GS4 · 10 marks · 150 words

Wealthy CEOs and founders of successful businesses around the world are increasingly pledging to give away their wealth in philanthropy. Do you think that such a move is sufficient enough to bring about a positive change in the society? Critically examine.

Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2023–2024

Syllabus: Public/Civil service values and Ethics in Public administration: Status and problems; ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions; laws, rules, regulations and conscience as sources of ethical guidance; accountability and ethical governance; strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance; ethical issues in international relations and funding; corporate governance.

How toppers approached it

From all 8 answers · about 190 words · 25% drew a diagram.

Opening

  • No separate opening75%
  • A definition13%
  • A quotation13%

Body

  • Points and prose63%
  • Points38%

Close

  • A way forward63%
  • No separate close25%
  • A summary13%

The toppers’ answers

Aditya SrivastavaAIR 1 · CSE 2023 · 193 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening

Altruism and Gandhian trusteeship exhort us to give away extra wealth for equity.

Body · points

This is very well needed

  1. Currently we have high level of inequality → Gini coefficient of 0.35 in India.
  2. Bring positive change towards value of minimalism (Buddha)
  3. Life of satisfaction as uphold higher order needs (Maslow)
  4. Reduce lack of money among lower strata & better mental health ⊕ life of dignity (Article 21)

However just giving away wealth is not enough as —

  1. Giving up of responsibility to give efforts → as only donation isnt enough.
  2. No duty towards ensuring outcomes as channelization of money important
  3. Lack of local capacity → no NGOs are primary reason behind lack of outcome from CSR.
  4. Lack of transparency → auditing issues.
  5. Corruption among civil society → money doesnt reach intended beneficiary.

[Way forward]

  1. Uphold Aurelius stoicism → be the agent of change.
  2. Visit the poor → develop empathy
  3. Work at grassroot → ensure outcomes ⊕ get satisfaction.
  4. Work for Kant's duty dictum → actions speak louder than words.

Close · a way forward

This would uphold [Compassionate] [capitalism] with focus on consequentialism.

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