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.
What do you understand by global ethics in today's world? Highlight the role that global ethics can play in achieving universally accepted goals.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2020
Ethics in International RelationsDimensions of Ethics
"To see what is right and not do it is a lack of courage." - Confucius
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2024–2025
Human ValuesDimensions of Ethics
Explain the meaning of the following quotations and discuss their contemporary relevance. The senses deceive from time to time, and it is prudent never to trust wholly those who have deceived us even once.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2023
Dimensions of EthicsWorld Thinkers
"Man by nature is a political animal". Explain with reference to Aristotle's idea of the state in the life of the society.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2018–2019
World Thinkers
Discuss what the following quotes mean to you. "It is not because men's desires are strong that they act ill; it is because their consciences are weak." - J.S. Mill
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
World ThinkersDimensions of Ethics
Do you think the utilitarian approach can be the foundation of morals and legislation?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
Ethical TheoriesWorld Thinkers
What does the following quotation mean to you? a) "The greatest wealth is to live content with little"-Plato
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
World ThinkersHuman Values
As per reports, if global warming is not controlled today, it might become irreversible. Is this is unfair to future generations?
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2019
Environmental EthicsWorld Thinkers
Although utilitarianism is arguably the most reason-based approach to determining right and wrong, it has obvious limitations. Discuss.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper
Ethical TheoriesWorld Thinkers
"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." Elaborate this Aristotelian ethics with examples.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2019
World ThinkersEthical Theories
The only thing we learn from history is that we learn nothing from history.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
World ThinkersDimensions of Ethics
"The world will not be destroyed by those who do evil, but by those who watch them without doing anything." - Albert Einstein.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper
Dimensions of EthicsIndian Thinkers
"Character may almost be called the most effective means of persuasion." - Aristotle
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2023
Social Influence and PersuasionHuman Values
"In contemporary societies witnessing erosion of moral values, legalistic and utilitarian ethical systems often fall short in addressing deeper questions of character and moral motivation." In this context, can virtue ethics offer a sustainable foundation for ethical revival? Critically examine with particular reference to the role of public leadership and responsibility of citizens.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Ethical TheoriesIndian Thinkers
Explain the statement "Wisdom is the acceptance of truth".
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Dimensions of EthicsWorld Thinkers
"The sad truth is that most evil is done by people who never make up their minds to be either good or evil." - Hannah Arendt
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Dimensions of EthicsWorld Thinkers
"Capabilities are clearly manifested only when they have been realised." – Simone de Beauvoir.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
World ThinkersHuman Values
What is Kant's categorical imperative? How does it compare with the doctrine of Nishkama Karma?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2022
Indian ThinkersWorld Thinkers
In a democracy, the purpose of the government should be to make it easy for the people to do good and difficult to do wrong. Comment. (b) 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.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2020
World ThinkersEthical Theories
To have seen what is right and not to do it is want of courage. (Confucius). Discuss.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
World ThinkersDimensions of Ethics
Given below are quotations of moral thinkers/philosophers. Bring out what they mean to you in the present context: (a) Courage is the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can't practice any other virtue consistently.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2020
World ThinkersHuman Values
What does each of the following quotations mean to you? a) "Human behaviour flows from three main sources: desire, emotions, and knowledge"-Plato
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper
World ThinkersDimensions of Ethics
"Man by nature is a political animal". Explain with reference to Aristotle's idea of the state in the society.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2018
World Thinkers
Success may not lead you to happiness, but happiness is definitely the key to success. Discuss this statement based on your understanding of happiness and success.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2022
Dimensions of EthicsHuman Values
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 (b) "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. (c) "In matters of conscience, the law of the majority has no place." - Mahatma Gandhi.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
Indian ThinkersWorld Thinkers
“The morality of the individual and the morality of the state are one and the same.” Plato
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2022
World ThinkersDimensions of Ethics
"Good government...depends...(on) the qualities of the human beings composing the society over which the government is exercised." J S Mill
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2025
World ThinkersFamily, Society and Education
Aristotle quote highlight the significance of self-control in face of utilisation of power.
Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2024
World ThinkersHuman Values
Analyze Plato's Theory of Virtue' in the Indian context.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper · CSE 2018
World ThinkersCivil Service Values
"He who is not contented with what he has would not be contented with what he would like to have." - Socrates
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 1 topper
World ThinkersHuman Values