A civil servant needs to be objective as well as empathetic. What do you understand by objectivity? Discuss its relationship with empathy.

Civil Servant requires certain kind of skills to administer well and become a change agent in society.

Objectivity means using scientific approach and reaching at reasoned conclusions. Not being swayed by prejudices, feelings, personal interests etc.

Empathy is defined as feeling the other's problem and knowing what other's are going through. This involves showing some lineancy if a condition demands For eg - Helping old women to get her old age pension

Objectivity & Empathy

It might at first look like contrasting qualities but both supplement each other :-

(1) Objectivity helps in reaching at objective decisions - while involve not favouring someone.

Showing Empathy, doesn't mean running away from objectivity. It is just showing extra care and determination to help the destitutes following all the available options

For eg - If a old women does not have required documents; then a sympathetic person will look for alternative approach and will find objective solution to help her.