What significance do you attach to each of the following quotations? a. “Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have the right to do and what is right to do.” -Potter Stewart (150 words) [UPSC 2022] b. “If a country is ...
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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a. “Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have the right to do and what is right to do.” - Potter Stewart This quotation emphasizes the fundamental distinction between legality and morality. Ethics often goes beyond mere compliance with laws and regulations; it involves making choices thRead more
a. “Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have the right to do and what is right to do.” – Potter Stewart
This quotation emphasizes the fundamental distinction between legality and morality. Ethics often goes beyond mere compliance with laws and regulations; it involves making choices that uphold moral principles. Potter Stewart suggests that having the legal right to perform an action does not necessarily make it ethical. For instance, a corporation might legally exploit tax loopholes to minimize its tax burden, but ethically, it may be seen as shirking its social responsibilities. Ethical decisions require individuals to consider the broader impact of their actions on others and society. Recent example: In the context of the Adani Group controversies, while some actions were legally permissible, there was significant debate over their ethical implications concerning environmental and social responsibilities.
b. “If a country is to be corruption free and become a nation of beautiful minds, I strongly feel that there are three key societal members who can make a difference. They are father, mother and teacher.” – A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
A. P. J. Abdul Kalam underscores the crucial role of family and educators in shaping an individual’s values and character. Fathers, mothers, and teachers are pivotal in instilling ethical values and a sense of integrity from a young age. Parents provide the foundational values and moral compass, while teachers reinforce these principles through education. For instance, the “Moral Science” curriculum in Indian schools is designed to instill ethical values among students. If these key societal members emphasize honesty and transparency, it can significantly contribute to a corruption-free society. Recent example: The emphasis on values-based education in schools, such as the introduction of “Value Education” programs, aims to build character and prevent future corruption.
c. “Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.” – Dalai Lama
Dalai Lama encourages evaluating success not just by the achievements but by the sacrifices made to attain them. This perspective highlights that true success often involves personal cost and compromises. Success that is achieved by compromising values or harming others is less commendable. For example, whistleblowers often face significant personal and professional sacrifices, yet their actions are considered noble because they uphold ethical standards. Recent example: The Edward Snowden case, where Snowden sacrificed his career and personal freedom to expose governmental surveillance practices, illustrates this notion of success being measured by the sacrifices made in the pursuit of a higher ethical standard.
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