Ethics Qip
Ethics Qip
Ethics Qip
Psychology Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behaviour;
moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion.
Emotional intelligence
Sociology Human Values lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and
administrators; role of family society and educational institutions in inculcating values.
Philosophy Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world.
Probity in Governance
Ethical Governance
However, as Mohan went home that evening, he was not unhappy, despite being scolded by class teacher and
mocked by fellow students.
Based on your reading of above passage, Why do you think Mohan was not unhappy?
Action as per value and attitudes
Gandhiji said, is when what we think, say and do are in harmony with each other.
Immanuel Kant has said, like happiness must be desired for . Safeguarding
virtue also gives happiness.
Kant also famously said, things awe me the most, the starry sky above me and the moral law
within . Mohan might also be feeling pride for his morality.
Value expression
Virtue based ethics declare summum bunum
giving more importance to virtue than spelling test, must be satisfied.
John veil of ignorance tomorrow the corrupt practices may be encouraged in our own organisation/
bidding process
conception of in society
No action has been taken against the concerned civil servant. Rather a transfer, suggested by many as a
promotion, has been made.
Farmers have been protesting for a prolong period. Their protests has also caused road blockages and
inconvenience to the commuters. Multiple talks between farmer groups and government has failed.
You are heading a district administration in a particular department. Your senior officer calls you
from the State Headquarters and tells you that a plot in Rampur village is to have a building
constructed on it for a school. A visit is scheduled during which he will visit the site along with the
chief engineer and the senior architect. He wants you to check out all the papers relating to it
and to ensure that the visit is properly arranged. You examine the file which relates to the period
before you joined the department. The land was acquired from the local Panchayat at a nominal
cost and the papers show that clearance certificates are available from the two of the three
authorities who have to certify the suitability. There is no certification by the architect
available on file. You decide to visit Rampur to ensure that all is in order as stated on file. When
you visit Rampur, you find that the plot under reference is part of Thakurgarh Fort and that the
walls, ramparts, etc., are running across it. The fort is well away from the main village, therefore a
school here will be a serious inconvenience for the children. However, the area near the village
has potential to expand into a larger residential area. The development charges on the existing
plot, at the fort, will be very high and the question of heritage site has not been addressed.
Moreover, the Sarpanch, at the time of acquisition of the land, was a relative of your
predecessor. The whole transaction appears to have been done with some vested interest.
What are the dilemmas you face? What will be your response to the situation?
The case presents dilemma for me on various fronts:
a) Dilemma to choose between profitability of my company and justice to the accident victim.
b) To choose between my values of loyalty to my company and empathy and social responsibility.
c) To choose between my professional well-being by facilitating the seal of the deal and my integrity.
d) Whether to cooperate with law enforcement officer and suffer potential personal and social loss.
i. o avoid any inner dissonance and crisis of conscience I must act ethically. Then only I can be happy from within
ii. I will use talisman to resolve the dilemma which says to act in the interest of the weak who in this case is the
accident victim.
iii. As per categorical imperative I have to treat humanity as an end and value the life of the accident victim.
iv. I will take decision as per John veil of ignorance. Tomorrow I or my family and friends could be victim of rash
driving. So it is in my own interest to cooperate with the authority.
v. Rules like traffic rule cannot be enforced without cooperation. It is my legal responsibility to help enforce the
rule by punishing the violators and creating deterrence.
vi. My decision will help the accident victim get justice.
vii. My virtue and integrity will be safeguarded.
Along with this I will persuade my company to willingly accept my decision. My personal integrity my also increase
managements trust in me and help me assume greater responsibility.
Ethics QIP-Lec:2
Psychology Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behaviour;
moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion.
Emotional intelligence
Sociology Human Values lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers
and administrators; role of family society and educational institutions in
inculcating values.
Philosophy Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world.
Probity in Governance
Ethical Governance
John veil of ignorance tomorrow the corrupt practices may be encouraged in our own organisation/
bidding process
At first, she thinks that if her seniors are keeping quiet, why should she stick out her neck. But her
conscience pricks her to do something to save the river and the people who depend upon it. At heart
she feels that the advice of silence given by her friends is not correct though she cannot give reasons
for it. She thinks you are a wise person and seeks your advice. [2016]
a) What arguments can you advance to show her that keeping quiet is not morally right?
b) What course of action would you advise her to adopt and why?
What is meant by public interest? What are the principles and procedures to be followed by the civil
servants in public interest? [2018]
Ethical Governance
ii. Culture of bribery develops which will hamper efficient clearance system/bidding/tender as a common good.
Integrity of the process will be destroyed. Common good will be eroded.
iii. Satyamev Jayate, honesty is morally uplifting it boosts dignity and self-respect; Virtue, like happiness, must be
desired for themselves; two things awe me most, the starry-sky above me and the moral law within me.
iv. Work culture; organisational value.
v. Opportunity to improve the system; . As human beings we have certain moral rights
and duties. It's an absolutist view - right is right and must always be done, regardless of the circumstances.
vi. tomorrow the corrupt practices may be encouraged in our own organisation/
bidding process
vii. Laws against bribery Investigations in future will lead to penalization of all involved in my company and may
lead to blacklisting.
viii. My moral duty to provide ethical guidance to my company.
ix. Will develop social capital for the institution/company.
In such scenario, it is important that I listen to my conscience and do what is ethically correct. There is procedure for
grievance redressal and making the officer do what is best for the organisation. I will take following action:
a) Conveying our zero tolerance policy towards corruption to officer in strict words
b) Submitting my quotation with all details of prices and quality.
c) I will make public the quality and specifications of our product so that there will be pressure on officials to not
choose an inferior product.
d) Let the officer take the decision.
e) If he decides in favour of another company, then I will file an RTI asking on what basis decision has been taken.
f) On basis of RTI, I will contact with the higher officials and will register my complaint including getting a stay on the
decision.
Though, it may take some time to get the matter solved, but it will surely be a good development for the long term.
Meanwhile, I can create brand awareness about my product , which would ensure that non-selection of branded good
would not go unquestioned in public thus enforcing sort of social audit on the decision making.
You have been working on the post of Joint Secretary in one of the departments of Defense Ministry. A
research organisation under your department has developed a helicopter which has been working well
for the defense forces of your country. The helicopter also has great potential market in many
developing countries which lack indigenous technology.
The defense minister has assigned you the job of getting orders for this helicopter from these countries,
so that revenues can be generated for further development.
While negotiating with the officials of one country which has shown interest in buying more than 100
helicopters, you realized that stiff competition is there from many European countries. But this
competition can be countered by bribing the officials. Corruption is huge in this interested country and
European sellers are quick enough to catch the opportunity.
You are an honest officer and your product is also superior to the helicopters offered by others. In
context of this situation:
a) Explain what are the ethical issues involved in this case?
b) What steps you can take to resolve the situation?
Ethics QIP-Lec:3
Psychology Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behaviour;
moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion.
Emotional intelligence
Sociology Human Values lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers
and administrators; role of family society and educational institutions in
inculcating values.
Philosophy Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world.
Probity in Governance
Ethical Governance
- Mahatma Gandhi
Destroys the spirit of public service; work culture; culture of dedication; organizational values; Integrity
of the process.
Increases the challenges of corruption.
Information about severity of the problem was highlighted -
Cognition
Air quality Index was used to give live date at major cross roads.
(belief)
Public transportation is also cost effective
Data on 50% children being affected by respiratory diseases in Delhi
emotion of love, care, compassion etc
New relations due to carpooling friendship.
Emotion Frustration due to traffic jam is now reduces.
Fear of heavy fine.
On the first day instead of issuing fine rose were given to develop positive
emotion.
People started realizing that the scheme is saving their time due to less
Behaviour traffic.
(Past Number of buses were increased, metro frequency was increases, whole
experience) public transport was strengthened.
Carpooling in Ola and Uber were initiated.
Techniques of Persuasion
Probity in Governance
Work culture
Quality of service delivery
Utilization of public funds
Challenges of corruption.
Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world
A fresh engineering graduate gets a job in a prestigious chemical industry. She likes the work. The
salary is also good. However, after a few months accidentally discovers that a highly toxic waste is
being secretly discharged into a river nearby. This is causing health problems to the villagers
downstream who depend on the river for their water needs. She is perturbed and mentions her
concern to her colleagues who have been with the company for longer periods. They advise her to keep
quite as anyone who mentions the topic is summarily dismissed. She cannot risk losing her job as she is
the sole bread-winner for her family and has to support her ailing parents and siblings.
At first, she thinks that if her seniors are keeping quiet, why should she stick out her neck. But her
conscience pricks her to do something to save the river and the people who depend upon it. At heart
she feels that the advice of silence given by her friends is not correct though she cannot give reasons
for it. She thinks you are a wise person and seeks your advice. [2016]
a) What arguments can you advance to show her that keeping quiet is not morally right?
b) What course of action would you advise her to adopt and why?
I will advise her following course of action:
Do some ground research and come up with concrete report about number of people getting
affected and the potential harm caused to health. This will increase her persuasion power and
she will be taken seriously.
She must not be worried about her job as she will find other one but if integrity is lost, its one forever.
A building permitted for three floors, while being extended illegally to 6 floors by a builder, collapses. As a
consequence, a number of innocent labourers including women and children died. These labourers are
migrants of different places. The government immediately announced cash relief to the aggrieved families
and arrested the builder.
Give reasons for such incidents taking place across the country. Suggest measures to prevent their
occurrence.
Following steps can be taken to prevent such accidents
Gunnar Mrydal, a Swedish economist-sociologist has termed Asian economies including India as soft state
that does not have motivation to legislate laws or enforce the already legislated laws and does not have
any discipline in public life. We need to overcome such impression of and stop illegal
constructions in our nation causing huge social, economic, political and environmental losses.
It has been widely reported in media that a civil servant has ordered his subordinates to break the heads of the
protesting farmers if they cross through the unauthorized area. This has created lots of resentfulness and anxiety
among various stakeholders.
No action has been taken against the concerned civil servant. Rather a transfer, suggested by many as a promotion,
has been made.
Farmers have been protesting for a prolong period. Their protests has also caused road blockages and inconvenience
to the commuters. Multiple talks between farmer groups and government has failed.
Emotional intelligence
Sociology Human Values lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers
and administrators; role of family society and educational institutions in
inculcating values.
Philosophy Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world.
Probity in Governance
Ethical Governance
Spirit of Public Service
Civil service values
Ethical laws, rules,
Social level Tolerance regulations.
Individual level Tools of ethical
Justice Value conflict
Equality Dignity and Honour governance:
Fraternity Persuasion Autonomy/Freedom Probity
Ethical Ecosystem Rights (& Implied Accountability
Public Good EI duties) Transparency
Peace Codes of Ethics,
Codes of Conduct
Social Contract Public Interest Charters
Common Good Work culture
Sarvodaya participation
Trusteeship Quality service delivery
e-governance
Corporate governance.
Challenges of corruption.
Information about severity of the problem was highlighted -
Cognition
Air quality Index was used to give live date at major cross roads.
(belief)
Public transportation is also cost effective
Data on 50% children being affected by respiratory diseases in Delhi
emotion of love, care, compassion etc
New relations due to carpooling friendship.
Emotion Frustration due to traffic jam is now reduces.
Fear of heavy fine.
On the first day instead of issuing fine rose were given to develop positive
emotion.
People started realizing that the scheme is saving their time due to less
Behaviour traffic.
(Past Number of buses were increased, metro frequency was increases, whole
experience) public transport was strengthened.
Carpooling in Ola and Uber were initiated.
Techniques of Persuasion
Probity in Governance
Work culture
Quality of service delivery
Utilization of public funds
Challenges of corruption.
Ethical Governance
Spirit of Public Service
Civil service values
Ethical laws, rules,
Social level Tolerance regulations.
Individual level Tools of ethical
Justice Value conflict
Equality Dignity and Honour governance:
Fraternity Persuasion Autonomy/Freedom Probity
Ethical Ecosystem Rights (& Implied Accountability
Public Good EI duties) Transparency
Peace Codes of Ethics,
Codes of Conduct
Social Contract Public Interest Charters
Common Good Work culture
Sarvodaya participation
Trusteeship Quality service delivery
e-governance
Corporate governance.
Challenges of corruption.
Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world
Young people with ethical conduct are not willing to come forward to join active politics. Suggest steps to
motivate them to come forward.
Young people with ethical conduct are not willing to come forward to join active politics. Suggest steps to
motivate them to come forward.
Youth are the trustees of national progress. Their positive attitude in active politics is important to meet this end.
For this a comprehensive strategy covering all aspects (cognitive, affective and behavioral) of persuasion and
attitude change must be targeted simultaneously.
In one old Hindi patriotic song it has been said addressing to the youth: Ye desh hai tumhara, Neta tumhi ho
kal k (This country is yours; you are the leader of tomorrow!)
Youth parliament must be conducted to instill interest in political issues and desire to become political leader.
Healthy political debates to involve more intellectual and rational youths.
Role modeling highlighting the stature and role of important leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Netaji Subhash
Chandra Bose, Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shastri etc in nation building.
Examples of foreign nation with young leaders heading their countries must be highlighted.
Use of Emotional intelligence to rouse the feeling of patriotism and projecting politics and a mean to express
the value of the love for nation.
Politics over religion, caste, reservation, language etc must be replaced by politics over development and
justice.
Voters must also demand person of strong ethical conduct and integrity to become their representative. NOTA
can be used in this regard.
As it is said in the same song referred before: Rakh do ge ek din tum sansar ko badal (One day you will change
the whole world)
What is the concept probity in governance? Suggest innovative measures for ensuring probity in government.
What is the concept probity in governance? Suggest innovative measures for ensuring probity in government.
Probity in governance refers to not only carrying out the process of governance with integrity and absence of
corruption, but also developing the right perception among people. People must perceive government to be
open, honest and efficient.
Probity in governance develops trust in and credibility of government. It develops social capital and effective
governance process.
Measures for ensuring probity in governance
Development of right cognition
Development of ethical ecosystem
Principle of accountability and transparency must be integrated in process of governance through citizens
charter, audit etc.
Open government RTI Act etc must be effectively implemented.
Citizen governance strengthening local governance, social audit etc.
Participatocentricry governance eg In development of New National Education Policy all skate holders
were consulted.
Declaration of information related to asset etc.
Management of conflict of interest
It has been widely reported in media that a civil servant has ordered his subordinates to break the heads of the
protesting farmers if they cross through the unauthorized area. This has created lots of resentfulness and anxiety
among various stakeholders.
No action has been taken against the concerned civil servant. Rather a transfer, suggested by many as a promotion,
has been made.
Farmers have been protesting for a prolong period. Their protests has also caused road blockages and inconvenience
to the commuters. Multiple talks between farmer groups and government has failed.
As Rudyard Kipling has explained in his poem Dawn the joy of living in pristine environment.
"At two o'clock in the morning, if you open your window and listen,
You will hear the feet of the Wind that is going to call the sun."
a) Degradation of land and water in the area will irreversibility destroy the ecology and also the way of life of farmers.
Further it will also threaten food security.
A nation that destroys its soils destroys itself. Forests are the lungs of our land, purifying the air and giving fresh
strength to our people. - Franklin D. Roosevelt
Emotional intelligence
Sociology Human Values lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers
and administrators; role of family society and educational institutions in
inculcating values.
Philosophy Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world.
Probity in Governance
Ethical Governance
Spirit of Public Service
Civil service values
Ethical laws, rules,
Social level Tolerance regulations.
Individual level Tools of ethical
Justice Value conflict
Equality Dignity and Honour governance:
Fraternity Persuasion Autonomy/Freedom Probity
Ethical Ecosystem Rights (& Implied Accountability
Public Good EI duties) Transparency
Peace Codes of Ethics,
Codes of Conduct
Social Contract Public Interest Charters
Common Good Work culture
Sarvodaya participation
Trusteeship Quality service delivery
e-governance
Corporate governance.
Challenges of corruption.
Techniques of Persuasion
Probity in Governance
Work culture
Quality of service delivery
Utilization of public funds
Challenges of corruption.
Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world
Duties
So act that your principle of action might safely be made a law for the whole world Immanuel Kant
Golden Rule - Do unto others what you expect others to do unto you.
Gandhiji emphasized on duties over right
Kant gave three categorical imperative:
o Formula of universal law Act only on that principle which can be a universal law.
o Formula of end in itself Do not use any person including yourselves as only means.
o Act as a member of kingdom of ends. A kingdom of ends is an ideal society of rational beings following moral
law. Everyone in this kingdom is sovereign i-e he imposed moral law upon himself and also subject himself to it.
Nishkama Karma, self-less or desireless action, is philosophy of Bhagwat Gita which urges one to do duty
without expectation of anything in return.
If you salute your Duty, you no need to Salute Anybody, but if you pollute your Duty, You have to Salute Everybody.
Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world
Human values
Two things awe me most, the starry sky above me and the
moral law within me.
act as to treat humanity, whether in their own person
or in that of any other, in every case as an end withal, never
as means .
Autonomy is the root of human dignity and the sources of
all morality.
Virtues, like happiness, must be desired for themselves.
Aristotle
Socrates said that All human beings naturally desire
happiness .
Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world
Persuasion
Socrates defined knowledge as knowing what to do in certain situation. He said that no one knowingly does what
is bad. This view is known as moral intellectualism.
Aristotle has said that man is a rational creature.
Immanuel Kant has said there is nothing above reason. All our knowledge begins with the senses, proceeds then
to the understanding, and ends with reason. There is nothing higher than reason.
Real politik
For Machiavelli, the highest purpose of social political life is to attain and hold power.
It is better to be feared than to be loved, if you cannot be both.
harm of John Stuart Mill In On liberty John Stuart Mill argued that, only purpose for which
power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm
to .
Bhai bin hoye na preeti Tulsidas
Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world
Rationality/Reasoning/Introspection
An unexamined life is not worth living Socrates
Socrates equated knowledge with virtue, which ultimately leads to ethical conduct. He believed that the only life
worth living was one that was rigorously examined.
is a rational Aristotle
telos is rational. In other words, our function is
to realise our full potential as rational being. If we are not fully rational, we are falling short of our true nature.
All our knowledge begins with the senses, proceeds then to the understanding, and ends with reason. There is
nothing higher than reason.
Good governance
According to Rousseau s social contract theory, people come together and surrender some freedom to state so that the
state can serve public interest. This makes the government a trustee.
Kant gives his ideas of Governance in Perpetual Peace: A philosophical sketch: The state of peace is not a state of nature,
which is rather a state of war, so must the state of peace is established .
Socrates said that Country should be run by virtuous people, people who are knowledge seeker.
Plato gave the concept of Philosopher King in his book The Republic.
Aristotle laid the foundation of good governance. The one that is ruled is like the master of flutes and the ruler is the flute
player who makes use of it.
Ultimately we must endeavor to establish Plato s model of the just state which is that of a healthy organism where all the
parts function for the benefit of the whole and whole benefits the parts.
We need a government, writes Peter Drucker, the father of modern management, which knows how to govern and
does so. Not a government which administers, but a government which truly governs .
Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world
Prudence
As per Aristotle there are no absolute moral standard and any ethical theory must be firmly grounded in the
reality of human nature and ground reality.
Aristotle's theory of golden mean Moral behavior is the mean between two extremes - at one end is excess, at
the other deficiency
Socrates has taught us to question our environment and it is also fundamental duty to develop
scientific temperament and spirit of inquiry. One can be atheist or agnostic unless one is convinced
of the existence of God. However one must also have emotional intelligence to understand the
religious sensitivity of others. Insulting the faith of others exhibits lack of tolerance.
Inculcation of values like tolerance, brotherhood, fraternity, equality among others will help to
change both misogynistic attitude and tendency for Blasphemy.
Prejudice and discrimination
Prejudice and discrimination are understood as related but different concepts. Prejudice is the
affective component of stereotyping (stereotype is itself the cognitive component). Discrimination is
one of the behavioral components of prejudicial reactions.
In the view of intergroup attitudes, prejudice represents the emotional response and discrimination
refers to actions.
Prejudice is prejudgment, or forming an opinion before becoming aware of the relevant facts of a
case. The word is often used to refer to preconceived, usually unfavorable, judgments toward people
or a person because of gender, political opinion, social class, age, disability, religion, sexuality,
race/ethnicity, language, nationality or other personal characteristics.
Discrimination is actions based on prejudice leading to marginalization of certain section.
For Examples: Recent attacks on African nationals in India:
Prejudice - negative emotions of hate and disgust against them.
Discrimination disallowing Africans to live in certain locality in Goa.
Edward Snowden, a computer expert and former CIA administrator, released confidential Government documents
to the press about the existence of Government surveillance 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 their 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 (250 words)
Laws are part of ethics and purpose of making any law is enforcement of societal morality. But sometime laws may come
in conflict with the prevailing morality and this creates ethical dilemma.
If Edward Snowden followed the Espionage act of 1971 and did not leak state secret then
a) He would have followed professional ethics and contract. He would be loyal to his organisation, CIA.
b) He would have not allegedly put national security in jeopardy.
c) International reputation of his government would not have been marred.
However stand of Snowden can be justified based on following ethical principle
a) Gandhiji advocated for breaking the unjust law. He said, unjust law is itself a species of .
b) As per the social contract theory people do give up some of their rights to the sovereign power to protect
rest of their rights. However how much right has to be given up will be decided by people. In this case permission of
surveillance will have to be taken by government; otherwise social contact will be broken.
c) Socrates also advocated for truth to if sovereign authority is using power unjustly.
d) As per third Principle of categorical imperative one has to behave like a of kingdom of . This
means that one has to impose moral principle on oneself.
e) This will also enable value of transparency and accountability in administration.
Based on above analysis I agree that actions were ethically justified even if legally prohibited. Government
cannot beak the trust reposed by people. Even Chanakya has mentioned in but it was declared
state policy.
If such surveillance is in national interest then government must pass a law on it and inform people. This will ensure
apolitical use of it, only for national interest.
Ethics QIP-Lec:7
Thomas Hobbes advocated that Laws have moral foundation. Laws in fact are the subset of ethics. Purpose of law is
to bring justice in society, which as per Aristotle, is the foundation for stability in society.
However when injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty
Gandhiji has said, An unjust law itself is specie of violence .
St. Augustine who said, law is no law at
In Bhagwad Gita, Lord Krishna asked Arjuna to raise his weapons and destroy the enemy to establish Dharma in
the society.
Gandhiji fought to overthrow the British Empire due to their unjust rule. Dadabhai Naoroji, G. K. Gokhale, M.G.
Ranade resisted the British financial Plunder from India.
There was huge protest in India against section 66A of the IT act which violated freedom of speech. People also
protected against proposal to distort . There has also been movement against Section 377 which
criminalizes homosexuality, infringing on the fundamental rights of autonomy, intimacy, and identity of LGBT
community.
Resistance by citizens have yielded in removal of unjust laws and harmonizing laws with ethics.
one indivisible whole." - Mahatma Gandhi
Plato gave the concept of Unity of virtues. As per him, a person cannot possess one of the cardinal virtues
(prudence, temperance, courage, and Justice) without possessing them all. Elvis Presley said values are like
fingerprints. are the same, but you leave them all over everything you do . Hence we cannot do
right in one department whilst attempting to do wrong in another department. Our character will affect our
behaviour in every sphere of our life.
For instance we cannot do immoral act of domestic violence, and be ethically blind towards practices of child
labour and patriarchy and at the same time be ethically competent in professional sphere. It will hamper work
culture, dedication among others and can also lead to corporate fraud.
Mahatma Gandhi while working for independence of India also was compassionate towards animals. He used
to do community service and clean his own toilets. He has one wholesome character.
To make life one indivisible whole we must inculcate the value of integrity in us - to make our behaviour non-
selective.
Examine the relevance of the following in the context of civil service:
(a) Transparency
(b) Fairness and justice
(c) Courage of conviction
(d) Spirit of service
Transparency
Transparency means that the criteria, process and systems of decision-making are openly known to all in a
public manner.
It requires spirit of public service, work culture of record keeping and information sharing.
It helps in:
It requires fulfillment of social contract principles, duties, inclusive ethical standard, and ethical governance
principles.
It is prerequisite for the credibility of the administration, acceptance of its decision and sense of equality.
Fairness and justice is exhibited in affirmative actions like agriculture subsidy, reservations; tribal displacement
and proper rehabilitation; temple entry, triple talaq and other issues of women; balanced regional growth etc to
bring into reality the slogan of ka Saath Sab ka .
Courage of conviction is the ability to stand for decision even in adverse situation.
Strong conviction and emotions of empathy and compassion is required to exhibit courage.
Courage is fundamental to exhibit integrity. Due to high level of political corruption, hostile work
environment, non-cooperating citizens in militant or naxal prone areas etc civil servants need to have courage
of conviction to maintain their integrity and act on higher civil service value of public service.
Officers like Satyendra Dubey and S. Manjunath gave their life to fight corruption in civil services.
Spirit of service spirit of service is dedication with high emotional component.
It requires Emotional intelligence to understand the suffering of others and internal motivation through
philosophies like Nishkama Karma.
It is important for fulfilling constitutional promise of justice and equality; Antyodaya reaching to the last
person and hence creating of a society.
For example recently DM of Manipur built road by pooling money by various stakeholders. New emerging
challenges like disaster management, migration to digital ecosystem, issues in cooperative federalism etc.
with old, persistent and humungous problem of poverty and illiteracy calls for spirit of service to energize
and transform our nation.
Emotion Vs Reason
Different schools of philosophy are divided in this regard. Rationalists in moral philosophy hold that
moral judgment can be based on reasoning alone.
Socrates inspired people to raise questions and search for answers. He said. unexamined life is
not worth .
Aristotle said, is a rational . He laid emphasis on using the mind.
Immanuel Kant lying emphasis on reason said, is nothing above .
Utilitarian Principle of John Stuart Mill aims to bring greatest good for greatest number of people.
This is also based on reason.
Our constitutional philosophy also makes it a duty of citizens to develop scientific temper and
spirit of enquiry.
Max Weber wanted to keep emotion out of bureaucracy to create rational .
Emotion Vs Reason
1. Sound at components of emotional intelligence - Self-awareness; Self-regulation; Social awareness; Empathy and
Motivation
2. Effective communication about his emotional perception, assimilation and state of mind.
3. Satisfied and contended - due to control of negative emotion of greed and hedonism.
4. Positive attitude despite unfavorable conditions. Christopher Nolan puts beautifully in his movie (Batman Begins)
Why do we fall?. So that we learn to pick ourselves .
5. Value expression if one can manage negative emotion of fear
6. Commitment and dedication - Nishkama Karma
7. Not get disturbed by accusation or rumors - as Gandhiji said, Nobody can hurt me without my permission .
8. Endurance in adversity - As Sahir lyrics says
Main Zindagi Ka Saath Nibhata Chala Gaya
Kant gives his ideas of Governance in Perpetual Peace: A philosophical sketch. He says state of peace is not a state
of nature, which is rather a state of war, so must the state of peace is .
So to maintain peace and order in society a system of governance must be established. Such a system has been
proposed by Rousseau. He says in his Theory of social contract that people come together and surrender some
freedom to state so that the state can serve public interest. This makes the government a trustee. The idea was further
strengthened by John Locke.
In the governance setup the responsibility of government is very high
Socrates said that Country should be run by virtuous people, people who are knowledge seeker.
Plato gave the concept of Philosopher King in his book The Republic.
Aristotle laid the foundation of good governance. The one that is ruled is like the master of flutes and the ruler is the
flute player who makes use of it.
Ultimately we must endeavor to establish model of the just state which is that of a healthy organism where all
the parts function for the benefit of the whole and whole benefits the parts.
need a writes Peter Drucker, the father of modern management, which knows how to govern and
does so. Not a government which but a government which truly .
Ethics and administration
Administration is the management of public affair. Sovereign authority gets the right of administration through
social contract. Value driven administration is honoring this contract and working for the welfare of people. In
fact, the term has been derived from Latin word administrare meaning to . Thus
administration inherently has the value of .
Various ancient and modern texts has emphasized on value based administration
Arthashastra urged the ruler to remain compassionate towards his subject. It says about the king, the
happiness of his subjects lies his happiness; in their welfare his .
of Plato talks about the statecraft and administration based on ethics and
morality.
Indian constitution has made India a with the obligation of safeguarding fundamental rights
and liberty of citizens.
To strengthen value based administration, 2 nd ARC has recommended foundational values of civil services
which include empathy, compassion, tolerance, impartiality, non-partisanship among others.
Ethics and administration
Working as per message of Karl Barth, Joy is the simplest form of gratitude .
From John Keats' epic poem, Endymion, 1818:
A thing of beauty is a joy forever:
Its loveliness increases; it will never
Pass into nothingness
The Joy Of Little Things written by Robert William Service
Take wealth, take fame, but leave to me,
O Lord of Life, just Little Things.
The secret of happiness you see does not lie in seeking more, but in developing the capacity to enjoy less.
Socrates.
Virtues like happiness must be desired for themselves. Aristotle
Happiness is when what we think, what we say and what we do are in harmony. Mahatma Gandhi
Quest for greater good in life
Emotional development
1. Satisfied and contended - due to control of negative emotion of greed and hedonism.
2. Not get disturbed by accusation or rumors - as Gandhiji said, can hurt me without my
.
3. Endurance in adversity - As Sahir lyrics says
Main Zindagi Ka Saath Nibhata Chala Gaya
Har Fikar Ko Dhuen Mein Udata Chala Gaya
4. One's life has value so long as one attributes value to the life of others - Simone de Beauvoir
Quest for greater good in life
Christopher Nolan puts beautifully in his movie (Batman Begins) Why do we fall?. So that we
learn to pick ourselves .
have been bent and broken, but I hope into a better Emily Dickenson
We must live like different cells of an organism, where health of one affects the health of others.
Quotes on Life
Religion is to morality what water is to the seed that is sown in the soil. The essence of every religion is to follow the
path of morality to realize the God. Thus, morality is implicit in every religion. In fact, there is no religion higher than
Truth and Righteousness.
Religion is one source of morality but correct understanding and interpretation is required. Many people have used
religion very positively in public sphere like Gandhi ji. Emily Dickenson wrote -
Swamiji, in one his lectures, says, Love and charity for the whole human race, that is the test of true
religiousness.
Islam makes charity compulsory in form of Zakat for its followers.
Buddhism and Jainism also lay down the ethical path for achieving Nirvana (liberation).
Ethics and religion
Gandhi ji has rightly said: - As soon as we lose the moral basis, we cease to be religious. There is no such thing as
religion overriding morality. Man, for instance cannot be untruthful, cruel and incontinent and claim to have God on his
side
Right to rebel
Human Rights Declaration of the U.N states that man has the right to rebel against tyranny. It says it is
essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and
oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law.
As per Edward Coke for rule of law to operate, people must be the source of rule of law.
Rousseau in his social contract theory has said that people has the right to overthrow sovereign authority if
sovereign authority fails to protect their liberty.
Gandhiji has said, An unjust law itself is specie of violence .
St. Augustine who said, law is no law at
Peacefulness in the face of a grave wrong that could only be stopped by violence would be a sin. - Saint Augustine.
In Bhagwad Gita, Lord Krishna asked Arjuna to raise his weapons and destroy the enemy to establish Dharma in the
society.
Dante's Inferno says the darkest places in hell are reserved for those who in time of moral crisis preserve their
neutrality .
Utilitarianism also supports violence, but only if the intended good is much more than the harm caused by violence.
Harm principle of John Stuart Mill
Arjuna in Mahabharata says: - see no being in this world without violence.
Right to rebel
However, it is also true that as long as people use violence to combat violence, we will always have violence.
True progress comes through peace and forgiveness. Gandhi ji has said, There is no hope for the aching world
except through the narrow and straight path of non-violence."
Thus, what is required is a negative attitude towards violence. It shall be used only as a last resort. Wisdom and
emotional intelligence are required to judge the timing and proportion of violence. It must also be proportional
to the violation of human rights and moral principles, and its objective must be to re-establish peace.
Should state take tough measure in national interest, constricting citizens rights
Socrates believed that philosophy should achieve practical results for the greater well-being of society.
As per Aristotle there are no absolute moral standard and any ethical theory must be firmly grounded in the
reality of human nature and ground reality.
Kautilya
Machiavelli
Friedrich Nietzsche has also glorified the war and takes it as an agent of change and progress.
Peacefulness in the face of a grave wrong that could only be stopped by violence would be a sin. - Saint Augustine.
In Bhagwad Gita, Lord Krishna asked Arjuna to raise his weapons and destroy the enemy to establish Dharma in the
society.
Dante's Inferno says the darkest places in hell are reserved for those who in time of moral crisis preserve their
neutrality .
National interest is summum Bonum in many philosophies.
The crisis of ethical values in modern times is traced to a narrow perception of the good life. Discuss.
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.
Do you think civil disobedience is ethical?
Our attitudes towards life, work, other people and society are generally shaped unconsciously by the
family and social surroundings in which we grow up. Some of these unconsciously acquired attitudes and
values are often undesirable in the citizens of modern democratic and egalitarian society. (a) Discuss
such undesirable values prevalent in educated Indians. (b) How can such undesirable attitudes be
changed and socio-ethical values be cultivated in the aspiring and serving civil servants?
weak can never forgive; forgiveness is the attribute of the
strong.
As a senior officer in the Ministry, you have access to important policy decisions and upcoming big
announcements such as road constructions projects before they are notified in the public domain. The
Ministry is about to announce a mega road project for which the drawings are already in place. Sufficient
care was taken by the planners to make use of the government land with the minimum land acquisition from
private parties. Compensation rate for private parties was also finalized as per government rules. Care was
also taken to minimize deforestation. Once the project is announced, it is expected that there will be a huge
spurt in real estate prices in and around that area.
Meanwhile, the Minister concerned insists that you realign the road in such a way that it comes closer to his
20 acres farmhouse. He also suggests that he would facilitate the purchase of a big plot of land in your wife
name at the prevailing rate which is very nominal, in and around the proposed mega road project. He also
tries to convince you by saying that there is no harm in it as he is buying the land legally. He even promises
to supplement your savings in case you do not have sufficient funds to buy the land. However, by the act of
realignment, a lot of agricultural lands has to be acquired, thereby causing a considerable financial burden
on the government, and also the displacement of the farmers. As if this is not enough, it will involve cutting
down of a large number of trees denuding the area of its green cover.
Faced with this situation, what will you do? Critically examine various conflicts of interest and explain what
your responsibilities are as a public servant. (250 words)
Psychology Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behaviour;
moral and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion.
Emotional intelligence
Sociology Human Values lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers
and administrators; role of family society and educational institutions in
inculcating values.
Philosophy Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world.
Probity in Governance
Ethical Governance
Spirit of Public Service
Civil service values
Ethical laws, rules,
Social level Tolerance regulations.
Individual level Tools of ethical
Justice Value conflict
Equality Dignity and Honour governance:
Fraternity Persuasion Autonomy/Freedom Probity
Ethical Ecosystem Rights (& Implied Accountability
Public Good EI duties) Transparency
Peace Codes of Ethics,
Codes of Conduct
Social Contract Public Interest Charters
Common Good Work culture
Sarvodaya participation
Trusteeship Quality service delivery
e-governance
Corporate governance.
Challenges of corruption.
Techniques of Persuasion
Probity in Governance
Work culture
Quality of service delivery
Utilization of public funds
Challenges of corruption.
Ethics QIP-Lec:9
Theme: Persuasion to change the societal attitude
You are recently posted as district development officer of a district. Shortly thereafter you found that there is
considerable tension in the rural areas of your district on the issue of sending girls to schools.
The elders of the village feel that many problems have come up because girls are being educated and they
are stepping out of the safe environment of the household. They are of the view that the girls should be
quickly married off with minimum education. The girls are also competing for jobs after education, which
have traditionally remained in boys’ exclusive domain, adding to unemployment amongst male population.
The younger generation feels that in the present era, girls should have equal opportunities for education and
employment, and other means of livelihood. The entire locality is divided between the elders and the
younger lot and further sub-divided between sexes in both generations. You come to know that in Panchayat
or in other local bodies or even in busy crossroads, the issue is being acrimoniously debated.
One day you are informed that an unpleasant incident has taken place. Some girls were molested, when they
were en route to schools. The incident led to clashes between several groups and a law and order problem
has arisen. The elders after heated discussion have taken a joint decision not to allow girls to go to school
and to socially boycott all such families, which do not follow their dictate.
1. What steps would you take to ensure girls’ safety without disrupting their education?
2. How would you manage and mould matriarchic attitude of the village elders to ensure harmony in the
inter-generation?
Theme: Persuasion to change the societal attitude
Theme: Persuasion to change the societal attitude
Sivakasi in Tamil Nadu is known for its manufacturing clusters on firecrackers and matches. The local
economy of the area is largely dependent on firecrackers industry. It has led to tangible economic
development and improved standard of living in the area.
So far as child labour norms for hazardous industries like firecrackers industry are concerned, International
Labour Organization (ILO) has set the minimum age as 18 years. In India, however, this age is 14 years.
The units in industrial clusters of firecrackers can be classified into registered and non-registered entities.
One typical unit is household-based work. Though the law is clear on the use of child labour employment
norms in registered/non-registered units, it does not include household-based works. Household-based
work means children working under the supervision of their parents/relatives. To evade child labour norms,
several units project themselves as household-based works but employ children from outside. Needless to
say that employing children saves the costs for these units leading to higher profits to the owners.
On your visit to one of the units at Sivakasi, the owner takes you around the unit which has about 10-15
children below 14 years of age. The owner tells you that in his household-based unit, the children are all his
relatives. You notice that several children smirk, when the owner tells you this. On deeper enquiry, you figure
out that neither the owner nor the children are able to satisfactorily establish their relationship with each
other.
1. Bring out and discuss the ethical issues involved in the above case.
2. What would be your reaction after your above visit?
Theme: Persuasion to change the societal attitude
Theme: Persuasion to change the societal attitude
You are the Sarpanch of a Panchayat. There is a primary school run by the government in your area. Midday
meals are provided to the children attending the school. The Headmaster has now appointed a new cook in
the school to prepare the meals. However, when it is found that the cook is from Dalit community, almost
half of the children belonging to higher castes are not allowed to take meals by their parents. Consequently
the attendance in the school falls sharply. This could result in the possibility of discontinuation of midday
meal scheme, thereafter of teaching staff and subsequent closing down the school.
1. Discuss some feasible strategies to overcome the conflict and to create right ambience.
2. What should be the responsibilities of different social segments and agencies to create positive social
ambience for accepting such changes?
Theme: Persuasion to change the societal attitude
Theme: Balancing the interest of two or more section of society
ABC Ltd. is a large transnational company having diversified business activities with a huge shareholder base.
The company is continuously expanding and generating employment. The company, in its expansion and
diversification programme, decides to establish a new plant at Vikaspuri, an area which is underdeveloped.
The new plant is designed to use energy efficient technology that will help the company to save production
cost by 20%. The company’s decision goes well with the Government policy of attracting investment to
develop such underdeveloped regions. The Government has also announced tax holiday for five years for the
companies that invest in underdeveloped areas. However, the new plant may bring chaos for the inhabitants
of Vikaspuri region which is otherwise tranquil. The new plant may result in increased cost of living, aliens
migrating to the region, disturbing the social and economic order. The company sensing the possible protest
tried to educate the people of Vikaspuri region and public in general that how its Corporate Social
Responsibility (CSR) policy would help overcome the likely difficulties of the residents of Vikaspuri region. In
spite of this the protests begin and some of the residents decided to approach the judiciary as their plea
before the Government did not yield any result.
(a) Identify the issues involved in the case.
(b) What can be suggested to satisfy Company’s goal and to address the resident’s concern.
Theme: Balancing the interest of two or more section of society
Theme: Balancing the interest of two or more section of society
There is a disaster-prone State having frequent landslides, forest fires, cloudbursts, flash floods and
earthquakes, etc. Some of these are seasonal and often unpredictable. The magnitude of the disaster is
always unanticipated. During one of the seasons, a cloudburst caused devastating floods and landslides
leading to high casualties. There was major damage to infrastructure like roads, bridges and power
generating units. This led to more than 100000 pilgrims, tourists and other locals trapped across different
routes and locations. The people trapped in your area of responsibility included senior citizens, patients in
hospitals, women and children, hikers, tourists, ruling party’s regional president along with his family,
additional jail. As secretary State and prisoners in jail.
As a civil services officer of the State, what would be the order in which you would rescue these people and
why? Give justifications.
Theme: Good and ethical governance: inclusiveness of vulnerable section
Suppose the Government of India is thinking of constructing a dam in a mountain valley bond by forests and
inhabited by ethnic communities. What rational policy should it resort to in dealing with unforeseen
contingencies
Theme: Good and ethical governance: inclusiveness of vulnerable section
In our country, the migration of rural people to towns and cities is increasing drastically. This is causing
serious problems both in the rural as well as in the urban areas. In fact, things are becoming really
unmanageable. Can you analyze this problem in detail and indicate not only the socio-economic but
also the emotional and attitudinal factors responsible for this problem? Also, distinctly bring out why —
1. Educated rural youth are trying to shift to urban areas;
2. Landless poor people are migrating to urban slums;
3. Even some farmers are selling off their land and trying to settle in urban areas taking up petty jobs.
What feasible steps can you suggest which will be effective in controlling this serious problem of our
country?
Theme: Good and ethical governance: inclusiveness of vulnerable section
Land needed for mining, dams and other large-scale projects is acquired mostly from Adivasis, hill
dwellers and rural communities. The displaced persons are paid monetary compensation as per the
legal provisions. However, the payment is often tardy. In any case, it cannot sustain the displaced
families for long. These people do not possess marketable skills to engage in some other occupation.
They end up as low paid migrant labourers. Moreover, their living is destroyed. Thus, the benefits of
traditional ways of community development go to industries, industrialists and urban communities
whereas the costs are passed on to these poor helpless people. This unjust distribution of costs and
benefits is unethical. Suppose you have been entrusted with the task of drafting a better
compensation-cum-rehabilitation policy for such displaced persons, how would you approach the
problem and what would be the main elements of your suggested policy?
Theme: You are facing resistance as an honest officer to work with integrity in the organisation
You are a no-nonsense, honest officer. You have been transferred to a remote district to head a department that is
notorious for its inefficiency and callousness. You find that the main cause of the poor state of affairs is the indiscipline of
a section of employees. They do not work themselves and also disrupt the working of others. You first warned the
troublemakers to mend their ways or else face disciplinary action. When the warning had little effect, you issued a show
cause notice to the ringleaders. As a retaliatory measure, these troublemakers instigated a woman employee amongst
them to file a complaint of sexual harassment against you with the Women’s Commission. The Commission promptly
seeks your explanation. The matter is also publicized in the media to embarrass you further. Some of the options to
handle this situation could be as follows :
1. Give your explanation to the Commission and go soft on the disciplinary action.
2. Ignore the Commission and proceed firmly with the disciplinary action.
3. Brief your higher-ups, seek directions from them and act accordingly.
Suggest any other possible option(s). Evaluate all of them and suggest the best course of action, giving your reasons for
it.
Values one must show:
i. Courage
ii. Fortitude
iii. Integrity
iv. Honesty – virtue, like happiness must be desired for themselves. Honesty is morally uplifting, it boosts dignity and self-
respect.
Arguments:
▪ As per Kant’s categorical imperative one has to act as per one’s moral duty in every circumstance.
▪ Nishkama Karma –
▪ Gandhiji said, “Nobody needs to wait for anyone else to adopt a humane and enlightened course of action”.
▪ Rabindranath Tagore has written, “Jodi tor daak sune keu naa aashe, tabe ekle chalo re”. If they answer not to your call
walk alone.
▪ Self-esteem is higher human need as per Maslow’s need of hierarchy
▪ Virtue, like happiness must be desired for themselves.
▪ Satya mev Jayate
Steps one can take:
i. Emotional intelligence
ii. Yoga/meditation
iii. Listening to devotional songs
Theme: Arguments against corruption
Suppose one of your close friends, who is also aspiring for civil services, comes to you for discussing some of the
issues related to ethical conduct in public service. He raises the following points :
1. In the present times, when unethical environment is quite prevalent, individual attempts to stick to ethical
principles may cause a lot of problems in one’s career. It may also cause hardship to the family members as
well as risk to one’s life. Why should we not be pragmatic and follow the path of least resistance, and be
happy with doing whatever good we can?
2. When so many people are adopting wrong means and are grossly harming the system, what difference would
it make if only a small minority tries to be ethical? They are going to be rather ineffective and are bound to
get frustrated.
3. If we become fussy about ethical considerations, will it not hamper the economic progress of our country?
After all, in the present age of high competition, we cannot afford to be left behind in the race of
development.
4. It is understandable that we should not get involved in grossly unethical practices, but giving and accepting
small gratifications and doing small favours increases everybody’s motivation. It also makes the system more
efficient. What is wrong in adopting such practices?
Critically analyze the above viewpoints. On the basis of this analysis, what will be your advice to your friend?
Psychology Attitude: content, structure, function; its influence and relation with thought and behaviour; moral
and political attitudes; social influence and persuasion.
Emotional intelligence
Sociology Human Values – lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers
and administrators; role of family society and educational institutions in
inculcating values.
Philosophy Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world.
Probity in Governance
Ethical Governance
Probity in Governance