GS4 · Topic
World Thinkers
Moral thinkers and philosophers from outside India used as a source: Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Kant, Mill, Rawls, Confucius and others.
107 UPSC Mains GS4 questions on World Thinkers that toppers answered in test series, CSE 2017–2025, most answered first. Open one to see how toppers opened, built and closed it.
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
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
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
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
"Man cannot do right in one department of life whilst he is occupied in doing wrong in any other department." Gandhi. Do you think an individual's personal ethics impacts professional life or they both can be compartmentalized? Explain your position with relevant examples.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 11 toppers · CSE 2021–2025
Ethics in Private and Public LifeIndian Thinkers
"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
"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
Goodness is the result of internal imperatives to do what is right, not sanctions from moral rules or rewards from expected consequences. Do you agree? Discuss.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 9 toppers · CSE 2022–2025
Dimensions of EthicsEthical Theories
Given below are quotations of moral thinkers/philosophers. Bring out what they mean to you in the present context: (a) Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. Martin Luther King Jr.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2020–2021
World ThinkersHuman Values
"The end of law is not to abolish or restrain, but to preserve and enlarge freedom." - John Locke
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2023–2024
Law and MoralityWorld Thinkers
“Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle.” Martin Luther King Jr
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2022–2025
Human ValuesWorld Thinkers
What do each of the following quotations mean to you? "The wise man does not lay up his own treasures. The more he gives to others, the more he has for his own." - Lao Tzu
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2023–2024
Human ValuesWorld Thinkers
According to Aristotle, for persuasion, not only Ethos (credibility of the speaker) and Logos (logical argument) but Pathos (emotional connection to the audience) is equally important. Comment.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2017–2019
Social Influence and PersuasionWorld Thinkers
In law a man is guilty when he violates the rights of others. In ethics he is guilty if he only thinks of doing so. Immanuel Kant
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2020–2021
World ThinkersDimensions of Ethics
"The ultimate measure of a person is not where they stand in moments of comfort and convenience, but where they stand at times of challenge and controversy."- Martin Luther King Jr.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 7 toppers · CSE 2024
Human ValuesDimensions of Ethics
What does each of the following quotations convey to you in present context? a) "'Reason is, and ought only to be the slave of the passions, and can never pretend to any other office than to serve and obey them."- David Hume
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 7 toppers · CSE 2024
World ThinkersDimensions of Ethics
Is there a conflict between morality and freedom? Discuss with reference to Kant's views on categorical imperative.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 7 toppers · CSE 2017–2019
World ThinkersEthical Theories
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) If people scrutinize their own faults as they do the faults of others, mankind will be freed of all evil.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 7 toppers · CSE 2018–2020
Human ValuesDimensions of Ethics
“May you live your life as if the maxim of your actions were to become universal law.”
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 7 toppers · CSE 2024–2025
World ThinkersEthical Theories
"Reason may be essential in carrying out moral decisions, but the source of morality is human sentiment." David Hume
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
World ThinkersDimensions of Ethics
"Nonviolence is not servile passivity but a powerful moral force which makes for social transformation". Comment.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2018–2019
Indian ThinkersHuman Values
What do you understand by Amartya Sen's 'capability approach'? Analyse its significance in understanding social realities and in making a pro poor development strategy.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2018–2019
Indian ThinkersWorld Thinkers
“Men must have corrupted nature a little, for they were not born wolves, and they have become wolves.”
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
Dimensions of EthicsHuman Values
The mind of the superior man is conversant with righteousness; the mind of the mean man is conversant with gain. Confucius.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2019–2023
World ThinkersHuman Values
What do each of the following quotations mean to you? (a) Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or the darkness of destructive selfishness. – Martin Luther King Jr.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2021
Human ValuesDimensions of Ethics
Courage is the first of human qualities because it's the quality that guarantees the others.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2018–2020
Human ValuesDimensions of Ethics
"Ideas are the cornerstone of a strong public service framework globally." In the context of this statement, discuss the ideas of a philosopher whose ideas you believe are most pertinent to the civil services in India.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2024–2025
Indian ThinkersCivil Service Values
“A sense of duty is useful in work, but offensive in personal relations.” Russell
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2024–2025
Ethics in Private and Public LifeDimensions of Ethics
“Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will find a way around the laws.” Plato
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2024–2025
World ThinkersDimensions of Ethics
"Happiness is that state of consciousness which proceeds from the achievement of one's values." - Ayn Rand.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2020–2024
Human ValuesWorld Thinkers