite its perceived incompetence, often stems from its foundational principle of representing the will of the people and providing a mechanism for accountability and change. However, the effectiveness of democracy can be challenged by various factors, such as corruption, inefficiency, and a lack of public trust. In the context of India, addressing these issues could involve reforms and adaptations that enhance the democratic system rather than abandoning it entirely. Here are some suggestions for evolving democracy in India:
1. Electoral Reforms
See lessProportional Representation: Introduce elements of proportional representation to ensure that minority voices are better represented in the legislative process.
Campaign Finance Reform: Implement stricter regulations on campaign financing to reduce the influence of money in politics and ensure a level playing field.
Independent Election Commission: Strengthen the independence and powers of the Election Commission to ensure free and fair elections.
2. Decentralization of Power
Empowering Local Governments: Strengthen Panchayati Raj institutions and urban local bodies to ensure that decisions are made closer to the people they affect.
Federalism: Enhance the powers of state governments to address regional issues more effectively while maintaining national unity.
3. Transparency and Accountability
Right to Information (RTI): Strengthen the RTI Act to ensure greater transparency in government operations.
Anti-Corruption Measures: Establish and empower independent anti-corruption bodies with the authority to investigate and prosecute corruption at all levels of government.
Judicial Reforms: Speed up the judicial process and ensure timely justice to build public trust in the legal system.
4. Civic Education and Engagement
Civic Education: Implement comprehensive civic education programs in schools to educate citizens about their rights, responsibilities, and the functioning of democracy.
Public Participation: Create more avenues for public participation in decision-making processes, such as public consultations and participatory budgeting.
5. Technological Integration
E-Governance: Implement e-governance initiatives to streamline government services, reduce red tape, and increase transparency.
Digital Voting: Explore the feasibility of secure digital voting systems to increase voter participation and reduce electoral fraud.
6. Policy Reforms
Economic Policies: Focus on inclusive growth policies that address economic disparities and ensure that the benefits of development reach all sections of society.
Social Justice: Strengthen policies aimed at social justice, including affirmative action, to ensure equality of opportunity for all citizens.
7. Strengthening Institutions
Independent Media: Ensure the independence of the media to act as a watchdog against government excesses and corruption.
Civil Society Organizations: Support and protect civil society organizations that play a critical role in advocating for citizens’ rights and holding the government accountable.