GS4 · 10 marks · 150 words

“May you live your life as if the maxim of your actions were to become universal law.”

Answered by 7 toppers · CSE 2024–2025

Syllabus: Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world.

How toppers approached it

From all 7 answers · about 170 words · 29% drew a diagram.

Opening

  • No separate opening71%
  • A definition14%
  • A restatement14%

Body

  • Points57%
  • Points and prose29%
  • Continuous prose14%

Close

  • A summary100%

The toppers’ answers

Raghav JhunjhunwalaAIR 4 · CSE 2025 · 168 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening

The above quote emphasizes upon leading by setting an example for rest of the world, as it has been argued that 'An action speaks louder than 1000 speeches.'

Body · points

Living life so that actions become universal law

  1. Great Acts of great people are often cited as examples, anecdotes which inspires young generations. Ex: Abhimanyu & Chakravyuh

  2. If Ethical conducts are replicated, it has important implications for Individual, society as well as their nation. Ex: Gandhijis Ahimsa & India's tolerance.

(3) This places added responsibility upon people in positions of power to act ethically & justifyingly.

(4) Idea of Reciprocity : Good conduct is often reciprocated & creates common good for all.

If Individuals do not act Responsibly their actions can't be stated as maxim for others to follow & are often criticized. Ex: Hitler, Duryodhan etc.

Diagram
4 Tenels of Kant's C.I. Humanity | Universality as Ends | in itself v Equality

Immanuel Kant stressed greatly upon human conduct which could be taken up as role model by others. society needs more of such leaders who can devote their life to such ideals.

Close · a summary

None written.

More on World Thinkers

Moral thinkers and philosophers from outside India used as a source: Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Kant, Mill, Rawls, Confucius and others.

All GS4 questions on World Thinkers