Insights UPSC Mains Test Series - 2016

(General Studies Paper - 4)

Date​: 22 October 2016 ​Test - 19​ ​Duration​: 1.30 Hours

Marks​: 140
Questions​: 14

Answer questions in NOT MORE than the word limit specified for each in the
parenthesis. Content of the answer is more important than its length.

1. Differentiate between the ​following (​200 Words)

a) Ethical Altruism and Ethical Egoism

b) Selfishness and Self-care
c) Morality and Moral ideals
d) Virtue ethics and Duty ethics

2. Many foreign investors who are serious about investing in India have remarked
that ​India’s lax ethical standards, coupled with a rigid bureaucracy and weak
enforcement mechanisms, have hurt the country in many ways. Do you think that
business in India is held to a different set of ethical rules than those found in the
​ West? Discuss. (​150 Words)

3. There is a fear that Artificial Intelligence technology could develop consciousness

and pose existential threat to humanity. Do you agree? To allay such fears, what
​
role can ethics play? Comment. (​150 Words)

4. What do you understand by information ethics? Why is it important to study?

Illustrate ​ with suitable examples. (​150 Words)

5. What do you understand by feminist ethics? Discuss why is it important to study

​ it today. (​150 Words)

6. Given are four quotations of moral thinkers/philosophers. For each of these,

bring out what it means to you in the present context:
 a) “While we do our good works let us not forget that the real solution lies in a
​
world in which charity will have become unnecessary.” ​(​150 Words)

b) “It is vain to talk of the interest of the community, without understanding

​ what is the interest of the individual.” ​(​150 Words)

c) “If we don't believe in freedom of expression for people we despise, we don't

believe in it at all.” ​(​150 Words)

d) “The surest way to corrupt a youth is to instruct him to hold in higher esteem
those who ​ think alike than those who think differently.” ​(​150 Words)

7. “High moral character is not a precondition for great moral accomplishments.”

Critically comment. (​150 Words)

8. “Education is a system of imposed ignorance.” Do you agree? Justify. (​150

Words)

9. Ethical questions of fairness, responsibility, and burden-sharing have always

been central to the international politics of climate change and efforts to
construct an effective intergovernmental response to this problem. Critically
examine how does the Paris Agreement seek to address these ethical questions.
(​150 Words)

10. As technology and innovation advance, some see a more benevolent side to
drones. Discuss this benevolent side of drones and important tensions associated
​ with drone technology, even in their humanitarian uses. (​150 Words)

11. In contrast to the commercial lending model, microfinance is assumed to be

more ethical and a positive idea. Do you agree? What are the important ethical
​ questions debated around microfinance? Critically discuss. (​150 Words)