LECTURE NOTES- 1

ETHICS, INTEGRITY AND APTITUDE

Ethics:
● It refers to a prescriptive code of conduct concerning righteousness or wrongness for the
actor in a situation.
● Example- the dilemma of a defense lawyer in case the client has committed a heinous
crime and the dilemma of a doctor when the patient is a criminal.

Integrity:
● When the path of righteousness is followed across time and space. That is the path of
honesty is followed consistently and there exists uncompromising adherence to ethics and
values.
● To ensure integrity we first need to choose the right course of conduct.
● Second, it should be followed even if it is not profitable.
● Third, one should openly declare their stand.
● Example- Story of Ivan Anaya and Able Mathai(A runner-up who won the race of
integrity), Ashok Khemka, Lal Bahadur Shastri.
● With the right kind of socialization, integrity needs to be developed.

Aptitude:
● It refers to an individual's inherent ability to solve problems, learn quickly, and adapt to
new situations.
● In the context of civil servants, aptitude plays a critical role in ensuring effective and
efficient governance.
● It can be innate by birth and can also be acquired by Training.
● It is different from intelligence.
● Intelligence is the ability of the individual to reason, act purposefully, and deal effectively
with the environment.
● Intelligence is the ability to gain knowledge and aptitude refers to applying knowledge.
Ethics:
● The word ethics is derived from the ancient Greek word “ethikos” meaning “relating to
one’s character” or“ arising from habit”.
● Ethikos itself comes from the root word “Ethos” meaning“ character” or “moral nature”.
● Thus literally put (verbatim) ethics refers to good character traits that develop when
morally correct actions are regularly or habitually performed.
● It can be referred to as the set of do's and don'ts that govern human conduct in a social
setting.
● The entire conceptualization of ethics can be summarised in the principle 'Never impose
anything on others that you would not want to go through thus ethics may be defined as
the systematic study of human actions from the point of view of rightfulness or
wrongfulness as a means of attainment of ultimate happiness.
● Example- the dilemma of a defense lawyer in case the client has committed a heinous
crime and a doctor's dilemma when the patient is a criminal.

Aspects of Ethics:
There are two aspects to ethics:
○ The first involves the ability to discern right from wrong, good from evil, and
propriety from impropriety.
○ The second involves the commitment to do what is right, good, and proper. Ethics
entails action

Characteristic features of Ethics:

● Ethics never dictates a single course of action but prescribes/provides the means for
evaluating the options and deciding among those competing options.
● Ethics tends to remain consistent within the context but changes with every change in the
context. Hence, ethics is contextual.
○ Example: it changes from society to society such as homosexuality, live-in
relationships, or abortion.
● Ethics is maintained and sustained with a sense of responsibility and not mere
accountability to some external agency.
 ● The concept of ethics is only applicable to voluntary actions (Those actions which are
performed of free will without any coercion).
● Ethics is it is neither absolute nor universal.
● Ethics are abstract concerning what is the right thing to do and it does not have a concrete
manifestation hence many times people are not able to understand its meaning and
significance and hence drift towards unethical behavior.

Significance of ethics
● For individual:
○ peace, joy, happiness.
■ Example: The act of blood donation makes us feel good
○ Help resolve the dilemma.
■ Examples - selfish interest v/s collective welfare
○ Quick decision-making during emergency situations.
○ Improve the credibility of a person.
○ Improve prestige and social status.
○ Reduces cognitive dissonance(It refers to mental discomfort due to inconsistency
in thought and behavior).
○ Ethical behavior leads to mutual kindness and hence good interpersonal relations.

● For society:
○ Reduces conflict.
○ Law and order/Reduce crime.
○ Equitable and Inclusive development as ethics will ensure fair opportunities and
fair distribution of resources.
○ Strengthen social capital(Mutual trust).
○ It helps in establishing a morally virtuous society.
■ Example - it will help in reducing discriminatory behavior based on
prejudices or will prevent acts of misappropriation of funds or violence
against vulnerable sections.
○ Ethics of care, justice, and rationality will motivate society to bring reforms or
change.
■ Example - the progressive law (decriminalization of sections 377, 497,
309 of IPC), and the recommendation of SC to treat sex workers and their
children with dignity.
Morals:
 ● It is derived from the Latin word "mores,” which means "customs," "manners," or "habits."
● It refers to the individual understanding of right and wrong or it refers to the standard of
behavior that an individual has set for himself with respect to the rightness and wrongness
of an act.
○ Example- Gandhi is renowned for his commitment to non-violence and truth. His
philosophy of nonviolent resistance, or "Satyagraha," played a crucial role in India's
fight for independence.
● The interplay between ethics and morality can be tricky.
○ Example- If a person does not offer a seat to women in public transportation,
reserved for them, then it’s both unethical and illegal. But if a person does not offer
his seat to the needier traveler, then it’s immoral.
● A person may follow the ethics mandated by a certain group, say a religion, an
organization, or a family but may not have any morals at all because they have not
internalized any of the standards that they are following.
○ Example: A person outwardly conforms to their religious community's rules for
social acceptance but lacks a genuine internal commitment to those values.
● While another may violate the ethics of the same group to uphold personal moral
standards.
○ Example: An employee, despite company pressure to cut corners, refuses to
compromise personal integrity and reports unethical practices, prioritizing honesty
over organizational norms.
Similarities and differences between Ethics, Morals, and Law.

Similarities:
● Concern for Right and Wrong:
○ Ethics: Involves principles and guidelines for determining what is right or wrong.
○ Morals: Focuses on personal principles of right and wrong behavior.
○ Law: Regulates behavior within a legal framework, distinguishing between lawful
and unlawful actions.
● Influence of Values:
○ Ethics: Derived from cultural, philosophical, and personal values.
○ Morals: Influenced by cultural, religious, and familial values.
○ Law: Established and influenced by societal values and norms.
● Guiding Human Behavior:
○ Ethics: Provides guidelines for decision-making and behavior.
○ Morals: Offers principles guiding individual behavior.
○ Law: Set rules and regulations that guide behavior within a community.
 ● Enforcement Mechanisms:
○ Ethics: Enforced through self-discipline, professional communities, and social
norms.
○ Morals: Enforced through personal conscience, social reinforcement, and
individual values.
○ Law: Enforced by legal authorities with consequences for non-compliance.
● Subjectivity and Flexibility:
○ Ethics: Subject to individual and cultural perspectives, allowing for flexibility.
○ Morals: May vary among individuals and change with personal growth or societal
evolution.
○ Law: Universally applicable within a specific legal jurisdiction, but subject to
amendments.
● Overlap:
○ Ethics: May overlap with personal morals and legal requirements.
○ Morals: Can align with ethical principles and legal standards.
○ Law: Influenced by societal ethics and moral values.
● Concern for Consequences:
○ Ethics: Considers the consequences of actions on individuals and society.
○ Morals: Often involve personal consequences, such as guilt or pride.
○ Law: Imposes legal consequences for violations, such as fines or imprisonment.
While they share these similarities, it's crucial to recognize that ethics, morals, and law serve
distinct roles in guiding human behavior and societal norms. They operate in different spheres
and may not always align perfectly in specific situations.

Difference: Ethics vs Morals

Aspects Morals Ethics

Morals are standards of individuals for Ethics is the standards of society for right
right and wrong. and wrong.
Definition
Morals when accepted at the societal Ethics when practiced at the individual level
level become ethics. becomes morals.
 Morals are individual and may not Generally applies to a broader context.

always take into account the needs or Ethics often involve collective or group

values of a larger group. considerations and are concerned with the

well-being and behavior of a larger

E.g. In some countries, individuals are community.

Scope required to serve in the military as part

of their civic duty. However, some E.g. In the context of environmental ethics,

people may hold strong moral objections there is an emphasis on considering the well-
to engaging in armed conflict or taking being of the broader community and the

the lives of others, even if it's for the planet as a whole.

defense of their country.

Origin Personal, cultural, and religious beliefs. Philosophical, rational, or societal norms.

Society or an external system (laws,

Individual’s personal experiences and
Source of Guidance regulations, professional codes, and societal
inner beliefs
norms).

Can vary among individuals or cultures. Since ethics is the collective proposition of
Morals are highly subjective and society, it is more objective as compared to
personal, varying greatly from one morals
Application person to another. More standardized and universally applied

E.g. Individuals may have different E.g. Society may consider same-sex marriage
attitudes towards same-sex marriage. as unethical.

Flexibility Subject to personal interpretation. May have more standardized guidelines.

Focus Concerned with personal character. Concerned with socially acceptable behavior.

Morals influence decision-making in
personal matters and situations where
there may not be clear external
Role in Decision-
guidelines.
Making
E.g. Whistleblowing in a Government
Department
Ethics guide decision-making in professional
settings and situations where there are
established rules and standards.
E.g. Rule 5(1) of Central Civil Services
(Conduct) Rules, 1964 states civil servants
are not allowed to be part of or assist political
parties. While members can hold personal
political beliefs, these rules restrict the degree
to which they can act on them.

Ethics can be enforced through external

Morals are not externally enforced but
mechanisms like laws, regulations, and
rely on an individual's sense of right and
professional standards.
wrong.

E.g. In civil services, it is considered

Enforceability E.g. A civil servant may have a personal
unethical for a civil servant to accept gifts or
moral belief that it is always wrong to
favors from individuals or organizations that
accept any form of gratification, even if
may compromise their impartiality or
the rules allow it under certain
integrity. This is outlined in the official
circumstances.
conduct rules.

Violation has potential consequences such as

Violating one's morals may result in
Accountability legal actions, professional sanctions, or social
feelings of guilt or regret but may not
(What if we deviate?) sanction (exclusion, boycott, or social
have external consequences.
ostracization).

It's important to note that these distinctions may not always hold in every context, and the terms
are often used interchangeably. The relationship between morality and ethics can vary, and the
terms might be used differently in different philosophical or cultural traditions.

Differences: Ethics vs Law

Aspects Law Ethics


System of rules and regulations enforced
by a governing authority.
Definition
For example: Speed limits on highways set
by traffic laws.
Created by legislatures or regulatory
bodies.
Source Tax laws created by government
legislatures.
Externally enforced by government
agencies and legal systems.
Enforcement Police issuing a ticket for speeding
violations.
Violating laws can result in legal penalties
Consequences
(e.g., fines, imprisonment).
Generally applicable to all members of a
Universal society.
Application Stop signs apply to all drivers.
Set of moral principles or values guiding
individual or group behavior.
For example: Honesty as a moral principle in
personal conduct.
Emerges from cultural, religious, or
philosophical beliefs.
Respect for diversity derived from cultural
values.
Internally enforced through individual
conscience or societal expectations.
Feeling guilt for breaking a promise to a
friend.
Violating ethics may result in social or
professional consequences (e.g., reputation
damage).
Cultural variations in attitudes toward gift-
giving.
Can vary among different cultures, societies,
and individuals.
 May change through amendments and
Can evolve based on cultural shifts, societal
legal processes.
norms, and individual beliefs.
Flexibility Amendments to environmental protection
laws.
Evolving societal views on gender roles.

Professional integrity, honesty, respect for

Examples Traffic laws, criminal codes, contracts, etc.
diversity, transparency, etc.

Values:
● Long-lasting beliefs based on preference with respect to desirable and undesirable
become the values.
● Values are the standards that help to evaluate something or make judgments about how
desirable or undesirable that thing is to us whether a person, place, or event.
● We are more likely to make choices that will support our value system than those that do
not.
○ Example: Research commissioned by Google Cloud in April 2022 found shoppers
were increasingly considering the values of brands when making a purchasing
decision.
● Values are shaped by personal experience, may change throughout a lifetime, and may
be influenced by lessons learned.
○ Example: The pandemic drove consumers to change their priorities, shifting their
focus to concepts like sustainability and community.
● Values may vary according to an individual's cultural, ethnic, and/or faith-based
background
● Values result in morals and ethics (when seen through the prism of right and wrong), only
those values that can be seen through the prism of the right and wrong, those values
becomes morals at the individual level and ethics at collective level.
● Values when it is tied to objects become attitude (which is a specific determinant of
behavior).
● Different people may have a different set of values. Eg –
○ Tribal culture values the conservation of the environment more than others.
○ Compassion for pets is valued more in European countries.
○ Service class values stability, job security, gradual change, etc.
○ Indian society values respect for elders, joint family system, collectivism, etc.
What are they made up of?
Values are made up of 2 components: Core Beliefs and Emotions.

Core belief + Emotion = Value

Belief Values

Conviction /acceptance of Longlasting beliefs act as a

something to be true even without guiding principle with respect to
evidence. behavior.

Belief affects values. Values affect behavior.

Belief: lying is bad, cheating is immoral Truth (value), Honesty, loyalty, sincerity

Human Values:
Basic human values refer to those values that are at the core of being human. The values that
are considered basic inherent values in humans include truth, honesty, loyalty, love, peace, etc.
because they bring out the fundamental goodness of human beings and society at large.

Schwartz’s Theory of Basic Human Values offers a universal model outlining ten broad values
that steer human behavior. These include power, achievement, hedonism, stimulation, self-
direction, universalism, benevolence, tradition, conformity, and security.

Role of Family Society and Educational Institutions in Inculcating Values

Family:
● It is an informal agency of socialization
● Plays a significant role in value consensus by socializing the child in their formative years
according to values existing in society
● Values- honesty, collectivism, sacrifice, love, etc provided by family
● Family through storytelling, and sharing life experiences shaping the value system of
children
○ For example, telling stories from Mahabharata, Ramayana etc.
● Induction (Initial Experience): Philosophers often argue that the behavior of parents is
what shapes up the behavior of children. Thus, parents need to practice what they preach
and then preach what they practice.
 ● Authoritative Parenting is essential to foster self-awareness, respect, and social
sensitivity along with authority and respect for rules.
● Democratic parenting helps in the development of cognitive reasoning in the child so he
can make reasonable choices at present or in the future.
● Enforcement Mechanism: Good behavior of the child must be rewarded but only with
intangible things such as Hugging, Appreciation, etc. This will keep him motivated and will
help him stick to being on his best behavior.
● Over some time, the structure of the family had changed i.e. we are moving from a joint
family to a nuclear family.
○ Joint family preferences- Collectivism, Cooperation, Delayed gratification
○ Nuclear family preferences- Individualism, Competition, Consumerism/culture of
consumption

Education System:
● Formal agency of socialization.
● It is an agency that enables a child to interact with those who are not family.
● Acts as a linking pin between family and society.
● It instills values such as Competition, cooperation, tolerance, and accommodation of
diversity.
● It also develops skills: Social, cognitive, psychomotor, life in adulthood, etc.

Role of teacher:
● They act as role models for the children.
● They leave a grave impact on children at their impressionable age.
● They use observation learning, conditioning, and role-taking for the socialization of the
children.
● They can influence the behavior of the children through the following:
○ Unbiased treatment
○ Walking the talk
○ Influencing self-attribution pattern of children
○ Promoting activity-based learning
○ Encouraging critical thinking

Role of content:
● School curriculums must have lessons on moral issues and a subject of moral philosophy.
This will impart theoretical knowledge on moral philosophy to students so they can practice
it in their personal lives.
 ○ For example, Gandhi's Seven Sins, lessons on Indian and Western
philosophical traditions will be helpful in order to unleash the moral faculty of
students.
● Culture-specific inputs, so that it facilitates the child's adjustment to the social setup.
○ Example: elementary education in the mother tongue, focus on vocational
training, value-based through storytelling and anecdotes.
● Educational content should be based on scientific temper without any ideological
coloration.
● There should be a sync between text and context i.e. Application-based learning.
● Outcome-based learning needs to be promoted.
● The evaluative standards should not be parochial/narrow.
● NOTE: Kindly refer to the provisions National Education Policy, 2020.

Role of extracurricular activities:

● It helps in developing team-building spirit, cooperative behavior, commitment, leadership
skills, good looser, endurance, etc.
● Responsibility assumption.

Society:
● Socialization: Society molds values through interactions in families, schools, and peer
groups through the process of socialization.
○ Example: Parents teaching the importance of honesty and kindness to their
children.
● Cultural Norms: Cultural traditions and norms dictate acceptable behavior and shape
individual values.
○ Example: Respect for elders as a cultural norm in Indian societies, shaping values
around deference and courtesy.
● Media Influence: Mass media reflects and reinforces societal values, impacting individual
perceptions.
○ Television shows promoting values such as tolerance and diversity, influencing
viewers' perspectives. Example: movies like Amar Akbar Anthony
● Peer Pressure: Peers play a significant role in shaping values, especially during
adolescence.
○ Adolescents adopting fashion trends or lifestyle choices to fit in with their peer
group.
● Institutional Values: Workplaces, religious institutions, and organizations contribute to
value formation.
● Legal and Political Systems: Laws and government policies reflect and influence societal
values.
 ○ Example: The Indian Constitution reflects vision and values of Freedom Fighters.
● Economic Factors: Economic systems impact values, emphasizing aspects like individual
achievement or communal values.
○ Example: Capitalist societies emphasize individual success as a core value,
influencing career aspirations
● Globalization: Exposure to diverse cultures and perspectives through globalization
influences individual values.

Determinants of Ethics:
Determinants of ethics refer to the factors that influence an individual's or a group's moral
principles, values, and behavior. Ethics is a complex and multifaceted concept that can be shaped
by various factors. Here are some of the key determinants of ethics:

Religion and Spirituality:

● Religion-based traces the source of values from the principles, teachings, and beliefs of a
specific religious tradition.
● It determines what is right or wrong, good or bad, based on the moral guidance provided
by a particular religion.
● Many of the world's major religions have their unique ethical codes and moral guidelines.
● For example:
○ Ten Commandments and the teachings of Jesus Christ as a foundation for
ethical behavior in Christianity.
○ The Eightfold Path of Buddhism
○ Philosophy of anekantvad in Jainism
○ Philosophy of Nishkamkarma according to the Bhagavad Gita.
○ Concepts such as justice, honesty, and charity (zakat) are important in Islamic
ethics.

Cultural and Societal Norms:

● The culture and society in which an individual is raised have a significant impact on their
ethical values. Cultural norms, traditions, and societal expectations play a crucial role in
shaping one's ethics.
● For example: Individualism and rationality in the context of the West whereas in our
society collectivism, cooperation, strong familial obedience, etc.

Personal Beliefs and Values:

● An individual's personal beliefs and values, developed through life experiences and
introspection, greatly influence their ethical decisions.
● These values can include principles like honesty, compassion, kindness, and fairness.
Agencies of socialization:
● Family, teachers, life experiences, media, etc. help in shaping ethical values.
● Education impacts a person's ethical development. Ethical education helps individuals
understand ethical principles, dilemmas, and decision-making processes.
● Media plays an important role in determining the ethics of society. Hence, one should
create cinema with a social bend of mind. For Example: Dangal, Pink, Article 15.

Legal and Institutional Frameworks:

● Laws and regulations within a society provide a formal framework for ethical behavior.
● Adherence to the law is considered an ethical principle.
● Criminal laws define actions that are considered unethical or illegal in society, such as
theft, assault, and fraud.
● The threat of legal consequences, such as fines, imprisonment, or probation, serves as a
strong deterrent to unethical behavior.

Leadership:
● The leadership also helps in determining the conduct of their followers.
● For example rationality and vision (Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel), integrity (Mahatma
Gandhi), preservance (Abraham Lincoln), and endurance amidst adversity (Nelson
Mandela).
● However, leaders are also prone to unethical practices. Hence, one should not
blindly follow them. Example - Hitler.

Philosophy:
● Philosophical ethical theories, such as utilitarianism, deontology, and virtue ethics, provide
structured frameworks for evaluating ethical dilemmas and making ethical decisions.

Constitution:
● It is a way to establish the moral disposition of society.
● The Indian Constitution is a significant source of ethical principles and values within the
Indian nation.
● In case of any dilemma, it has to be the constitutional morality that should govern the
human/individual's conduct.

Dimensions of Ethics:
 Branch of Ethics Focus Purpose Example

Descriptive Ethics Describing and Examine what people Lawrence Kolsberg's

understanding moral think is right or wrong, theory on stages of
beliefs. and explore cultural moral development.
variations in morality.
Studying public
It is a value-free opinions on
approach to ethics, controversial issues
that is, it does not such as sexual
make any judgments preferences.
about the morality of
the practices and
beliefs.

Metaethics Examining the nature Understand the Exploring the

and justification of meaning of ethical meaning of terms like
ethics. concepts, and "good" or "right"
investigate objectivity
vs. subjectivity.
Normative Ethics Prescribing how Provides a framework Utilitarianism,
people should act for determining right deontology, and virtue
morally. or wrong, and guides ethics
ethical decision-
Also known as making
"Perspective ethics"

Applied Ethics Apply ethical Addresses practical Bioethics, business

principles to real- ethical issues in ethics, environmental
world cases various fields ethics