UPSC Mains 2022 · GS IV · Q2(b) · 10 marks · 150 words

It is believed that adherence to ethics in human actions would ensure in smooth functioning of an organization/system. If so, what does ethics seek to promote in human life? How do ethical values assist in the resolution of conflicts faced by him in his day-to-day functioning?

हिन्दी में

यह माना जाता है कि मानवीय कार्यों में नैतिकता का पालन किसी संगठन/व्यवस्था के सुचारु कामकाज को सुनिश्चित करेगा। यदि हाँ, तो नैतिकता मानव जीवन में किसे बढ़ावा देना चाहती है? दिन-प्रतिदिन के कामकाज में उसके सामने आने वाले संघर्षों के समाधान में नैतिक मूल्य किस प्रकार सहायता करते हैं?

Dimensions of Ethics Ethical Dilemmas in Government

How a topper answered the closest question

Toppers wrote this one in a test series: “Value conflicts are common in the public sphere of life to everyone and a public servant is not an exception to this. What are the common value conflicts that a public servant faces? How can a public servant overcome those value conflicts?”

Pratyush PandeyAIR 21 · CSE 2019 · 191 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening · a definition

Value conflict is a situation in which one is forced to choose between 2 or more competing values. Whatever one chooses, there must be some compromise on a principle.

Body · points

Value Conflicts of Public Servant

Personal Integrity V/s Professional Career eg compromise rules to benefit ruling party, but betray one's conscience → such as unfair contract allocation
Public duty V/s Professional Duty Duty to work for welfare of people, or to obey elected representative eg A scheme which is populist and harmful in long run.
Public Welfare V/s Self Interest Use of one's position for personal gain at cost of social welfare eg allotting contract to firm in which one's spouse is shareholder.

Overcoming Value Conflicts

Close · a summary

Step 1: Honesty: To acknowledge there is conflict

Step 2: Transparency: To disclose conflict to ensure there is no loss of public trust

Step 3: Integrity: To resolve conflict in fair manner eg Judges recuse from cases in which they have some personal stake.

Step 4: Set up mechanism to ensure conflicts are dealt with in future on these lines.

Thus, value conflicts are inevitable, but they must be handled ethically.

How toppers approach this question, and more on its topic: open the question.

Toppers’ answers to other close questions

Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Main) Examination 2022, General Studies Paper IV, Q2(b). The paper on upsc.gov.in. Themes and links to toppers’ answers are by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.