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Ethics Class - 1st July PDF_38143561_2024_07_01_11_54
Ethics Class - 1st July PDF_38143561_2024_07_01_11_54
“Aptitude and foundational values for Civil Service, integrity, impartiality and
non-partisanship, objectivity, dedication to public service, empathy, tolerance and
compassion towards the weaker sections”
Aptitude Introduction
An aptitude is an innate inborn ability or capacity to learn or to do a certain kind of
work. Aptitude is what you're naturally good at, like being great at sports or art. It is not
knowledge, abilities, skills or attitudes.
Integrity
● Integrity is adherence to values and principles even in the face of temptation or
pressure.
● It is the quality of being honest, ethical, and having strong moral principles.
● It is putting public interest above personal interests and to fulfill obligations responsibly.
● It ensures that public money and other resources are used properly and efficiently.
● Public affairs are handled openly, fairly, efficiently, promptly, effectively and sensitively.
● It means that public servant shall comply with the law and uphold justice and be
courageous and committed to high standards even in difficult situations.
Integrity Examples:
● A senior police officer ordered his men to fire on unarmed protestors. Policeman of
integrity will refuse to fire even though senior’s orders are to be strictly followed.
● A supervisor who adheres to established procedures, even when it may be easier to take
shortcuts, demonstrates integrity. For example, when hiring new employees, the
supervisor may insist on conducting background checks, even if it takes longer to fill the
position.
● An administrator who is transparent and accountable in their decision-making
demonstrates integrity. For example, if there are budget cuts, the administrator may
hold an open meeting with employees to explain the reasons for the cuts.
● For example, recently, 'Digital arrest' scams are rising wherein cybercriminals
impersonate government officials. This highlights misuse of technology and lack of
values such as integrity and conscience on part of criminals.
CSM 2014 Q3(a): “Integrity without knowledge is weak and useless, but knowledge
without integrity is dangerous and dreadful.” What do you understand by this statement?
Explain your stand with illustrations from modern day context.
Answer: This statement highlights the importance of both integrity and knowledge in a
person's life. Integrity means putting obligations of public service above own personal
interests and upholding morals. It is validation of honesty. Knowledge refers to having
information, understanding, and expertise in a particular subject or field. (// Keywords)
3. Knowledge without integrity and character is one of the seven sins mentioned by
Gandhi. It is dangerous and dreadful as knowledge would be used for vested interests
and against society. For example, Laden and Duryodhana lacked integrity and used their
knowledge against society. (// Example 2)
// Diagram
For example, in MNC, an employee following all conduct codes but having poor technical
skills won’t achieve much career progression. On the other hand, an employee with
knowledge but poor values might harm the organization itself. (// Example 3)
Therefore, it is important to cultivate both integrity and knowledge in one's life through
ongoing education, ethical and moral reflection and practice. (// Conclusion)
CSM 2017 Q4(a): One of the tests of integrity is complete refusal to be compromised.
Explain with reference to a real-life example.
CSM 2018 Q3(b): “In looking for people to hire, you look for three qualities: integrity,
intelligence, and energy. And if they do not have the first, the other two will kill you.” –
Warren Buffett. What do you understand by this statement in the present-day scenario?
Explain.
CSM 2021 Q6(b): “Integrity is a value that empowers the human being’’. Justify with suitable
illustration.
Honesty
● Honesty is being truthful, sincere, and straightforward in all actions, words, and
intentions.
● It is the foundation of trust and credibility in personal and professional relationships.
● It is to set out facts and relevant issues truthfully.
“Slander cannot destroy an honest man, when the flood recedes the rock is there”. -
Chinese Proverb
“The least initial deviation from the truth is multiplied later a thousand-fold”. - Aristotle
Honesty Examples:
● An honest administrator is willing to acknowledge and report their mistakes. For
example, if a budget report contains errors, the administrator should admit to the
mistakes and take steps to correct them. This shows that the administrator values
honesty.
● An honest administrator communicates clearly and truthfully with employees,
stakeholders, and the public. For example, if there are changes in policies or procedures,
the administrator should explain the reasons for the changes and the expected
outcomes. Honest communication helps to build trust and maintain good relationships.
Honesty Integrity
Honesty is being truthful and free of deceit Integrity is steadfast adherence to a strict
moral or ethical code
Deals with words Deals with actions
Does not imply that a person adheres to a Implies that a person adheres to a moral
moral code code
Not a guarantee of integrity A guarantee (validation) of honesty
CSM 2013 Q2(a) & Q2(b): What do you understand by Integrity, Perseverance, Spirit of
service, Commitment and Courage of conviction in the context of public service? Indicate
two more attributes which you consider important for public service. Justify your answer.
CSM 2014 Q5(a): The current society is plagued with widespread trust-deficit. What are the
consequences of this situation for personal well-being and for societal well-being? What
can you do at the personal level to make yourself trustworthy?
CSM 2018 Q6(c): What do following quotation mean to you in the present context?
“Falsehood takes the place of truth when it results in unblemished common good.” _
Tirukkural
CSM 2022 Q3(c): What do following quotation mean to you in the present context? “Judge
your success by what you had to give up in order to get it”- Dalai Lama
Objectivity
Objectivity Subjectivity
Based on external facts Based on personal opinion
True for everyone Essentially internal
More absolutist Relative
Impartiality
● Impartiality is acting on merits & serving equally well Governments of all political
ideologies.
● It means that decisions should be based on objective criteria rather than on bias,
prejudice or preferring the benefit to one person over another for improper reasons.
● Carry out your responsibilities in a way that is fair, just and equitable.
● It is identified as a core value in professional ethics.
Objectivity and Impartiality Example: Suppose that you are given the responsibility to select
the contractor to build a road. You will be expected to make the selection based on objective
criteria and with complete impartiality on every front.
The broad concept of impartiality is frequently displaced by the more specific notion of
moral impartiality according to which impartiality may be desirable or undesirable in the
context of ethical decision-making. Kant’s CI-1 emphasizes impartiality. CI-1 states that we
must not act on any personal maxim which we could not consistently will to be a universal
law. However, unlike Kant, Rawls argued that we must sometimes dispense with impartiality
and, instead, treat people differently in order to achieve true justice. Rawls called this “the
difference principle.”
You Must Not act in a way that unjustifiably favours or discriminates against particular
individuals or interests.
Political Neutrality Example: A civil servant shall maintain discipline in the discharge of his
duties and be liable to implement the lawful orders duly communicated to him. He/she
shouldn’t be just a yes-man and be mindful that orders are lawful and do not violate
foundational value of political neutrality.
Impartiality vs Non-partisanship
While political neutrality is focused on avoiding taking sides in political debates, impartiality
goes further and requires treating all individuals and groups equally. Here are some
examples:
● A government official who is politically neutral would not openly support any particular
political party or candidate, while an impartial official would treat all parties and
candidates equally in their decision-making process.
● A news outlet that is politically neutral would avoid taking a stance on political issues,
while an impartial outlet would present all sides of an issue fairly and accurately.
Compassion
Compassion Examples:
● Providing Support to Vulnerable Populations: A compassionate public servant shows
care and concern for vulnerable populations. For example, a social worker may help a
homeless person find temporary shelter or connect them with resources to address their
needs.
● Responding to Crises and Emergencies: A compassionate public servant shows empathy
and understanding in times of crisis or emergency. For example, emergency responders
may provide comfort and reassurance to people affected by a disaster and go beyond
the call of duty to alleviate suffering and provide support to those in need.
CSM 2020 Q6(a): What do following quotation mean to you in the present context?
“Condemn none: if you can stretch out a helping hand, do so. If not, fold your hands, bless
your brothers, and let them go their own way.” – Swami Vivekanand
Answer: Swami Vivekanand emphasized to provide the public only positive education,
because negative thoughts deteriorate men. He also said that if people are encouraged and
are not unnecessarily criticized all the time, they are bound to improve in time. He said that
three things are necessary to make every man great and every nation great: (// Keywords +
Points)
1. Conviction of the powers of goodness.
2. Absence of jealousy and suspicion.
3. Helping all who are trying to be and do well.
The above quote is in same lines and aims to spread only positivity with no space for
negativity. Further, as per me, it means as under:
1. India’s 2020 Tokyo Olympics performance was its best ever yet many criticized athletes
for want of Gold medals. This despite the fact that no critic actually would have helped
athletes ever. Rather than baseless condemnation, if people try to help athletes or at
least not spread negativity, then sportsmen will perform to their potential. (// Example
1)
2. Covid-19 forced migration of workers/helpers. While many people helped them by
paying at least a month’s salary others condemned the workers. While condemnation
helped no one, when covid situation improved, those workers who were helped were
happy to return. (// Example 2)
// Diagram
3. Public servants face severe scrutiny and condemnation even for their honest mistakes.
On other hand, they hardly receive blessings for their good work as same is treated as
their duty. Such attitude affects their morale and spirit. (// Example 3)
Thus, it is better to either help someone or leave a person on his/her own rather than
condemning him/her. (// Conclusion)
CSM 2022 Q1(b): Apart from intellectual competency & moral qualities, empathy &
compassion are some of the other viral attributes that facilitate the civil servants to be more
competent in tackling the crucial issues or taking critical decisions. Explain with suitable
illustrations.
CSM 2023 Q3(a): What does this quotation convey to you in present context? “The simplest
arts of kindness are by far more powerful than a thousand heads bowing in prayer.”- Gandhi
Tolerance
● Tolerance is defined as a fair and objective outlook towards those whose lifestyle differ
from us and is a skill we need to live together peacefully.
● Tolerance comprises of allowing people to exercise their rights, religious or
constitutional.
● It teaches us to exercise restraint in sensitive matters.
● It means showing respect for diversity in race, gender, opinions, religion and ideologies.
● Tolerance leads to unity in diversity and a true pluralistic society.
● In the context of public service, tolerance enables public servants to work effectively
with people from diverse backgrounds and communities.
Tolerance Example:
● A person might disagree with others while at the same time honouring and respecting
them.
● Accommodating Different Religious Practices: In a multicultural society, public servants
need to be tolerant of different religious practices and beliefs. For example, if a
government office is open on a religious holiday, some employees may need time off to
observe the holiday. By being tolerant, public servants can create an inclusive work
environment that respects the diversity of their staff and the communities they serve.
● Working with Diverse Communities: Public servants work with communities that have
different cultural norms. For example, if a police officer is working with an immigrant
population, they may need to be tolerant of different communication styles and
customs.
Perseverance
● Perseverance refers to the ability to persist and continue working towards a goal despite
facing obstacles, challenges, or setbacks. It involves maintaining effort, commitment, and
determination over a prolonged period of time, even in the face of adversity or
difficulties.
● It is often seen as a key factor in achieving success and reaching full potential as it allows
individuals to overcome obstacles and keep moving forward towards goals. It requires a
combination of resilience, mental toughness and focus.
● Perseverance plays an important role in guiding ethical behavior and decision-making by
enabling individuals to stay committed to their values and principles even when faced
with challenging situations. Ethical decision-making often requires individuals to stand
up for what is right, even in the face of opposition or resistance.
Perseverance Examples:
● During the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare workers displayed tremendous perseverance
in providing critical care and support to patients despite the risks.
● In the aftermath of natural disasters, emergency public service workers display
perseverance by working tirelessly to provide aid and support to affected communities.
CSM 2021 Q3(a): What does following quotation mean to you? “Every work has got to pass
through hundreds of difficulties before succeeding. Those that persevere will see the light,
sooner or later” – Swami Vivekananda
Loyalty
● Loyalty is the commitment to serve and support the mission and values of an
organization. In the context of public service, loyalty means being dedicated to serving
the public and upholding law and ethics.
● You need to be loyal, while operating within a strong moral compass and make an
independent judgement.
● If you demonstrate your loyalty, it builds trust.
● Loyalty of a public servant shall be to the public interest.
● Steer clear of conflicts of interest and if you ever decide to leave your organization, do it
on the best of terms. Give reasonable notice, respect any information that was gained in
your former employer and never engage in activities that take advantage of a previous
position.
Loyalty Example:
● There are innumerable examples of public servants who manifest loyalty in public service
by upholding public interest and organizational ethics. They do it despite huge pressure
from various quarters. Life of Dr. Kalam teaches valuable lessons of loyalty.
● Upholding the Law: Public servants are expected to be loyal to the law, regardless of
their personal opinions or beliefs. For example, police officers are expected to uphold
the law even when it means enforcing laws they may disagree with.
● Serving the Public Interest: By being loyal to the public interest, public servants
demonstrate their commitment to serving the common good.
● For example, recently, two police officials were suspended in the Pune Porsche case for
not timely informing the control room about the incident and this amounted to
dereliction or neglecting the duty as well as raised doubts over their loyalties.
● For example, loyalties were in play in recently concluded IPL when Hardik Pandya
decided to switch sides for personal and professional growth.
Collegiality
● Collegiality refers to the quality of working collaboratively and cooperatively with
colleagues towards a shared goal or purpose. In the context of public service, collegiality
is an essential attribute for leaders to possess, as it helps to foster positive relationships
and create a supportive working environment.
● It indicates the way colleagues take collective responsibility for their work.
● It represents a reciprocal relationship among colleagues with a commitment to
sustaining a positive and productive environment.
● It involves respect for professional expertise.
● It involves giving and receiving feedback in a positive manner and managing conflicts
constructively.
Collegiality Examples:
● Team work is of utmost importance for handling, for example, a mob situation or for
rescue-rehabilitation operation during disaster. Implementing policy isn’t a one man
show.
● Collaborative Decision-Making: For example, a team of managers may work together to
develop a strategic plan for a government agency, with each member bringing their
unique perspective and expertise to the process. This collaborative approach ensures
that decisions are informed by a diversity of viewpoints and are made in the best
interests of the organization.
● Supportive Work Environment: A collegial public servant fosters a supportive work
environment that values teamwork and collaboration. For example, a supervisor may
encourage open communication and feedback. This creates a sense of camaraderie and
mutual support among colleagues, which can help to improve morale and productivity.
CSM 2018 Case 2: As a senior officer in the Ministry, you have access to important policy
decisions and upcoming big announcements, such as road constructions projects before
they are notified in the public domain. The Ministry is about to announce a mega road
project for which the drawings are already in place. Sufficient care was taken by the
planners to make use of the government land with the minimum land acquisition from
private parties. Compensation rate for private parties was also finalized as per
government rules. Care was also taken to minimize deforestation. Once the project is
announced, it is expected that there will be a huge spurt in real estate prices in and
around that area. Meanwhile, the Minister concerned insists that you re-align the road in
such a way that it comes closer to his 20 acres farmhouse. He also suggests that he would
facilitate the purchase of a big plot of land in your wife name at the prevailing rate which
is very nominal, in and around the proposed mega road project. He also tries to convince
you by saying that there is no harm in it, as he is buying the land legally. He even
promises to supplement your savings in case you do not have sufficient funds to buy the
land. However, by the act of re-alignment, a lot of agricultural land has to be acquired,
thereby causing a considerable financial burden on the government, and also the
displacement of the farmers. As if this is not enough, it will involve cutting down of a
large number of trees denuding the area of its green cover. Faced with this situation,
what will you do? Critically examine various conflicts of interest and explain what your
responsibilities are as a public servant.
Answer: Conflicts of case:
1. Transparency vs. misuse of official position.
2. ‘Corruption’ demanded from me by minister in lure of land deal in wife’s name.
3. Limiting private land acquisition to minimum.
4. This is a case which shows how possibly the nexus between a political executive and a
civil servant gets formed.
5. Personal illegal gains by benefitting a political executive.
6. In the case of refusing to adhere to the minister, there may be transfer from the post or
may be given post less important. Even on some flimsy ground, departmental
proceedings may be started against me.
7. There is also involved the issue of making a wrong decision which can be questioned in
the future.
8. I would also go against my conscience which has adverse impact on one’s morals.
9. Taking away of agricultural land would deprive farmers of their livelihood in the altered
diagram.
10. Then the issue of clearing trees would adversely impact environment.
11. Private vested interest of minister driven by greed vs. valid public interest
(utilitarianism).
My responsibilities:
1. I being a civil servant have to ensure that the public money is not wasted at all and the
best infrastructures created. This ensures Aquinas’ justice virtue.
2. Besides this, it has to be also ensured that the fundamental rights of the people are
protected.
3. The end goal is the welfare of the people and not private interest of minister or mine.
This requires one to practice temperance as a virtue as mentioned by Aquinas.
4. Fundamental duty to protect environment.
5. See that the work is done as per rules by applying prudence to best effect.
My actions:
I will use my Moral Intuition & Reasoning to arrive at holistic solution as under:
1. I would refuse to follow the instructions of the minister. This requires exercising
fortitude.
2. I would apprise him the difficulties in his suggested new plan and try to discuss it
through in line with discourse ethics and principle of syadwad.
3. I would also tell him about the difficulties like farmer agitation, delay in the project.
4. There is also great chance of the minister’s involvement being known to people and it
would create bad image of the minister.
5. If the minister would try more and press for it, I would approach the secretary of the
department and apprise him of the issues.
Thus, I would act in the above ways using skills of persuasion, emotional intelligence
and attitude change. The popular and environmental concern should be above personal
gains and civil servants should not bend before minister’s illegal demands in line with
principles of righteousness and honesty prescribed for civil servants by Confucius.