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.
"Man by nature is a political animal". Explain with reference to Aristotle's idea of the state in life of the society.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2018–2019
World ThinkersDimensions of Ethics
"Virtue lies in our power, and similarly so does vice; because where it is in our power to act, it is also in our power not to act." - Aristotle
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 5 toppers · CSE 2021–2022
World ThinkersDimensions of Ethics
"True peace is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of justice." Martin Luther King Jr
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2022–2023
Dimensions of EthicsWorld Thinkers
What do each of the following quotations mean to you? (a) "Enlightenment is man's emergence from his self-incurred immaturity."
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2021–2022
World ThinkersDimensions of Ethics
Is greed wholly a vice or a trait of character that has both positive and negative sides? Could you relate it to the utilitarian philosophy that emphasizes pursuit of self interest by individuals as the basis of economic well being? (b) Are there some things that money shouldn't buy? Illustrate with examples.
20 marks · 250 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2018–2019
Dimensions of EthicsWorld Thinkers
"Act only according to that maxim through which you can at the same time will that it become a universal law."- Immanuel Kant
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2025
World ThinkersEthical Theories
What do each of the following quotations mean to you? (a) "The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts."- Marcus Aurelius
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2022–2024
Dimensions of EthicsHuman Values
Given below are three quotations of great thinkers. What do each of these quotations convey to you in the present context? "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 4 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
World ThinkersCivil Service Values
Max Weber's concept of bureaucracy was developed in the early 20th century, but it still influences administrative structures today. In what ways do you see Weberian bureaucracy as relevant in today's rapidly changing world?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2022–2024
Civil Service ValuesImpartiality and Objectivity
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 3 toppers · CSE 2024–2025
Dimensions of EthicsWorld Thinkers
What does each of the following quotations mean to you? Peace is not mere absence of war; it is presence of justice
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2023
Dimensions of EthicsWorld Thinkers
"Governance must be built not only on institutions, but also on ideas." In this context, discuss the philosophical foundations that should underpin ethical governance. How do these ideas contribute to ensuring probity in public life?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
Probity in GovernanceCivil Service Values
"That which isn't good for the hive, isn't good for the bee"- Marcus Aurelius
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2021
Dimensions of EthicsWorld Thinkers
'Happiness is a mysterious thing, to be found somewhere between too little and too much.'
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2023
Dimensions of EthicsHuman Values
Explain the meaning of the following quotations and discuss their contemporary relevance.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2023–2024
Ethics in International RelationsHuman Values
Justice without force is futile, force without justice is tyrannical.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2022
Dimensions of EthicsEthical Dilemmas in Government
"Disobedience is the true foundation of liberty. The obedient must be slaves." - Henry David Thoreau
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2021
World ThinkersDimensions of Ethics
Discuss the relevance of the following quotes to the present times. "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 3 toppers · CSE 2024–2025
Sources of Ethical GuidanceDimensions of Ethics
"It may be expedient but it is not just that some should have less in order that others may prosper." — John Rawls
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2021–2022
World ThinkersDimensions of Ethics
What do each of the following quotations mean to you? "The strength of a nation derives from the integrity of the home." - Confucius
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2025
Family, Society and EducationHuman Values
What do you understand by the terms Ethics and Morality? Why should one be moral in their life?
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2022
Dimensions of EthicsHuman Values
Given below are three quotations of great thinkers. What do each of these quotations convey to you in the present context? “How selfish soever man may be supposed, there are evidently some principles in his nature, which interest him in the fortune of others.” Adam Smith
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
World ThinkersHuman Values
Moral quality of an action should be judged by its consequences on human happiness. Discuss.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2022–2025
Ethical TheoriesWorld Thinkers
"If a good teacher becomes a soldier, the society will lose a good teacher and get a bad soldier" - Aristotle.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2022
Human ValuesWorld Thinkers
'People know what they do; frequently they know why they do what they do; but what they don't know is what what they do does.' Michel Foucault
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2022
Dimensions of EthicsEmotional Intelligence
Given below are three quotations of great thinkers. What do each of these quotations convey to you in the present context? (a) "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 2 toppers · CSE 2023–2025
World ThinkersAccountability and Ethical Governance
Plato's Republic divided the study of justice in two, as a virtue of people and of institutions. Comment.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2024
World ThinkersDimensions of Ethics
What does the following quotation mean to you? "The greatest wealth is to live content with little." - Plato.
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2023
World ThinkersHuman Values
What do each of the following quotations mean to you? (a) "All persons ought to endeavour to follow what is right, and not what is established." — Aristotle
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2022
World ThinkersIntegrity
To see what is right and not do it is the want of courage- Confucius
10 marks · 150 words · Answered by 2 toppers · CSE 2024–2025
World ThinkersDimensions of Ethics