Law and ethics are considered to be the two tools for controlling human conduct so as to make it conducive to civilized

social existence. (a) Discuss how they achieve this objective. (b) Giving examples, show how the two differ in their
approaches.
Law and ethics both aim to regulate human behavior and enable social cooperation. They achieve this in the following
ways:

• Set standards of conduct: define morally right and undesirable acts.

• Promote shared values: such as fairness, honesty, compassion, and responsibility.
• Provide moral guidance: for making decisions and interact with others. They shape moral reasoning and help in
dilemmas.
• Restrain self-interest: They foster consideration of the greater good.
• Maintain order: based on agreed standards.

However, laws and ethics differ in their approaches in several key ways:

• Set standards of conduct: discovering the fundamental moral truth, natural law; based on reason.
• Promote shared values: conscience, empathy; rights and duties
• Provide moral guidance: for making decisions and interact with others. They shape moral reasoning and help in
dilemmas.
• Restrain self-interest: inner-dissonance, guilt; punishment
• Maintain order: sense of duty, control of emotion, devotion to service; rights, liberty, civil responsibility, social contract.

law and ethics share a common purpose in enabling social order, peace and progress. But ethics awakens humanity to
higher ideals and responsibility beyond enforcement.
A mere compliance with law is not enough, the public servant also has to have a well-developed sensibility to ethical
issues for effective discharge of duties.” Do you agree? Explain with the help of two examples, where (i) an act is
ethically right, but not legally and (ii) an act is legally right, but not ethically. [2015]
Distinguish between laws and rules. Discuss the role of ethics in formulating them [2020]
The Rules and Regulations provided to all the civil servants are same, yet there is difference in the performance.
Positive minded officers are able to interpret the Rules and Regulations in favour of the case and achieve success,
whereas negative minded officers are unable to achieve goals by interpreting the same Rules and Regulations
against the case. Discuss with illustrations. [2022]
What is meant by ‘crisis of conscience’? How does it manifest itself in the public domain? [2019]

'Crisis of conscience' refers to a situation where one feel obligated to act against one’s conscience and core ethical
values. This can create psychological turmoil, anxiety and distress.

Crisis of conscience is an opportunity to re-examine what is most important and rededicate oneself to that cause.
Conscience calls on us to rise above moral distress and live up to our principles. Resolving a crisis of conscience
requires moral courage.
What is meant by ‘crisis of conscience’? How does it manifest itself in the public domain? [2019]

Conflicts between professional duty and morality: When individuals feel obliged to act against their professional
ethics or Hippocratic oaths as a matter of "duty". For example, doctors asked to administer life-ending drugs against
their ethics or lawyers obligated to defend clients they believe to be guilty.
Principled stances: When individuals take a resolute public stance for moral and ethical reasons despite significant
opposition, risks to reputation or livelihood, or even legal consequences. For example, conscientious public stances
against oppression, racism or human rights abuses.
Resignation of officials: Kannan Gopinathan resigned from service as a mark of protest against the restrictions
imposed in Jammu and Kashmir following the abrogation of article 370.
Whistleblowing: When individuals disclose wrongdoing in organizations or governments to the public because their
conscience does not allow them to remain silent, even at risk to themselves.
Civil disobedience: When individuals protest in a non-violent manner or refuse to obey certain laws as a matter of
conscience because they believe the laws to be unjust or immoral.
Public interest litigation: For example, litigation to protect civil rights, the environment or marginalized groups.
In case of crisis of conscience does emotional intelligence help to overcome the same without compromising the
ethical or moral stand that you are likely to follow? [2021]
In case of crisis of conscience does emotional intelligence help to overcome the same without compromising the
ethical or moral stand that you are likely to follow? [2021]

Self-awareness: Emotional intelligence allows one to be aware of one's own moral values, principles and reasons for
conscience. With clarity on one's ethical stance, one can avoid being distracted or influenced by others. This awareness
provides conviction and strength of will.

Self-regulation: A crisis of conscience often creates anxiety, guilt and inner turmoil. Emotional intelligence helps one to
acknowledge these difficult feelings, while maintaining calm and composure. One can avoid rash actions and make
principled decisions.

Empathy: While staying true to one's conscience, emotional intelligence allows one to understand other perspectives
and address opponents with compassion. One can appeal to others in an ethical way, without hostility - focusing on
moral reasoning instead of accusations.

Social skills

Diffusing tensions: Emotional intelligence enables navigating tense situations with sensitivity and care. One can avoid
aggression or direct confrontation, reassuring others and easing anxieties where possible - even when faced with unjust
opposition or hostility towards one's moral stand.
In case of crisis of conscience does emotional intelligence help to overcome the same without compromising the
ethical or moral stand that you are likely to follow? [2021]

Finding common ground: Though a crisis of conscience implies clashing viewpoints, emotionally intelligent leaders look
for basic shared values and areas of agreement. They frame moral arguments in a way that brings people together
instead of accentuating differences. They aim to persuade through reason and common humanity.

Emotional intelligence is vital for navigating crises of conscience and moral disagreement. However, emotional
intelligence should not be used to compromise one's ethics or override the voice of conscience. Conscience itself
must guide above all else.
IS CONSCIENCE A MORE RELIABLE GUIDE WHEN COMPARED TO LAWS, RULES, AND REGULATIONS IN THE CONTEXT
OF ETHICAL DECISION-MAKING. DISCUSS
Examine the relevance of the following in the context of civil service: [2017]
(a) Transparency
(b) Accountability
(c) Fairness and justice
(d) Courage of conviction
(e) Spirit of service.
What does ‘accountability’ mean in the context of public service? What measures can be adopted to ensure
individual and collective accountability of public servants? [2014]
What do you understand by the terms ‘governance’, ‘good governance’ and ‘ethical governance’? [2016]
Identify ten essential values that are needed to be an effective public servant. Describe the /ways and means to
prevent non-ethical behaviour in the public servants. [2021]