GS4 · Topic
Dimensions of Ethics
What ethics is and how it is divided: descriptive, normative and applied ethics, the essence and determinants of ethical action, consequences of ethics in human action.
503 UPSC Mains GS4 questions on Dimensions of Ethics that toppers answered in test series, CSE 2014–2025, most answered first. Open one to see how toppers opened, built and closed it.
The seeds of patriarchy and gender inequality are sown at home, which manifest as a weed at the societal level. Elucidate. Suggest an ethical framework to systematically address the issue of patriarchy in the Indian society.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 18 toppers · CSE 2017–2019
Family, Society and EducationDimensions of Ethics
A peculiar inhuman situation exists for the people fleeing from war zones - they cannot go back to their homeland for fear of being persecuted and no country is ready to bear their burden due to various reasons. Citing contemporary examples, discuss the ethical issues involved in such situations.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 17 toppers · CSE 2017–2020
Ethics in International RelationsEmpathy and Compassion
Having knowledge of an unethical act and allowing it to continue can spread a contagion that can affect multiple beings in society. Bertrand Russell
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 16 toppers · CSE 2020–2023
World ThinkersDimensions of Ethics
Gandhian ideals can be of immense help in dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic. Evaluate.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 16 toppers · CSE 2020–2023
Indian ThinkersHuman Values
Given below are quotations of moral thinkers/philosophers. Bring out what they mean to you in the present context: (a) Try not to become a man of success but rather try to become a man of value. Albert Einstein
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 16 toppers · CSE 2020–2023
Human ValuesWorld Thinkers
Man is not only a product of his environment but can also modify the environment. Do you agree with this view? Justify your answer with suitable examples.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 16 toppers · CSE 2020–2023
Family, Society and EducationDimensions of Ethics
It is argued by some that nuclear weapons have acted more as a deterrent than leading to war and mass destruction. In this context, discuss whether it is ethically right to possess nuclear weapons to create nuclear deterrence.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 16 toppers · CSE 2017–2020
Ethics in International RelationsDimensions of Ethics
Discuss John Stuart Mill's idea on freedom of thought and expression. Also, give reasons as to why, according to Mill, representative democracy is the best form of government despite its inherent weaknesses.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 15 toppers · CSE 2017–2019
World ThinkersDimensions of Ethics
It is sometimes believed that moral scrupulousness in one's private life automatically guarantees high moral stature in professional life. Do you agree? Justify your stand with logical arguments.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 15 toppers · CSE 2020–2023
Ethics in Private and Public LifeIntegrity
Undercover journalism exposes injustices, negligence, corruption and wrongdoing and yet going undercover to expose wrongdoing remains controversial. But, undercover journalists contend that they are fulfilling a fundamental duty of finding truth through their journalism. They argue that public enlightenment is the forerunner of justice and the foundation of democracy and the duty of the journalist is to further those ends by seeking truth and providing a fair and comprehensive account of events and issues. So, there are some supporters of this kind of journalism, which sometimes infringe the privacy of individuals. However, some journalists also urge avoiding surreptitious methods of gathering information except when traditional open methods will not yield information vital to the public. In this context, answer the following questions: 20 (a) What are the ethical issues involved in the practice of undercover journalism? (b) Do you support the practice of undercover investigation by journalists? Give reasons in support of your answer.
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 14 toppers · CSE 2017–2019
Dimensions of EthicsEthical Dilemmas in Government
Given below are two quotations of moral thinkers/philosophers. For each of these, bring out what it means to you in the present context. (a) "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated."
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 14 toppers · CSE 2017–2019
Environmental EthicsIndian Thinkers
The issues confronting humanity are multifaceted - from political conflicts and human rights abuses to pandemics and climate change. They are not contained within national borders, nor do they fit into the silos of separate government agencies or academic specialties. What is required is greater international cooperation, mutual respect, abiding by international laws and participative global decision-making. However, over the last decade, it has been observed that international relations have overshadowed these basic tenets of global governance and now we are at the verge of serious global catastrophic risks. When it comes to the structures of global governance, business as usual, is no longer an option. Not only an improvement in our understanding of risks is required but also taking responsibility to lead collective action for a coordinated global response. (a) What do you think are the factors hindering collective actions? (b) Provide a case for the moral obligation of the international community to come together and find solutions to the problems we face. (c) What should be the principles guiding such international cooperation?
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 13 toppers · CSE 2020–2021
Ethics in International RelationsAccountability and Ethical Governance
When people use a common resource without a coordinated plan the result is often a tragedy of the commons in which the resource is depleted. In this context, discuss the various ethical challenges arising out of utilization of Global Commons.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 13 toppers · CSE 2020–2021
Environmental EthicsEthics in International Relations
Given below are quotations of moral thinkers/philosophers. Bring out what they mean to you in the present context: (a) A nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens, but its lowest ones. Nelson Mandela.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 12 toppers · CSE 2019–2022
Empathy and CompassionHuman Values
Explain the main elements of integral humanism as propounded by Deen Dayal Upadhyay and highlight its contemporary relevance.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 12 toppers · CSE 2019–2022
Indian ThinkersHuman Values
With rapidly increasing use of information technology, what according to you is the role of ethics in cyber space?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 12 toppers · CSE 2019–2022
Technology and EthicsDimensions of Ethics
As the administrator in-charge of your area, you are witness to the widespread food wastage in lavish parties as well as in restaurants and eateries, on one hand and people starving due to inability to ensure one square-meal a day, on the other. Realizing that it is not the scarcity of resources, but the habit of people that is causing paucity in availability of food, you decide that certain measures are needed to be taken in order to deal with the issue of starvation at the grassroot level. 20 Given the situation, answer the following questions: (a) Identify the ethical issues involved in this case. (b) What measures would you take to deal with wastage of food in your area? (c) What explains this co-existence of affluence and hunger in developing countries like India?
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 12 toppers · CSE 2017–2019
Empathy and CompassionEthical Dilemmas in Government
The highest education is that which does not merely give us information but makes our life in harmony with all existence. Rabindranath Tagore
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 12 toppers · CSE 2019–2022
Family, Society and EducationHuman Values
Ultimately foreign policy of every country hinges upon the strength which the nation possesses. Strength may be military or financial and may be also...moral. Do you think ethical strength without military or financial muscle will be respected in today's world? Explain your position.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 10 toppers · CSE 2022–2025
Ethics in International RelationsDimensions of Ethics
Intolerance can be linked both to prejudices and value judgments. Elaborate with relevant examples. Also discuss how intolerance can be countered in a multicultural society like India.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 10 toppers · CSE 2017–2019
Human ValuesAttitude
Examine the different ethical issues involved in the use of public shaming as a punitive measure. Do you think this is an appropriate measure to address the problem of rising crime rates.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 10 toppers · CSE 2017–2019
Ethical Dilemmas in GovernmentProbity in Governance
"Periods of peace are the empty pages in the history books"
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 10 toppers · CSE 2022–2025
Dimensions of EthicsWorld Thinkers
Technical efficiency ensures resource utilization and social efficiency ensures fulfillment of social needs, what does ethical efficiency ensure? Do you think ethical efficiency is more important than technical and social efficiency? Why/Why not?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 10 toppers · CSE 2022–2025
Dimensions of EthicsCivil Service Values
Law succeeds in encouraging ethical behaviour in a society only when it is backed by conscience of its individuals. Discuss.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 9 toppers · CSE 2020–2021
Law and MoralitySources of Ethical Guidance
Promoting National interest and gaining influence and power in the International arena are the two basic mantras of every country's external policy. Since the last decade, country ABC has aggressively pursued power and expanded its business interests overseas. One of the businesses ABC was interested in developing was Defence equipment and Satellite technology. It was seeking markets for its space and defense products. The country encouraged its defense equipment manufacturing companies to find new markets and explore manufacturing collaborations with other countries. GAMA, one of the major defense equipment manufacturers, had recently struck a massive multi-billion dollar deal involving sensitive technology transfer and equipment with a country XYZ ruled by Military Junta. It was good business. As the business details became public, much criticism came GAMA's way because XYZ was an international pariah because of its poor human rights record. Further, the Junta indulged in a silent genocide of a minority ethnic community. There was a lot of uproar because the deal involved transferring sensitive technology that could be misused in the wrong hands. In short, it was good business but with questionable clients. Meanwhile, the government of ABC kept silent about the GAMA business deal, and other governments interpreted the silence as a subtle way of building relations with a nation that was an international pariah. (a) What are the ethical issues involved in the above case?
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 9 toppers · CSE 2021–2025
Corporate GovernanceEthics in International Relations
Genetic editing has several applications with its potential to edit the genomes of both somatic and germ cells. This allows for the ability to not only cure genetic diseases but to edit the characteristics of future offspring. The last few years have seen the development of several efficient, more precise genetic engineering techniques. However, with growing sophistication, various issues of bioethics have also have come to the forefront. (a) Discuss the ethical considerations associated with genome editing. (b) In the light of these ethical issues, provide an ethical framework on how this technology can be used for the betterment of humanity.
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 9 toppers · CSE 2020–2021
Technology and EthicsDimensions of Ethics
Celebrities are paid huge amounts by companies for endorsing products that at times turn out to be harmful for the consumers. Examine the ethical dimensions involved in such instances.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 9 toppers · CSE 2016–2019
Corporate GovernanceDimensions of Ethics
While discussing the ethical issues that journalists face on a regular basis, examine the causes of increased sensationalism in news media in recent times.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 9 toppers · CSE 2016–2019
Corporate GovernanceDimensions of Ethics
"Moral actions belong to the jurisdiction of the outward and inward court, both civil and domestic governor; I mean both the magistrate and conscience." - Locke
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 9 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
Dimensions of EthicsSources of Ethical Guidance
Issues around economic inclusion are not just about income gaps, there are many dimensions of moral and ethical choices as well. Discuss.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 9 toppers · CSE 2016–2019
Dimensions of EthicsEthical Dilemmas in Government