Renowned Thoughts: Elevating Your Ethics Arguments
1. The Kantian Categorical Imperative Immanuel Kant’s concept of the “Categorical Imperative” is a powerful tool for addressing dilemmas in public administration. His famous dictum—“Act only according to that maxim whereby you can, at the same time, will that it should become a universal law”—is the ultimate test for any administrative decision. In your paper, use this to argue against corruption or “shortcuts.” If an officer justifies taking a bribe “just this once,” they must ask if they would want that action to become a universal law for all officers. It helps establish that duty is absolute and not conditional on circumstances.
2. Gandhiji’s Seven Social Sins Mahatma Gandhi’s “Seven Social Sins,” published in Young India in 1925, remains one of the most relevant frameworks for the Ethics paper. Concepts like “Politics without Principles,” “Wealth without Work,” and “Commerce without Morality” provide ready-made headings for analyzing socio-economic issues. Rachit Raj suggests using these to critique modern-day governance or corporate scandals. Referencing these “sins” shows that your ethical understanding is rooted in Indian political philosophy and the foundational values of the nation.
3. Utilitarianism vs. Rights-Based Ethics The clash between Jeremy Bentham’s “Greatest good for the greatest number” and a rights-based approach is a common theme in UPSC case studies. While utilitarianism is often the default for policy-making (e.g., building a dam that displaces a few to benefit millions), you must balance it with John Rawls’ “Theory of Justice.” Using Rawls’ “Veil of Ignorance,” you can argue that a truly ethical policy is one that you would agree to even if you didn’t know which social position you would occupy. This demonstrates a sophisticated ability to protect the interests of the most vulnerable.
4. Aristotle’s Golden Mean For questions regarding conflict resolution or emotional intelligence, Aristotle’s “Golden Mean” is an invaluable thought. Aristotle argued that virtue lies in the middle of two extremes—for example, courage is the mean between cowardice and recklessness. In administration, this translates to “Balanced Judgment.” Whether dealing with a law-and-order situation or a budget allocation, an officer must avoid the extremes of being too rigid or too lenient. This thought illustrates your commitment to “Prudence,” which Aristotle considered the most important virtue for a leader.
5. The Socratic Method and Intellectual Honesty Socrates’ famous claim that “The unexamined life is not worth living” serves as a foundation for self-awareness and accountability in civil service. In Ethics, this refers to the practice of “Internal Audit”—constantly questioning one’s own biases and motives. In your answers, you can use Socratic thought to defend the need for transparency and feedback. It suggests that a good administrator is not one who knows everything, but one who is wise enough to admit what they do not know and is committed to finding the truth.
6. Swami Vivekananda’s Philosophy of Character Swami Vivekananda’s emphasis on “Character Building” as the end-goal of education is a recurring theme in GS 4. His thought—“Character is repeated habits, and repeated habits alone can reform character”—is particularly useful when discussing “Aptitude and Foundational Values.” It reinforces the idea that ethical behavior in a crisis is not an accident but a result of long-term practice and discipline. Using Vivekananda’s thoughts adds a dimension of “Spiritual Strength” and “Selfless Service” (Seva) to your answers, which resonates deeply with the Indian administrative ethos.