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Important Terms in Ethics

With Meaning

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Terms

Ethics Are Rules or Sets of standards that In a society, alcohol consumption may be
help guide conduct. It is shaped by considered as an ethical activity as long as
societal and cultural norms others are not being hurt, but for a given
person, it may be immoral activity

Values - deeply held beliefs and ideas to which A person who values Honesty is unlikely to
a person attaches immense cheat his/ her spouse in private life and
importance. unlikely to accept bribe in public life

Values can be of many types - Values

of Honesty, Empathy, Compassion,
Forgiveness, Impartiality, Patriotism,
Courage , Altruism

Morals Morals are the Values based on which Capital Punishment, Surrogacy, Medical
we differentiate between right and Termination of Pregnancy can be good or bad
wrong. It acts at a personal level and depending on the morals of a person
also has a spiritual connotation

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attached

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Morality - Taking a reasoned stand to

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differentiate between good and bad

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Ethos Character ○ Ethos required for a public servant

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• People First
• Strategic Thinking

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• Commitment

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• Leading others

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Conscience It’s the part of us that judges the Voice of conscience prevents any diversion

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morality of actions, the uprightness of from the righteous path. It does so by putting

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our conduct and helps make decisions immense psychological costs to unethical
behaviour. Hence a person with strong

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conscience will never choose an immoral
action because of great guilt, remorse and
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sorrow it will bring in future.
It allows self regulation
Importance of conscience
• Public officials
. Conscience is superior to any other external
一 Legal vacuum
form of regulation as it punishes both acts of
○ Enforcement of law in spirit
commission and omission. Example : a
○ Use of discretion provided
by law to maximum conscientious public servant will reject
advantage for the public lackadaisical approach to work and will obtain
maximal results. Hence gandhiji has rightly
○ Practical considerations can
said There is a higher court than court of
be inculcated in the law. e.g.
If rules provide for subsidy justice. It is the court of conscience.
only below a threshold
income but a person is just A person can deceive authorities and society
above the dividing line but but cannot lie to himself.
has huge family
responsibilities, then DM It is for this reason that Gandhi believed that
should consider his case and one needs to appeal to the conscience of the
try to find a way out for him. sinner so that he/she leaves the sinful path.
• General He therefore distinguished between sin and
一 One cannot cheat oneself. sinner. Hence he said we should not hate the
○ Optimal performance not sinner but should be empathetic towards him
just minimum expected so that he can be reformed. In this way, we
standards. can covert a zero sum game in a win win
○ Competition and situation
conscience can bring
maximum efficiency in
Gandhi ji said that there is a court higher than
work.
court of justice. It is the court of conscience.
○ It brings a sense of
It punishes even acts of omission.
responsibility and duty for
.

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actions as well as inactions.

Confucius: Righteousness is
the foundation for good
governance. Rules
cannot mandate honesty

kinds of conscience:
1. True
2. Certain
3. Probable
4. Doubtful

Virtue A particular moral excellence

Persuasion An instrument of attitude change

through appeal

Accountability means holding a person answerable to The officer was made accountable to hold the
his/her acts elections fairly

Equality Everyone should be treated equally

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Equity Like should be treated in a like manner Reservation

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and those unlike each other should be Special considerations for the vulnerable

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treated fairly Children, Old, Women, Disabled

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Rationality Application of Logic to solve any A rational public servant who thinks of look
problem term is unlikely to indulge in corruption

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Legality Means Conformity with the laws and Upholding legality is a fundamental duty of a

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statuettes civil servant

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Conflict of Situation where a person potentially A Karnataka HC judge recused himself from

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Interest can't take impartial decision because hearing a case involving a builder who tried
he/ she will be him/herself affected by to bribe him

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the decision

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Sycophancy Excessive flattery of individuals of • Public officials- nepotism, transfer, honesty,

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importance to derive personal benefits objectivity, political neutrality
• Politics- Sycophancy by political workers
leads to separation between leader and
common people - creates a wedge causing
misgovernance

Ethical Dilemma It is a situation where there are
COMPETING ethical values and
decision makes becomes difficult
• Killing a caged gorilla in zoo to protect a
fallen girl child
• Shooting down a hijacked plane
• Dilemmas involve choosing between 2 bad
choice, but it is reason/ ethics/ integrity
/… that helps to choose the one less worse

Acts of Double Acts that lead to both good and bad Same as ethical dilemma
Effect

Passion Intense emotions • Positive - Passion to study, work towards

goal
As opposed to Rationality • Negative - Lust, Passion for money -
Greed

Happiness Satisfaction with life How people see it

• Hedonistic way
• Life satisfaction
• Virtuous life - Plato
• When there is no difference between
what we want to be and what we are

Trait Character • Positive - Enhances the personal level of

happiness with societal welfare
• Eg Benevolence, Compassion, Courage,
Empathy , all positive values :P

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Honesty vs Probity - Lack of corruption - Uni Honesty is saying that I took a bribe Integrity
Integrity vs dimensional in that respect is not taking the bribe
Probity Honesty - Truthful - to actions, though
and behaviour
Integrity - Superset - Uprightness

Rights vs Duties • Rights are freedoms that are
protected.
• Duties are obligations requiring a
person to act in a certain way
Free Will Act on one's own discretion without
the influence of others
• Right for one is duty for another
• E.g. a rich man's duty to pay taxes will
determine how a poor man's rights to food,
education would be fulfilled
• Duty is also towards oneself
• Rights also to be used for social welfare
Issues same as that related to Individual Utility

Dereliction of Escaping from the duty

duty
Branches of Ethics 4 types Descriptive - Studies peoples belief about morality
Prescriptive/ Normative - Standards for rights or
wrong - Like Kant, Utilitarianism
Metaethics - Studies the origin of ethical concepts
Applied Ethics -Application - like Euthanasia,

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Surrogacy, etc

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code of conduct' is a set of rules outlining the social norms and rules and responsibilities of, or proper

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practices for, an individual, party or organization.

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NATIONALISM

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• A way of expressing commitment, loyalty to one's nations state

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• Use Patriotism instead in sentences

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Moral Hazard
• Situation where individual takes greater risk when he/she is assured of being hedged against the
consequences
• E.g. risk taking by a driver whose car is insured

Delegation of Power
• Entrusting the authority to others while retaining accountability
• Leads to rise in productivity and allows the lowers to be groomed
• Can be used as a strategy when all hands are full

Whether an action is ethical or not? It means applying moral principles to a situation and evaluating whether the action
passes the test. However to judge any action, there are three pre requisites
1. Action must be done under free will. It means that options must be available in front of the doer. An ill person who
is unable to do a right action because of the disability can not be judged on ethical criteria
2. Actor must have the knowledge of the consequences of his/ her action
3. Action must be voluntary not under fear or intimidation

Public and Private life ( MATCH with my notes )

Purpose of Private relations is getting love, affection, belongingness. While public relations are for getting materialistic
benefits, power, authority, respect, recognition.

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In both spheres, a person has some duties. In private life, these are voluntary, informal and self imposed. In public life,
these are formal e.g. All India Services conduct rules. However, for many professions, there might not be a code of ethics
imposed. But many of us self impose it on ourselves for the sake of our duties as a citizen or human being. These cannot
be compartmentalised
1. Private relationship dynamics affect public life performance. It can lead to disastrous outcomes e.g. In a recent flight
crash, it was suspected that pilot's mental distress was the reason behind it. So it is a question of debate that
whether state must regulate private life or respect right to privacy. That is why we have medical fitness
requirements.
2. Conflict of interest may arise in front of an interview panellist if someone from his private life like his son or wife is a
candidate.
3. A person who performs his self imposed duties on private life can be trusted to adhere to the conduct rules and
code of ethics in private life. Also a happy family man is familiar with the ideas of sacrifice, compassion , love, care
and hard work. These private life experiences will help him in handling his public life.
4. However this is not the rule. Gandhi was a better father to the nation than he was to him own son.
5. Practice what you preach. KC Sen stood against child marriage but got his own daughter married at an early age. His
followers saw that as a loss of integrity and abandoned him.
6. Injustices begin from private life e.g domestic violence. Hence state laws must apply to certain aspects of private life
to protect rights of all.
7. Personal beliefs must be kept separate from discharging one’s duty.

Religion v/s Ethics

• Religious practices should be put to the test of time/ critical thinking.
• Individual rights take precedence over religious practices.
• We should aspire to be a modern society built on doctrine of reason. This is possible only if we give up irrational
beliefs
• RRMR also favoured extracting only the good from all the religions. They should be a source of ethical resources

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• Kalburgi against superstition/ social evils perpetuated in name of religion in a god fearing society

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• Scientific temper is hard to build in a backward looking society

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• Terrorism, Intolerance

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Main philosophies

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Hinduism

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• Vasudhav Kutumbakam: World is a family and development of all should be our motto.

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Buddhism and Jainism
• Peace, love for all creatures

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• Control over greed

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Example Inter caste marriages: Hindu norms of caste 'purity and pollution’ prohibits inter caste marriage. Hence it may be

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argued that every individual should have the right to practice his/ her religion.

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However many religious practices infringe the individual rights. Hence it is our duty to put the religious norms to the test of

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scientific inquiry.

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It violates individual’s right to choose marriage partner.
It perpetuates casteism that is prohibited by our constitution

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Inter caste marriages will lead to dilution of caste identities and hierarchies and is in resonance with our constitutional

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goals. Moreover it raises the gene pool of community.

Animal/ Environmental ethics extend the boundary of ethics by guiding the human- animal/ environment relationship.
Animal Ethics: How animals should be treated.
• The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated
• Human beings should not forget that we share the Earth with thousands of other species
Issue-Zoos
• They are deprived of their natural habitat, separated from their kith and kin
• They are usually kept in poor conditions like inadequate space, lack of proper nutrition, cleanliness etc.
• There face cruelty by being chained, teased by visitors etc.
Positive
• Sensitise about animal welfare, especially children
• Breeding programmes prevent extinction of endangered species
Way Forward : Middle path
• Zoos should take care of all the needs of animals
• Treat them with compassion
• State should enforce PCA strictly with help from civil society.
Culling of animals (Schedule 5 under WPA are vermin animals.)
• Violence for preventing monetary loss. Character of a nation is reflected by how it treats its animals.
• Humans have encroached in the habitats
• No evidence backing for culling
Solution
• Research for identifying reason of problem. In Karnataka, it was shortage of food not population rise
• Natural habitats should be restored
• Supervised culling
• Only as a temporary measure
• First vaccination and sterilisation should be tried.
Case studies
• SC banned Jallikattu stating that traditions do not give legitimacy to cruelty against animals.
• A video showing a man through a dog from terrace went viral on Facebook. This shows growing apathy towards
animals in society.
• Declaring animals as vermin. After exploring all the possibilities, culling should be the last resort for resolving man
animal conflict.

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Issue- Experiments on animals
For
• Cure for life threatening diseases
• Scientific progress
• Ethical arguments advanced by Sartre allows use of animals as a means to achieve an end. This is because they are
different form human beings as they lack consciousness or cognition.
• Utilitarian perspective : It leads to greatest number of good as it saves millions of lives.
Against
• Cruelty
• They are capable of feeling pain
• Its immoral that human beings misuse their superior position as being intelligent species Conclusion:
It is important to strengthen the code of ethics for testing on
animals. We should also focus on developing alternatives to such research techniques.

The Earth is as much theirs as ours. Being an intelligent species both mentally and emotionally, the onus falls on us to
ensure that animals are also treated with dignity and sensitivity.
Environmental Ethics
Importance
• Biodiversity conservation: Our actions should not threaten other species.
• Sustainable use of resources: Environmental degradation cannot be justified to support high consumption life style
• Intergenerational equity: It emphasises that ‘ we have inherited the earth from our future generations'
• Indispensable for preventing climate change
• Tragedy of commons can be prevented by application of environmental ethics
• It advocates polluter pays principle
• Ability to pay/ Free rider
There is enough on earth for everybody’s needs but not for anybody’s greed

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• Conspicuous consumption that began mainly in West since Industrial revolution has put in danger the existence of

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their entire humanity as well as other species.

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• Business as usual scenario requires 1.5 times of Earth size to support our existence.
• Time is ripe to embrace sustainable development. This will allow future generations equal opportunity to prosper

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• It will be in line with intra generational equity. Trusteeship theory- simple living and donate the rest. It will

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eliminate hunger and poverty from the face of earth and realisation of SDGs.

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• Responsible behaviour is not only required for national level policies , but attitudinal change. Indian civilisation
can be the torchbearer due to traditions of harmonious living with nature. Switching off lights when not in use,

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etc. are small steps needed for saving humanity from disasters.

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Ethics of economic growth

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• People are end in themselves. Growth should be for people and not vice versa

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• Economic justice: Equal opportunities to advance in life.

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• Benefits of growth should be shared widely.

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• Poverty anywhere is threat to prosperity anywhere. Social tensions will disturb peace and stability, derailing growth

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• Without ending discrimination, shared prosperity cannot be achieved. If Dalits are denied asset ownership due to
caste notions, their economic upliftment will be difficult.

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• Women labour force participation is required for realising full potential of growth.
• Mindless consumerism: There is enough for everybody’s need but not for anybody’s greed.
Accumulating wealth
• Thomas Piketty in his book “Capital in 21st century” highlighted that 50% of the wealth is concentrated among 1% of
population. This rising inequalities raise ethical question over wealth accumulation.
• Gandhi’s Trusteeship theory- After keeping the necessary amount with ourselves, we should use
the rest for societal improvement.
• Money can give us instant gratification. But wants have no limits and in long run, desires breed dissatisfaction.
• Money is not an end in itself.
• Status of person is judged by his wealth. Hence a person tries to earn maximum in least possible time by hook or by
crook
• Companies indulge in unethical behaviour of tax avoidance, employing child labour etc. to increase their profits.
• Wealth without work is one of the Seven Sins

Minimum amount is necessary For health and food needs

It is not sufficient Self actualisation need, social welfare, constructive work

It causes dissatisfaction Illegal wealth is a sin

Desires breed dissatisfaction.
Fear of being caught
Way forward
• Education should build men of high moral standing.
• Parameters of success should not be money but hard work, welfare of society, etc.
• Checks and Balances/ regulations.
Act of whistleblowing
A whistle-blower exposes a wrongdoing (an illegal or unethical practice) prevalent in an organisation. He/she knows about
it because of the virtue being associated with it at some level.
Ethical concerns
• Prima facie it seems like disloyalty to the employer and the organisation.
• The reputation of the organisation is also at stake. Hence the employee’s emotional connection is in conflict with the
act of whistleblowing
• There is moral duty to disclose the wrongdoing as one has commitment to the law of the land.
• It may have large scale impact on public welfare.
• A silent observer is as much part of the crime as the perpetrator.
• Professional aspirations are in conflict as it may lead to job loss, loss of reputation etc.
• It is a courageous act as one may have to fight against many odds like humiliation, character assassination, life
threats etc.
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Hence
• Such acts should be driven by good intentions of larger public welfare
• One should explore all the internal procedures to address the issue. It should be a last resort option.
Satyendra nath Dubey Engineering Service
Manjunath ioc adulteration in petrol
Vyapam scam
Sportsperson: Adam Gilchrist walked before
Hand of god goal: world cup final diego maradona
Don’t boo, vote- Shows that exercising one’s legitimate right is more powerful than curbing others’ right to speech. Such is
the centrepiece of civilizational ethos. Even in times of conflict, framework of equal inalienable rights should not be
forgotten. Information Ethics

“Law and justice”- Justice is a universal concept which deals with fairness and objectivity. Giving everyone what they
deserve leads to a just society.
• Equal rights for all
• Equitable distribution: Level playing field for all and reward according to merit
• Social justice- no discrimination and hierarchy.
Law in many countries criminalises homosexuality. Religious laws approve practices like triple talaq. But from the principle
of natural justice which grants everyone equal rights, such laws will be unjust.
Freedom of speech
• Constitutional promise
• Debate and discussions help in reaching optimal solutions.
• Constructive criticism refines policy making
• Democratic decision making requires lending voice to all stakeholders
• Development of personality
• Creative development - books, films

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• Without it, governments will become dictatorial

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• Crackdown on press during British rule

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• Lack of it may lead to alienation and social disharmony.

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Stability - quality of being firm and steadfast

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Aptitude - inherent ability

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Fusion of goals - (indivi, org and social goals)
Diligence - Persevering determination to perform a task; meticulousness and attentiveness while performing
the job
Responsiveness - responding with emotion to people and events

National Interest - country's goals and ambitions whether economic, military or cultural.
Justice - quality of being just or fair
Transparency - means provision of access of government information to public;
Openness - attitude of ready accessibility (especially about one's actions or purposes)
Righteousness - Adhering to moral principles
Dedication - act of binding yourself (intellectually or emotionally) to a course of action
Solidarity - union of interests, purposes or sympathies among members of a group
Benevolence - showing kindness and good will
Tolerance - willingness to recognize and respect the beliefs or practices of others
Equity - treatment of different views or opinions equally and fairly
Equality - quality of being the same in quantity, measure, value or status
Prudence - Knowing how to avoid embarrassment or distress Wisdom -
Accumulated knowledge
Discipline - Training to improve strength or self-control
Effectiveness - being able to bring about an effect
Lawfulness - quality of conforming to law
Loyalty - act of binding yourself (intellectually or emotionally) to a course of action
Temperance - trait of avoiding excesses
Humility -disposition to be humble; a lack of false pride

Golden Rule - "We should do to others what we would want others to do to us"

Practicality - Concerned with actual use rather than theoretical possibilities

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Work Ethos - moral ideas and attitude that belongs to a group/organization/department
Work Culture - customs, practices, beliefs, ideas, values, norms associated with work-related activities
Persuasion - instrument for attitude change

Intelligence - ability to think, act, reason in a logical manner

Dehumanize - make mechanical or routine(related to rule of law)

Courage - quality of spirit that enables you to face danger or pain without showing fear Politics -
social science that deals with polity or the nation state

llegal Gratification: It is defined as taking gratification other than legal remuneration in respect of an
official act. Gratification is not limited to pecuniary gratifications or to gratifications estimable in money. It
also includes favouring or disfavouring one person over the other. Ex: The 2G spectrum scam involved
politicians and government officials in India illegally undercharging mobile telephony companies
for frequency allocation licenses, which they would then use to create 2G spectrum subscriptions for cell
phones.
Malfeasance: It is the commission of an act that is unequivocally illegal or completely wrongful or the
commission of an unlawful act done in an official capacity. It affects the performance of official duties and
may cause harm to others. It results in legal liability for the person who commits the act. It is a tort.
Misfeasance: It is engaging in proper action or duty, but failing to perform the duty correctly. The
performance of duty is riddled with errors caused by mistakes or carelessness, but is without evil intent
and/or violation of law.

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Diligence: Diligence is steadfast application, assiduousness and industry—the virtue of hard work. It is one of

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the seven heavenly virtues. Diligent behaviour is indicative of a work ethic — a belief that work is good in

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itself.

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Diligence in Buddhism-The last words of the Buddha was “Strive on with diligence”. Diligence is an integral
part of all Buddhist teaching, and is considered the fourth of the pāramitā. In Mahayana

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tradition diligence is the third pāramitā and the first which is said to lead to liberation. The practice of

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diligence will bring an increase of qualities.

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Bureaucratic inertia: Bureaucratic inertia is the inevitable tendency of bureaucratic organizations to

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perpetuate the established procedures and modes, even if they are counterproductive and/or diametrically

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opposed to established organizational goals. This unchecked growth may continue independently of the
organization’s success or failure. Through bureaucratic inertia, organizations tend to take on a life of their

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own beyond their formal objectives.

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“The bureaucracy is expanding to meet the needs of the expanding bureaucracy.” –Oscar Wild
Example: The United States Department of Agriculture has offices in almost all U.S. counties, even though

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only 14% of counties have valid farms or existing agricultural relevancy.
Intuition: it is the ability to acquire representation or knowledge about things apparently without reasoning
or usage of reasoning in general. It is often conceived as a kind of inner perception. Sometimes it develops
with age, sometimes maturity, sometimes with experience, in some with intellect. It teaches guides and
motivates us. We experience Déjà-vu’s coz our intuition might have felt it or comprehended it much before.
Prudence: Prudence is the ability to govern and discipline oneself by the use of reason.[1] It is classically
considered to be a virtue, and in particular one of the four Cardinal virtues. It is often associated
with wisdom, insight, and knowledge. In this case, the virtue is the ability to judge between virtuous and
vicious actions, not only in a general sense, but with regard to appropriate actions at a given time and place.
Although prudence itself does not perform any actions, and is concerned solely with knowledge, all virtues
are to be regulated by it. Distinguishing when acts are courageous, as opposed to reckless or cowardly, for
instance, is an act of prudence.
Perseverance: Steady persistence in adhering to a cause of action, a belief or a purpose etc. in spite of
difficulties, obstacles or discouragement.
Example: Medicine is a field which requires dedication and perseverance.
Red tapism:Red tape is excessive regulation or rigid conformity to formal rules that is considered redundant
or bureaucratic and hinders or prevents action or decision-making. It is usually applied
to governments, corporations, and other large organizations. It is the bureaucratic practice of hair splitting
or foot dragging, blamed by its practitioners on the system that forces them to follow prescribed procedures
to the letter. Red tape can also include filing and certification requirements, reporting, investigation,
inspection and enforcement practices, and procedures.

Probity: It is the adherence to the highest principles and ideals. It is the quality of having strong moral
principles, honesty and decency. Probity in governance is an essential and vital requirement for an efficient
and effective system of governance and for socio-economic development. An important requisite for
ensuring probity in governance is absence of corruption. The other requirements are effective laws, rules
and regulations governing every aspect of public life and, more important, an effective and fair
implementation of those laws, etc. Indeed, a proper, fair and effective enforcement of law is a facet of
discipline.
Intellectual Integrity: It is defined as recognition of the need to be true to one’s own thinking and to hold
oneself to the same standards one expects others to meet. It is to practice what one advocates to others
and to honestly admit discrepancies and inconsistencies in one’s own thoughts and action.

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Esprit de corps: The common spirit of comradeship existing among the members of a group and inspiring
enthusiasm, devotion, and strong regard for the honour of the group.For example, a military unit. Fidelity: It
is defined as faithfulness to obligations, duties or observances; exact correspondence with fact or with a
given quality, condition or event; accuracy in reporting detail; adherence to truth. A public servant is
expected to be at all times a trustworthy person in the public services. An unfaithful public servant tarnishes
the image of the entire system.
Moral turpitude: Criminal law describes it as conduct contrary to community standards of justice, honesty or
good morals. It involves gross violation of standards of moral conduct, vileness, such that an act involving
moral turpitude was intentionally evil, making the act a crime.
Moral objectivism: The position that certain acts are objectively right or wrong, independent of human
opinion. It doesn’t depend on what anyone thinks is right or wrong. That is, the view that the ‘moral facts’
are like ‘physical’ facts in that what the facts are does not depend on what anyone thinks they are. Moral
scepticism: “Moral Scepticism” names a diverse collection of views that deny or raise doubts about various
roles of reason in morality. Different versions of moral scepticism deny or doubt moral knowledge, justified
moral belief, moral truth, moral facts or properties, and reasons to be moral. Ex: Questioning the Rajya
Dharma.
Indriya nigraha: It means not letting our sense organs run astray. ‘Indriyas have to be our slaves-we should
be theirs’. IT is one of the most practical aspects of Sanatana philosophy.
Stithaprajnata: It is the concept discussed in the saukhya yoga of the Gita. A sthithaprajna is one whose
mind has become absolutely still, quietened and tranquil. One who accepts pleasure and pain with
equanimity.
Moral Universalism: it is the meta-ethical position that some system of ethics, or a universal ethic, applies
universally. That is, for all similarly situated individuals, regardless of culture, race, sex, religion, nationality,

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sexuality or any other distinguishing feature. It is opposed to moral nihilism and moral relativism.

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Moral Nihilism: It is the meta-ethical view that nothing is intrinsically moral or immoral. For moral nihilists,

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morality is without universal or even relative truth in any sense.

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Moral Absolutism: It is an ethical view that certain actions are absolutely right or wrong, regardless of other

a
circumstances such as their consequences or intentions behind them.
Moral Relativism: It may be any of several philosophical positions concerned with the differences in moral

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judgements across different people and culture.

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Meta-Ethics: It is a branch of ethics that seeks to understand the nature of ethical properties statements

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attitudes and judgements.

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Normative Ethics: It is the study of ethical action. It investigates the set of questions that arise when

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considering how one ought to act, morally speaking.
Applied Ethics: It is the philosophical examination from a moral standpoint, of particular issues in private

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and public life that are matters of moral judgement. It attempts to use philosophical methods to identify the

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morally correct course of action in various fields of human life.
Neutral Bureaucracy: Here, bureaucratic officials function strictly according to the principles and ideals laid

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down in the constitution.
Committed Bureaucracy: Here, bureaucrats, in addition to following the principles and ideals laid down in
the constitution, also follow the policies and programs of the party in power. Ex: in China.
Deontology: It is the normative ethical position that judges the morality of an action based on the action’s
adherence to a rule or rules. It is sometimes described as duty or obligation or rule based ethics.
Consequentialism: It is a class of normative ethical theories which holds that the consequences of one’s
conduct are the ultimate basis for any judgement about the rightness of that conduct.

Utilitarianism: It is a theory in normative ethics holding that the proper course of action is the one that
maximizes utility, usually defined as maximizing happiness and reducing suffering.

Hedonism: It is a school of thought that argues that pleasure is the only intrinsic good. In very simple terms,
a hedonist strives to maximize net pleasure.

Altruistic Hedonism: Propounds that we ought to sacrifice personal happiness in order to bring any increase
of happiness to others.

Benevolence: Showing morally correct behaviour; inclination towards charity; ethical thinking; disposition
towards doing good and being kind.
Performance Accountability: Every govt servant should feel answerable or responsible for his non
performance or under performance, for not meeting standards, under utilizing his resources to the govt, to
the people and to his conscience.
In house reporting system: In house reporting system means a system established by an organization to
meet the standards of effective functioning to prevent and detect violations of law shortfalls, achievements,
problems and issues in policy making by consultations co-ordinations, reprimands and rapprochement.
Rapprochement: Establishing cordial relations with employees and other people who have direct
relationship with the organization.
Gray Areas: The areas (issues) in which we (organization) are deficient or lagging. It may be due to
misunderstanding, miscomprehension, overlook or overlap. Guidelines are often provided in these areas for
minimizing gray areas.
Summum Bonum: Summum bonum is a Latin expression meaning “the highest good”, which was introduced
by Cicero, to correspond to the Idea of the Good in Greek philosophy. The summum bonum is generally
thought of as being an end in itself, and at the same time as containing all other goods. The term was used
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in medieval philosophy and in Kantianism, to describe the ultimate importance, the singular and overriding
end which human beings ought to pursue.
Ergonomics: Ergonomics (or human factors) is the scientific discipline concerned with the understanding of
interactions among humans and other elements of a system, and the profession that applies theory,
principles, data and methods to design in order to optimize human well-being and overall system
performance.
Teleology: Theory of morality that derives duty or moral obligation from what is good or desirable as an end
to be achieved. Also known as consequentialist ethics, it is opposed to deontological ethics (from the
Greek deon, “duty”), which holds that the basic standards for an action’s being morally right are
independent of the good or evil generated.
Equanimity: It is a state of psychological stability and composure which is undisturbed by experiences of
good or bad, pain or pleasure, or other phenomenon that may cause the normal people to lose the balance
of their mind.
Rationality: It is a concept which believes in the use of reason which is detached with passions, emotions
and beliefs. If our personal beliefs or sentiments are not in conformity with rationality, they should not
prevail over rationality. It means bringing out a practical solution to a practical situation.
Commitment: Being always responsible and genuine to the words, deeds and promises. It is the most
important ingredient of public servant. There might be a chance to flout promises and rebuild our
relationships in personal life. But in official capacity, breaking a promise or vow can’t be undone or taken
back because it affects public at large.
Initiative: The power or ability to take up a new task exploring a new area making a new beginning for a
progressive development, energetically with enterprise and determination.
Apathy: Lack of interest or concern. It is a state of indifference or not showing concern, motivation,

m
excitement, passion etc. Being indifferent towards others problems, towards systemic lapses, towards

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progressive change.

. c
Sentient: Sentience is the ability to feel, perceive, or to experience subjectivity. Eighteenth-century

p
philosophers used the concept to distinguish the ability to think (reason) from the ability to feel (sentience).

a
In modern Western philosophy, sentience is the ability to experience sensations (known in philosophy of
mind as “qualia”). For Eastern philosophy, sentience is a metaphysical quality of all things that requires

m
respect and care. The concept is central to the philosophy of animal rights, because sentience is necessary

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for the ability to suffer, which is held to entail certain rights.

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Karmaphala Siddhanta: As you sow, so you reap. (replete in all Indian texts)
Varnashrama-dharma – duties performed according to the system of fourvarnas (social divisions) and four

w
ashrams (stages in life). Focus is on responsibilities (which naturally fulfil the rights of others). Four varnas –

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brahmanas (priests, teachers, and intellectuals),kshatriyas (police, army, and
administration), vaishyas (farmers, merchants, and business people), shudras (artisans and workers).

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Four ashrams – student life, household life, retirement, and renunciation.
Kleptocracy: Kleptocracy,alternatively cleptocracy or kleptarchy, is a form of political and government
corruption where the government exists to increase the personal wealth and political power of its officials
and the ruling class at the expense of the wider population, often with pretence of honest service. This type
of government corruption is often achieved by the embezzlement of state funds.

Rectitude: righteousness or consequences in procedure or being honourable and honest.

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