GS4 · 10 marks · 150 words

"Happiness is that state of consciousness which proceeds from the achievement of one's values." - Ayn Rand.

Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2020–2024

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 5 answers · about 160 words · 20% drew a diagram.

Opening

  • A definition60%
  • No separate opening40%

Body

  • Points60%
  • Points and prose20%
  • Continuous prose20%

Close

  • No separate close40%
  • A way forward40%
  • A summary20%

The toppers’ answers

Srishti DabasAIR 6 · CSE 2023 · 150 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening

Happiness is a subjective construction which varies from person to person and time to time.

As Aristotle said EUDIMONIA, i.e. happiness is in the achievement of justice. Indian philosophy also emphasises on value of 'Sukh' and 'Anand'.

Body · points and prose

Diagram
Achievement of One's Values --leads to--> Happy state of consciousness

(1) A child attaches immense value to friends → hence gets happy by joyfully playing with them.

(2) Someone who values 'wealth' → will be happy on earning profits, yet unhappy due to more yearning.

(3) Ecologist attaches value to environmental sustainability → will find happiness in conservation of ecology e.g. Medha Patkar

(4) person valuing healthy living → will be happy on balancing diet, exercising e.g. yoga enthusiast

(5) civil servant valuing public welfare → will find immense happiness in serving people e.g. IAS Saumya Pandey

(6) Someone valuing selflessness → will be immensely happy on helping others e.g. Sonu Sood

Close · a summary

Hence, happiness can be found in little things, yet huge contentment.

More on Human Values

Values as such and where they come from: lessons from the lives of leaders, reformers and administrators, and the values named in the syllabus.

All GS4 questions on Human Values