GS4 · 10 marks · 150 words

Certain actions can be right even though they do not maximize good consequences, for the rightness of such actions consists in their representing certain norms. Discuss with examples.

Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2022–2023

Ethical TheoriesDimensions of Ethics

Syllabus: Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in-human actions; dimensions of ethics; ethics - in private and public relationships. Human Values - lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators; role of family society and educational institutions in inculcating values.

How toppers approached it

From all 4 answers · about 170 words.

Opening

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Body

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Close

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The toppers’ answers

Waseem Ahmad BhatAIR 7 · CSE 2022 · 167 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening

The given line represents what Gandhiji meant when he said 'Means are more important than ends'.

As per deontological ethics, actions are judged as per their means and not consequences. Examples will clear:

Body · points

  1. Actions like satyagraha of Gandhiji led to misery for some people due to police action but it was right to fight against an unrepresentative government.

  2. Following individual liberty may lead to doctors following triaging (e.g. Covid) which leads to some deaths.

→ Moral as motive was saving life.

• Actions such as Sec 144 CrPC for public order may cause inconvenience but are considered as moral due to 'motive of public order'.

But not all actions that follow norms are moral:

• Fake encounters may follow social norm of killing criminals for 'swift justice' but is against constitutional morality.

• May lead to 'might is right' attitude due to different norms. e.g.: British in Tribal areas.

Close · a way forward

Thus, what is needed is compassionate actions along with rightness of heart to fulfill Kant's imperative.

More on Ethical Theories

A named framework used as a framework: consequentialism and utilitarianism, deontology and duty, virtue ethics, care ethics, and the tensions between them.

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