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SMART LEADERS IAS

TEST-8 EXPLANATION
GENERAL STUDIES MAINS
1)
a) What are the most common negative emotions at work? How can you overcome it?
Emotion: a natural instinctive state of mind deriving from ones circumstances, mood or
relationships with others.
Emotions most certainly have a large influence on how we react to a situation or to our decisionmaking. Emotion is an integral part of lives whether personal or professional.
A workplace is a social place and social is connected to emotions. People find most satisfaction at
the workplace if they get along with team members, managers or organization.
Good positive emotions: Joy, elation, lively, pleasant, compassion, dedication, humor, fascination,
surprise, gratitude
Negative emotions: Shouting, screaming, depressed, bored, sad, scared, disgusted, anger,
annoyed, envy, contempt
Emotions are part of ones self and not an exhibit to show to others particularly, negative
emotions.
Negative emotions are powerful guides to what needs to change in ones life.
Questioning oneself within about the situation and emotions will help. For example, Whats at
risk?
Positive reinforcement of success achieved earlier can serve as an antidote to the toxin of negative
emotions.
J.K-A dialogue is important. It is a form of communication with question and answer continuing
till a question is left without an answer.

ALL INDIA SOCIOLOGY TOPPERS


MENTORED BY S.SIVARAJAVEL
2015

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Ms. SHARANYA ARI IAS (256/500) AIR-7


Dr. R.VAITHINATHAN IAS (262/500) AIR-37

2014

Mr.V.ATUL KULKARNI IPS (286/500)

2013

Mr.SELVANAGARATHINAM IPS (240/500)

2012

Mr.BASKARAN IPS (197/300)

2011

Mr. RAMKUMAR IFS (198/300)

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b) What are ethical dilemmas? Is it a common occurrence or a rarity for a civil servant to face
ethical dilemmas? Elaborate.
An ethical dilemma is one in which a person has to choose between various options, usually
two, which are morally correct but in conflict.
Ethics is a system of codes of morals of a particular person which comes into play not in an
isolated manner, but on interplay in every day situation.
Ethical dilemma makes one prioritize ones choice in the order of preference, according to how
one is placed as an individual or in an organization.
A certainty and conviction of an answer in situations of ethical dilemma is an insurmountable
task, particularly for public administrators.
In public life as an administrator, the complexity of situations arises, where faithfulness to the
organization, responsibility to the public and also the need to be ethical moral is faced on a
day-to-day basis, which is the most demanding aspect in public life.
A public administrators career is one of making decisions and its faithful implementation. A
public servants career is nothing but filled with decision-making.
Such decisions may sometimes be choosing between right or wrong which is easier to handle.
But the varied nature of government functions, responsibility to the office and accountability
bring the scenario of right vs right dilemmas. These are tougher to deal with.
The major functions of civil servants such as maintaining peace, collecting revenues,
distribution of resources, promoting development, etc. poses multitudes of situations for
ethical dilemmas.
2)
a) What considerations you think one must keep in mind when deciding whether euthanasia is
morally justified or not? Explain with illustrations.
Utilitarianism:
I believe that the following argument is sound and proves that active euthanasia can be justified:
If an action promotes the best interests of everyone concerned, and violates no ones rights,
then that action is morally acceptable.
In at least some cases, active euthanasia promotes the best interests of everyone concerned
and violates no ones rights.
Therefore, in at least some cases active euthanasia is morally acceptable.
How can it be wrong to do an action that is merciful, benefits everyone concerned, and violates
no ones rights?
Rachels uses utilitarianism to argue that when euthanasia benefits everyone concerned by
putting an end to a persons pain and suffering and violates no ones rights, it is morally justified.
Kant argues that we should act only on rules that we are willing to have applied universally; that
is, we should behave, as we would be willing to have everyone behave. If we would not be willing
for the rule to be followed universally, then we should not follow it ourselves. Thus, if we are not
willing for others to apply the rule to us, we ought not to apply it to them.
The application of all this to the question of euthanasia is obvious. Each of us is going to die
someday, although most of us do not know when or how. However, suppose you were told that
you would die in one of two ways, and you were asked to choose between them. First, you could
die quietly, and without pain, from a fatal injection. Or second, you could choose to die of an
affliction so painful that for several days before death you would be reduced to howling like a dog,
with your family standing by helplessly, trying to comfort you, but going through its own
psychological hell. It is hard to believe that any sane person, when confronted by these
possibilities would choose to have a rule applied that would force upon him or her the second
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option. And if we would not want such a rule, which excludes euthanasia, applied to us, then we
should not apply such a rule to others. Yet this Kantian approach may assume a kind of ideal
situation that does not obtain in a hospital situation.
How realistic is it to expect a person suffering the extremities of a painful terminal illness
drugged, depressed, and perhaps subject to the subtle manipulations of an exhausted familyto
be able to make choices that are free and rational?
Gay-Williams uses natural law ethics to argue that because we have a natural inclination toward
life and because our dignity comes from seeking that toward which we have a natural inclination,
it is wrong to destroy life through euthanasia.
Each approach calls our attention to one or more of the factors that we must take into account
to evaluate the morality of active euthanasia. Natural law reminds us of the intrinsic value of the
basic good of life. It informs us that we should not take life without serious cause and without due
consideration. The utilitarian argument of Rachels tells us that in some cases the evil of pain may
override the value of the basic good of life. And Rachels proviso reminds us of the key importance
of securing a persons voluntary consent before administering euthanasia. Finally, the Kantian
argument reminds us of our fundamental interdependence: What we may want others to do for us
when we are in need; we should now be willing to do for those presently in need.

Our Student, Ms. Sharanya Ari (AIR-7, Tamil Nadu Rank-1)


Felicitated by Mr.U.Sagayam IAS

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b) What knowledge, skills, and abilities does one need to be ethically competent?
An ethically competent government manager is:
(1) committed to high standards of personal and professional behaviour,
(2) has knowledge of relevant ethics codes and laws,
(3) has the ability to engage in ethical reasoning when confronted with challenging situations,
(4) is able to identify and act on public service ethics and values, and
(5) promotes ethical practices and behaviour in public agencies and organizations.
Ethical Competencies include:
Be knowledgeable of ethical principles
Be aware and informed of relevant professional codes of ethics
Recognize and promote constitutional principles of equality, fairness, etc.
Representativeness
Recognize and support the publics right to know the publics business
Respect the law
Serve the public interest
Engage in ethical reasoning
Recognize and differentiate between ethical and management issues
Respect and protect privileged information
Embrace and promote ethical behaviour and practices in the workplace
Refuse to do something unethical
Maintain truthfulness and honesty
Guard against conflict of interest or its appearance
Be responsible for ones behaviour
3.
(a) In public office, which one is more damaging coercive bribery or non-coercive bribery?
Substantiate.
Corruption: Corruption is an abuse of entrusted power or office for personal gain.
In any corrupt transaction, there are two parties: the briber giver and the bribe taker.
Offence of bribery has 2 categories.
1) Coercive Bribery: Bribe-giver is a victim of extortion. He is compelled to pay for a service and
if he doesnt comply, ends up losing much more than the bribe. The delay, harassments,
uncertainty, lost opportunity, loss of work, wage-all result due to non-compliance with
demands of bribe.
2) Non-coercive or Collusive Bribery: Bribe-giver motivates the official to accept the bribe for
favours in return. In this case, bribe-giver is guiltier than the taker. Those are usually for substandard works, like distorting competition, robbing the exchequer, tax evasion, public
services, etc.,
This presents the classical argument as between Fundamental Rights and Fundamental Duties.
Everyone is equally entitled to receive benefits and equally duty based to not budge pressure
to give or take bribe.
Both forms are harmful. But it is the coercive bribery which is on the rise. This signifies the
misuse of official power and shows the degradation of institutional values and has had serious
impact on the developmental aspirations of the country.
A concept of public office not only rejects bribe, but also avoids any collusive bribery from the
public.
In public office, the members are expected to maintain integrity and hence coercive bribery is
very harmful.
But collusive bribery reflects the degradation of societal beliefs on values and falling standards
of morality, as this mentality reflects the belief that one can do anything (moral or otherwise)
to get their job done. Hence for the nation as a whole, collusive bribery is more damaging.
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(b) What impedes in the creativity of ethical decisions in public office?
Ethical decisions need to be strongly based on established norms of law, constitution, institutional
codes.
In addition, there are certain standards in ethics which one rely upon when tough questions are
faced.
There are certain personal standards that fail to see the opportunities in these ethical decisions
and are often seen as conflicts.
These are relativism, dogmatism and subjectivism. According to Weston, these isms are
referred to as ethical avoidance disorders.
The relativism, subjectivism leads to ethical laziness which could be called as rationalizing or off
hand self justification (Eg: terms like Its all relative)
The conclusion that there is no objective truth in morality hinders creativity and progressive
dialogue.
Subjectivism relies on the assumption that values are differential.
Moral decisions are not always based on philosophical thoughts of utilitarianism or deontology,
but on creativity.
The fear /uncertainty of the consequence involved in the decisions make one not to rely upon
creativity.

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4.
(a) Do you think there is some Ethics in politics of today? Suggest steps to incorporate ethics in
politics.
Ethics in todays politics is on the decline. This can very well be seen from the various allegations
of scam and corruption that are emerging from time to time.
Examples are the 2G Spectrum scam, the Agusta Westland Chopper scam, etc.
Criminalization of politics has become the buzzword today where politics is used by self-interest
seeking persons for pecuniary and nefarious gains.
Some other ethical issues seen in todays politics are:
Personal moral corruption
No decency in exchange of opinion
No acceptance of an alternative idea. Zero tolerance to others views
Divisiveness
Absence of leadership
Discrimination seen on various basis- religion, regional, gender based
Unaccounted money flowing in political parties and used in election campaigns.
Various steps have to be incorporated immediately and persistently to rid politics of criminal
and dishonest element.
Ethics can be incorporated in 2 ways.
1. From the part of parents, school, society. Teaching a child right from a tender age the
difference between what is right and wrong can lay a firm moral foundation. Once this is
done, chances are very less that he will become corrupt in future.
2. Having strict laws and imposing punishment with certainty for wrong doings will go a long
way in creating a deterrence effect in the minds of people who are not serious about
complying with the laws.
Efforts have been taken to increase the accountability of officials. Example,
The introduction of the Right to Information Act is a step towards increasing transparency
in the functioning of the government.
Digitization of land records in Karnataka by the Project Bhoomi, implemented by the
National Informatics Centre, is a step towards increasing accountability in the government.
By introducing objectivity in these areas, avenue for curbing corruption has widened.
By pursuing such policies relentlessly, ethics can be incorporated in the functioning of politics.

Our Student, N.L. Beno Zephine, India's 1st visually challenged IFS Officer
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(b) Mention two role models is India who have inspired you the most. What have you learned
from them?
Mention any two personalities of your choice, preferably those who are well-known, so that the
examiner does not have any difficulty identifying with the qualities of the personality you
mentioned.
For example,
1. Dr. Abdul Kalam, for his virtues of honesty, integrity, truth, simplicity, etc.
2. Mother Teresa for the unparalleled service that she has delivered to the poor, the needy
and the destitute.
3. Swami Vivekananda for being an inspiration to the youth.

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5. Many countries including India have realised the dangers of surrogacy agreements and, in
pursuit of the best interest of the child, enacted legislation to ban or strictly regulate
surrogacy. Explain the ethical issues emerging from surrogacy. (150 words) (10 marks)
Even in countries where commercial surrogacy is prohibited, women may be coerced into
accepting surrogacy, e.g. through emotional pressure, threats or promises concerning their jobs etc.
Regarding socio-economic situations, commissioning parents usually are older, richer and better
educated than surrogate mothers, which create a sharp imbalance of power.
Even where surrogate mothers may not be paid, they may receive compensation which is
sometimes so high that it is a clear incentive for surrogacy. Surrogacy implies psychological
detachment on the part of the gestational mothers. She must not attach to her child. Detachment
impacts both the woman and the child. More and more medical and psychological studies highlight
the importance of the links created during pregnancy between the mother and the child, and their
importance for the childs development. Long-term consequences on the child can be inferred from
those children relinquished for adoption or born after an in vitro fertilization with donor, since
surrogacy combines aspects of both situations, and adds more complexity. In addition to difficulties
regarding the establishment of filiation and nationality of the child, problems may arise in numerous
situations- if the surrogate mothers health or life are threatened during pregnancy, if the surrogate
mother changes her mind and wants to keep the child, if the commissioning parents part during
pregnancy and do not want the child any longer, if the child is born with a disability and neither the
surrogate mother nor the commissioning parents want him or her, if a disability is detected during
pregnancy, can the surrogate mother be obliged to abort?
In surrogacy, the woman rents her body. This should at a minimum alert us to the very strong
possibility that surrogacy is a new form of exploitation and trafficking in women. In surrogacy, the
child is treated as a commodity, the object of a legal agreement. The aim of surrogacy is to fulfil the
desire of adults, to enable foreign parents to satisfy their wish for a child at any price.
1. Surrogacy as Exploitation: Making Commodities of Babies and Mothers, Surrogacy compromises
the dignity of the child by making the child the object of a contracta commodity. It further
compromises the dignity of the mother, even if her participation is voluntary, by merely treating her
as a womb for hire.
2. Psychological Detachment: Surrogate mothers have described the detached, business-like
mindset before the birth of the baby.
3. Fears During Pregnancy and the Pitfalls of a Continuing Relationship between the Surrogate
and the Contracting Parents: The surrogacy process is filled with inherent tensions for all the
parties involved; tensions that do not exist in a traditional pregnancy. A contracting father observed
some of the struggles of the men involved in the process. The relationship between the surrogate
mother and the [contracting] father is a difficult relationship. Heres the lady whos actually carrying
your natural baby of which there is no relationship between the two parties. Very unusual, unnerving
sort of relationship. Efforts need to be made so that [the surrogate mothers husband] wasnt left out.
It is an unusual scenario.
4. Exploitation: The surrogate mother is loved and used, then forgotten. This is why many women
experience emotional anxiety over relinquishing the child.
5. Emotional Struggles of the Contracting Parents after the Babys Birth: Why had I been chosen
to miss out on the act of giving birth, to be left out of the circle of life?
6) What do you understand by the term religiousness? How is it different from religion?
Religiousness is the core principle or the values that are advocated by a religion. For example,
Buddhism advocates tolerance and kindness towards all living beings. Islam preaches universal
brotherhood. Hinduism places much importance on truth.

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Therefore, religiousness can be defined as the core value that a religion is centered on while a
religion is an established faith or a collective belief system, having a wider following.
So, a person is a Muslim of he follows Islam.
But if he considers his next door neighbours as his brothers irrespective of their religion, then he
is said to be religious.
A person does not have to follow a particular religion to be religious. One does not have to be a
Muslim, to consider his next-door-neighbor a brother.
So, religiousness can exist without the religion. But religion cannot thrive in the absence of
religiousness.
The tree of religion cannot spread its branches, in the absence of the roots of religiousness.
In todays world, where people fight on the lines of religion, for superficial and shallow
expressions of their respective faiths, it is all the more important to understand what
religiousness means.
The need of the hour is a proper understanding and imbibing of religiousness.

Our Student, Dr.R.Vaithinathan (AIR-37, Tamil Nadu Rank-2)


Felicitated by Mr.U.Sagayam IAS

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7)
(a) What do you understand by the term moral value? Identify any three moral values upon
which the foundation of Indian Society is built.
Moral values are a set of values that are prescribed to be followed for a right way of life. These are
the principles that are advocated for proper conduct. While values are defined, universal and
definite, morals are subjective, personal and are bound to change depending upon the persons
impulses. For example, honesty, integrity, tolerance, etc., are values, and your morals depend
upon your decision on whether to implement them or not. Morals or morality is subject to your
decision, while values remain steady.
Indian society is very often synonymous with the sound value system that has been developed
and put in place.
Indian society is built with certain values as the base:
1) Tolerance and acceptance of others that helps in co-existence
2) Religiousness is an integral part of the culture
3) Undue importance to duty and truth
4) Honesty as a core value
5) Non-violence
6) Peace and harmony
7) Ideas of brotherhood
8) Respect for women and children
9) Respect to animals and environment
10)Significant place for health and hygiene
You can choose any three values from the above listed values.
(b) The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.
Service to mankind is service God said Swami Vivekananda.
Service is often a misunderstood term. It is defined as the act of helping or doing work for
someone. But there is a basic difference between service and work. When you work for someone,
there are benefits that arise from such work-monetary or otherwise. When you work for
someone, then there may be some objective behind that work, some ulterior motive to do that
work. You do work in return for a reward or a payment. A reward is the motive of the work that
is done.
But service is selfless in nature, done with nothing expected in return, done with nothing expected
in return, done for the sake of serving the person.
Work is the means to earn the end, which is the reward.
But, service is the end in itself. Service is done for the sake of serving the person/people involved.
In work, there is the ego of self. But, when you serve someone, the idea of self vanishes and
service is elevated as the means and the end. There is no giver in a service. The giver loses his self
in the service of others and melts in it.
But by way of losing his self in service, one is also guided towards discovering this real self. By
losing his ego and dissolving in the act of serving others, one finds the God in himself. In the
dissolution, the individual finds his original self.
8) Describe some situations you have confronted that posed a moral dilemma for you. What
do you think that you should have done in each of those situations? What moral theories
do you feel come closest to explaining why you should have done that?
Describe some situation which is not too personal, and key words like the values that were in
conflict because of the situation and how you approached the issue and solved it. Reason your
actions rationally.
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9)
You have passed UPSC Civil Services exam with a very good rank and you have given
first preference to IAS and your home state. You will get home cadre as you are the topper
from the state and there is vacancy available under your category. A former Chief Minister,
who belongs to your caste, now wants to make you his Son-in-Law. Just like you, his daughter
is also a graduate from top foreign university, she is very beautiful and as per information
gathered from different sources by your parents, she is a down to earth and sweet girl.
The former Chief Minister is also the head of the political party he belongs to and there is
every chance that he would become Chief Minister again if his party comes to power in the
next elections. Your parents are on cloud nine ever since this marriage offer has been
proposed.
The former Chief Minister was jailed for few years in the past on corruption and murder
charges. There are serious cases still pending against him in different courts. He is very rich.
He has only one daughter.
His family has liked you a lot for your personality and looks also. They want you to be their
Son-in-Law at any cost. The girl has also liked you. Recently they have sent costly gifts to your
parents, which you were unaware of.
a) Do you think it is unethical for you to marry the girl as you are going to serve in the
same state and where there are chances of you working under your future Father-in-Law?
b) Critically examine ethical issues involved in this case study.
a) Under this situation I will marry the girl as she is well educated and down to earth, and my parents
also like her. I dont think there will be any issue in this. More specifically, I dont think that
anyone can affect my integrity, influence my decision or take undue advantage of my position until
I give him the power to do so. For a civil servant it is very important to make clear differentiation
between his personal affairs and professional duties. And what is the guarantee that if I marry
some other girl then her parents or relatives will not try to take undue advantage of my post? Here
the question is related to my integrity, and I am constitutionally bound to do my duty, and do so
without any external pressure.
b) The ethical issues involved in the above case are:
i. Personal life vs Professional life
ii. Honesty vs uncertainty
iii. In future, after getting married to the girl, even if I am unbiased, questions would be raised
about my integrity. (Nepotism)
iv.
As a civil servant, it is very important for me that my decisions are not based on my prejudice.
Some might point out that I am marrying the daughter of a criminal. But, laws clearly reveal
that no person is guilty until proven so. Also even if he is proven guilty, there is no fault with
her daughter as she is down to earth and gentle. Just being a daughter of a criminal does not
make her a criminal.
10) St. Xavier Higher Secondary School is well known for its strict disciplinary practices in
the city. Mr. John is the new Physical Education Teacher who joined the school a few months
back. The schools disciplinary actions have been effective especially when it comes to the use
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of drugs, no second chance is given to the student and summarily dismissed from the school.
Mr. John is assigned as the in-charge of the disciplinary committee. The previous school
where Mr. John worked adopted a more inclusionary discipline approach rather than punitive
measures followed in St. Xavier School.
Kamal, a student from St. Xavier School was caught having drugs in his possession. Mr. John
realizes that Kamal will be immediately suspended, as per the policies of the School. Mr. John,
being in-charge of the disciplinary committee, talked to the class teacher of Kamal and learns
that the boy is in distress. Kamals father left home leaving his mother and 2 younger siblings
on their own. Kamal works part-time job to assist his mother. After going through the
investigation, John prepares the paperwork for Kamals dismissal from the school. John
realizes that, if suspended, it will be the end of Kamals education and he may lose his parttime job and a great pressure may befall their family. Meanwhile, John receives a call from the
Principal demanding the paperwork to be finished soon and he feels upset about it. Explain
the ethical dilemmas in this situation. What will be best possible way to deal with this
situation?
AN ACTION-PLAN that incorporates the best choices you've made in all of the above listed steps.
Mr. John caught Kamal having drugs in his possession, but it is not sure whether he uses it or
he was framed by someone else.
He should investigate the matter thoroughly and there are 2 possibilities:
o He is framed
o He uses drugs
To clear the suspicion of being framed, he should investigate the matter further explaining it to
the principal and delay the paper work.
If it is confirmed that Kamal is using drugs:
o Mr. John should first convince the principal that suspension might scare other students but
Kamal's future will be in question.
o He along with other important staffs of the school should develop a more participatory and
intrinsic method to handle such situation like Kamal's and others in future for any wrong
doings by
Giving in-school suspension
Partial attendance,
Diversion programmes
Assign alternative work to the student, some of which may be difficult to coordinate
with ongoing class activities.
o This way, Mr. John can convince the principal that we can improve the safety/school
climate for all the students by disciplining the students causing problems by issuing a
workable warning.
His mother should be informed and called for a meeting and the teacher must explain her the
situation and take help from her in disciplining her child.
CONSEQUENCES on each major participant

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o Mr. John will be loved and respected for his decision, and he will earn the trust of the
students
o The Principal will act as a role-model for his fellow staffs and to the students and will
cooperate in all his efforts to build a better society and school
o Kamal will learn to be accountable and responsible for his own actions and might help
other peers
11) You are the member of Legislative Assembly represented from a region which is fast
growing. There was a proposal in the Assembly that will have an impact of price value of
real estate sector. You have been appointed as the sole authority to decide on this issue.
You are very much aware that the decision you make is going to have a serious and far
reaching impact on the real estate barons, of which one of them is your closest friend. Your
friend was one of my earliest and most enthusiastic supporters during your early days in
politics. He even contributed and supported financially in the election which you
remember and keep it close to your heart till today. Frankly, you feel a loyalty to him. But
much of the community is supportive of the proposal and it will bring much needed
revenues to the community. What is the ethical thing to do? (250 words) (20 marks)
As an elected official, you were elected to exercise your best judgment on behalf of everyone
in your communityyour decision-making analysis needs to reflect this and be free of personal
biases.
What decision will benefit the community as a whole? You were elected to serve the interests of
the community as a wholenot just your friends interests. At this stage of your analysis, you
need to put your friends interests aside for the moment. What are the community wide benefits
of the proposal that will be before you? What will be the costs? How do these two balance (do the
benefits outweigh the costs for example)? The financial effect on the city is one consideration in
this analysis, but so is the effect of the proposed use on the character and livability of the
community. Will the community as a whole truly be a better place because of the decision to
approve the use?
Individual Rights: Then look at the individual rights at stake in your decision, including
your friends. Is the proposed use a surprise because it involves a zone change (or should those in
your friends neighbourhood been on notice that this kind of use was permitted)? Are the
individuals (including your friend) being asked to bear burdens that ought to be borne by the
community as a whole? How great is the burden relating to the benefit? How would you evaluate
the burden if the individuals burdened did not include your friend? If the burden is great and the
benefits are small, then it may be that this is not good for the communityirrespective of your
friends interests and your relationship with him.
Talking the Walk: Now that you have analyzed and approached the decision-making
process with these ethical principles in mind, think about explaining your ultimate decision in
terms of these values. Explain why you feel your decision is best for the whole community and
the steps taken to protect individuals interests (or why the decision is not best for the whole
community and/or unduly treads on individual interests). If financial considerations are a factor,
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explain why you believe that the extra financial resources will make the community a better place
(money is rarely an end in itself).
It is also to have a conversation with your friend about your decision, explaining that you take
your duties as a public servant very seriouslyparticularly your duty to act in the best interests
of the community as a whole. If you find that, based on the above analysis you must approve the
proposed use, explain that the decision was difficult, because you do value your friendship but
you also know that friendship is based on mutual respect and that you trust that, part of the
reason you are friends is that you each respect and understand where the other is coming from
including the ethical and legal duties you have as an elected official.
12) As a DM of a home district of serving Chief Minister, you find out that a huge land scam has
taken place in which close relatives of the Chief Minister are involved. The scam which you
have unearthed has caused lots of financial loss to the states exchequer. You have been
recently married to a daughter of an MLA who is known as staunch political enemy of the
CM.
While you are investigating the matter for further proofs, before you make this issue
public, the CM comes to know about this. He threatens you with dire consequences if you
do not close the file and bury the matter silently. He threatens you with false criminal
cases and CBI investigation in case you do not budge. Unfortunately, a case is pending
against you regarding misuse of treasury funds, in which you havent done anything
wrong. This case can be reopened and used against you. However, if you stop
investigation, he has assured you that you will be given a plum post in the capital.
(a) Identify the course of actions available to you.
(b) Examine each actions merits and demerits. Finally, explain which course of action
would you follow and why?
In this situation, the following options are available:
1) Acting as per the directions of the CM and close the file in return for the plum job and to
avoid investigation
2) Carry on with the investigation to find substantiate proofs to the issue which caused loss to
the exchequer. Upholding the law and constitution to which I owe my allegiance.
3) Use my father-in-laws position to expose the current CM and share the gain of this expose
with my father-in-law.
4) Report the matter in media anonymously.
Option 1:
Merits:
1. Plum post will be rewarded
2. Will be freed from the threat of CM and career will be safe
Demerits:
1.
Loss to the state exchequer and ultimate sufferer would be public
2.
Subversion of constitutionally mandated duty for the personal benefit
3.
Public image and trust will be lost
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Option2:
Merits:
1. Upholding personal integrity, objectivity, honesty, spirit of civil service
2. Unearthing such act would cause deleterious effect on others who may be indulged in
similar other activities
3. Bringing such issue before the public will improve trust and confidence between state
machinery and public.
4. Send a strong message to the political class that honest civil servant would not succumb to
their pressure tactics.
Demerits:
1. Lot of personal hardship caused in the process, including false CBI inquiry.
2. Putting life and family in jeopardy.
Option 3:
Merits:
1. By exposing the scam, I am sending a strong message to the political class that honest civil
servant would not succumb to their pressure tactics.
2. Can escape from the dire consequences of being investigated by the CBI in a false
allegation.
Demerits:
1. Using the power of a relative is not ideal; relationships are an end in themselves, not a
means to an end.
2. Now that I have gotten the help of an MLA (father-in-law) I would be obligated to repay
him in future if any such situation arises for him.
Option 4:
Merits:
1. I can be relieved from the threat posed by the CM.
Demerits:
1.
Reporting to the media is not the end of the matter. It may not lead to the legal end of
the scam.
Course of action to be followed:
I would choose option 2. Investigation would be carried out as usual. Meanwhile CM should be
told politely but firmly that I am performing my constitutionally mandated duties and I have no
option to go.
There is a possibility that CMs party workers would spread message that MLA is playing vendetta
politics through his in-law. So I must produce sound proofs before the public which is necessary to
avoid any backfire.
If CM, in the meanwhile starts any CBI investigation on my any past acts, I would welcome that as I
have not done anything wrong. Even Government suspends, I would cooperate with the enquiry to
prove my innocence. If necessary I would move to court for protection against harassment.
But in no case, I would close the file to avoid any personal hardship to my career and my family as
it would amount to compromising on my values and ethics which civil service holds.
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13. You are having lunch with your close friend Naveen. You both are friends since childhood
and your families are also close to each other, its like one family. Naveen recently got
appointed as Assistant Director in Social Welfare Department. During conversation, Naveen
tells you that he is enjoying his work because its giving him an opportunity to help the
poor. He also says that he is not asking anyone for bribes but people themselves pay him
money because they are happy with his speedy service. He says that he initially did not
receive any money but when more and more people insisted, he started taking bribes. He
also says that just before he arrived for lunch he was given a good amount of money by a
happy beneficiary in his office.
You are a Deputy Superintendent of Police and you are on duty. Naveen knows this, but he
is sharing his experiences as he does with any one of his family members. He did not, even
for a moment, think that you were a cop on duty.
As a responsible officer who is on duty, and whos duty is to enforce law, what will you do to
your friend?
Aristotle on Friendship:
Aristotle believes that there are three different kinds of friendship:
i. Friendship of utility
ii. Friendship of pleasure
iii. Friendship of virtue
Aristotle argues that friendship should be so highly valued because it is complete virtue and he
explains that it is above both honour and justice. Aristotles theories regarding friendship break
down into self-love. This is especially shown in the first two; love of utility and love of pleasure as
Aristotle argues that humans set up relationships for ones own personal gain. In
Aristotles Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle argues that virtuous friendship is one of the most
glorious attainments one can achieve.
Aristotle describes a friendship of utility as shallow, easily dissolved or for the old. He views
them as such because this type of friendship is easily broken and based on something that is
brought to the relationship by the other person. Because of this, the friendship of utility has very
weak bonds between the individuals in the relationship and in this aspect; it is quite similar to the
friendship of pleasure.
Aristotle goes on to describe what he terms as the friendship of pleasure. This type of relationship
is characterized by such feelings as passion between lovers, or the feeling of belonging among a
likeminded group of friends. It differs from the friendship of utility in that those who seek utility
friendships are looking for a business deal or a long term benefit, whereas the friendship of
pleasure Aristotle describes is where one seeks something which is pleasant to them
presently. This sort of relationship is built on passion, which among the youth, is constantly
changing. Like the friendship of utility, Aristotle views this type of relationship as fleeting and
target of constant change.

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Therefore, Aristotle views both friendship of utility and pleasure as unstable and constantly
subject to abrupt change, which in fact dissolves the friendship, however; Aristotle moves on and
begins discussing the truest form of friendship: that of virtue.
The highest form of friendship, Aristotle argues, is friendship of virtue. This type of friendship is
based on a person wishing the best for their friends regardless of utility or pleasure. Aristotle calls
it a ...complete sort of friendship between people who are good and alike in virtue... This type of
friendship is long lasting and tough to obtain because these types of people are hard to come by
and it takes a lot of work to have a complete virtuous friendship. Friendship of virtue is only felt
among the good, between few amounts of people, is resistant to slander and is long lasting.
Friendship is characterized by self-disclosure by the friends involved as there is intimacy and
mutual caring between them. Hence a friend discloses his thoughts and action without the fear
of being judged.
Although, this should not give way to one friend becoming a secret-carrier for the other, as he
holds all the confidential knowledge of the other. That level of dependency is also not
advisable.
Judging a friend is different from calling out his wrongful acts and trying to make him virtuous.
There is a difference between the two, and this knowledge shall help a person is forming bonds
of friendship that are deep-rooted in virtue and dependable.
A civil servant is expected to function with honesty, impartiality, integrity, compassion,
courage and wisdom for his/her decisions affect wide sections of people. Hence, he/she must
act prudently taking all the stakeholders into consideration, yet he/she must not compromise
the ethical obligations that rest on him/her.
My course of action
In the above case, as a responsible officer who is on duty and whose duty is to enforce the law,
I will tell him frankly that, he has become corrupt, even though the people themselves offer
him money.
Certain services like a doctor, police officer, etc. cannot cease being their professional self, for
their services are needed at all times, whenever a situation presents itself.
I will tell him about the negatives and bad consequences of corruption and ask him to forego
the practice and undergo disciplinary action.
If he refuses to heed to my advice, I would go on to file a complaint against him, even though it
may pain me to do so and I will abandon his friendship.
In a friendship that is based on virtue, once the virtue is lost, we must try to restore the
virtuousness in the bond. But, if that becomes impossible, one must have the courage to forego
the friendship.
14. Recently a peon was appointed in your office (DM office). He is illiterate and mentally not
sound. Ever since his appointment he has been more of a burden than any help in the office.
He doesnt know any work. The staffs in your office feel that their work is disturbed by his
behaviour. The peon is always found to be talking either alone or with anyone he encounters.
He is not obeying your staffs orders in the office.
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He was appointed on sympathy grounds after his fathers untimely death. His mother is ill and
always bedridden. His income is the only source for his family now. He got the job after
lobbying by a group representing his caste. He was appointed by your predecessor after he
was pressurized by local MP. Some moves to remove him by your predecessor were met with
public protests by a group representing his caste.
You are very strict and disciplined in your office. You are being respected in your district for
your integrity and honesty. You come to know about the peon few days after you assume
power. You have observed his behaviour and found him to be unfit to continue in his job. The
peon has no other relatives except his mother.
Identify your moral and professional responsibilities in this case study and explain how you
will deal with the peon.
Since the peon is unfit for the job, the option of letting him continue on the job is ruled out. So
protection to his family should remain the priority of DM.
Responsibilities of DM:
social security and health care to peon and his mother
removing the peon peacefully after pacifying all parties involved
Course of action to be followed:
1. Certain actions of peon in the office should be video-recorded such as not heeding to the
officers, disturbing others in office etc.
2. On priority, DM should make an arrangement for social security benefits along with health
insurance to peon and his mother. A request for pension should also be made to higher
authorities on exceptional grounds.
3. There after a meeting should be arranged with his caste members to explain the real problem
being faced in the office and why he should be removed from the office by showing them
video-clips.
4. At the same time DM should take own responsibility for peons pension and other benefits
before the members.
5. Once they agree, his removal would be done in a smooth manner without any controversy.
6. In case they do not agree immediately, steps should be taken to constantly persuade the key
members of his caste group one-by-one through constant consultations and that would surely
resolve the problem.
7. In doing the above, work culture and discipline in the organisation will be protected but at the
same time, the problems of most vulnerable people i.e. peon and his mother would be solved
empathetically.

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