GS4 · 10 marks · 150 words

While some ethical approaches consider an action to be ethical based on results, other focus on means. Taking the example of Indian bureaucracy compare and examine how these approaches have played out for the benefit of citizens.

Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2018–2019

Ethical TheoriesEthical Dilemmas in GovernmentDimensions of EthicsCivil Service Values

Syllabus: Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in-human actions; dimensions of ethics; ethics - in private and public relationships. Human Values - lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators; role of family society and educational institutions in inculcating values.

How toppers approached it

From all 6 answers · about 170 words.

Opening

  • No separate opening67%
  • A definition33%

Body

  • Points83%
  • Points and prose17%

Close

  • No separate close67%
  • A summary17%
  • A way forward17%

The toppers’ answers

Kanishak KatariaAIR 1 · CSE 2018 · 172 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening

Ethics of any action can be determined through various dimensions such as

Body · points

i) Results: Means are subordinated to the end result. eg. Utilitarianism where Greatest Good of Greatest Number is promoted. This approach is visible in Environmental vs Developmental ethics as well as minority vs majority. eg. Construction of Dam for hydropower & displacement of people living near the flood plains. Here the means (violating the livelihood rights) of the few people are overlooked for the gains (electricity generation for masses &

prevention of floods).

(ii) MEANS : This is the teleological approach which focuses on means as much as the ends.

Close

Any action though good can't be justified if adopted through false unethical means.

This is also called VIRTUE APPROACH, JUSTICE APPROACH.

eg. India has always protected the rights of every citizens & even enemy aliens such as Kasab inspite of the threat to National security.

Though means approach can give short term losses, in long term it upholds the universal ethical principles & comes to the aid of the citizens.

More on Ethical Theories

A named framework used as a framework: consequentialism and utilitarianism, deontology and duty, virtue ethics, care ethics, and the tensions between them.

All GS4 questions on Ethical Theories