Ethics and Governance – Practice Flashcards

100-question Question-and-Answer flashcards covering the core concepts of ethics, morality, law, human action, and governance as discussed in the lecture notes.

From which Greek root does ethics derive and what does it relate to?

Ethos/ethikos; relates to one's character arising from habit.

What are the two branches that comprise axiology?

Ethics and aesthetics.

What does ethics refer to in simple terms?

Moral values and the right conduct of a person.

What does aesthetics study?

Beauty, art, and taste.

What is the famous Aristotelian quote about habit?

We are what we repeatedly do; excellence is a habit, not an act.

Name common sources of ethical standards cited in the notes.

Laws, regulations, religious beliefs, cultural norms, traditions.

What does ethics emphasize in terms of human character?

Moral values developed through repeated habit.

What does the word 'ethos' signify?

Moral character or moral nature.

Which universal value is explicitly mentioned in the notes?

Compassion.

Is ethics time- and space-dependent?

Yes; ethics change over time and across spaces.

Give an example showing time/space sensitivity of ethics.

In Victorian times, showing ankles was considered unethical; slavery was legally accepted in many places; today it is condemned.

Who argued that some people are natural slaves, suited to be ruled by others?

Aristotle.

What is the difference between 'right' and 'good' in ethical reasoning?

Right = adherence to rules/duties; Good = desirable outcomes/consequences.

What does 'deontology' emphasize?

Duty-based ethics—doing the right thing by following rules.

What does 'utilitarianism' emphasize?

Consequences and utility—maximizing good for the greatest number.

What does 'means vs ends' refer to in ethics?

Means relates to duties and rules; ends relate to outcomes and utilities.

Who is associated with deontology in the notes?

Immanuel Kant.

What is the difference between 'human action' and 'act of man'?

Human action is deliberate and conscious with intellect and will; act of man is instinctive or habitual without deliberate control.

What are the three elements of human action according to Summa Theologica?

Knowledge of the action, voluntariness, freedom (free will).

Does the notes present free will as absolute or contested?

Contested; arguments that biases and social pressures influence actions question absolute free will.

What is the 'essence' of ethics?

The soul or core of ethics; defines and defends guiding principles.

What is the ultimate goal of ethics according to the notes?

The highest good; often linked to happiness, virtue, or fulfillment.

How are morality and ethics different in scope?

Morality is personal/inner; ethics are external/socially shared standards.

What are common sources of morality?

Conscience, upbringing, personal beliefs.

What are common consequences of ethical behavior?

Trust, social cohesion, personal fulfillment, good reputation.

What are common consequences of unethical behavior?

Social disharmony, legal/professional penalties, damaged reputation, guilt.

What role do cultural norms play in ethics?

They shape ethical behavior and are relative across cultures.

How do religion and spirituality influence ethics?

Provide a moral framework and normative principles.

How do personal values and conscience influence ethics?

They guide individual judgment and decision-making.

What is the role of legal and regulatory standards in ethics?

They reflect societal values and provide formal rules; enforcement exists for laws, not always for ethics.

What constitutes ethical conduct?

Professional standards: honesty, respect, responsibility, and professionalism.

What is the difference between action and conduct?

Action is task-oriented; conduct is the ongoing pattern of behavior.

What is the relationship between human action and moral/legal responsibility?

Human action (deliberate) leads to moral and legal accountability; acts of man may be involuntary and less punishable.

What are the three requirements for human action per Aquinas?

Knowledge, voluntariness, and freedom.

Why is the concept of 'free will' debated in ethics?

Because actions can be shaped by biases, social pressures, and environment; true freedom is arguable.

What is the 'Summa Theologica' important in this context?

Aquinas’ work outlining knowledge, voluntariness, and freedom as key elements of human action.

What is 'spirit of the law' vs 'letter of the law' idea?

Spirit emphasizes intent; letter emphasizes the exact words; sometimes need interpretation to follow intent.

What is a whistleblower?

A person who exposes corruption or wrongdoing within their organization.

What is the whistleblower protection guidance mentioned?

Whistleblower/Commissions channels (e.g., Central Vigilance Commission); do not immediately go to media.

How are documents classified in Indian governance as per the notes?

Top Secret, Secret, Confidential, Restricted.

What is the typical civil service rank order mentioned?

Secretary, Additional Secretary, Joint Secretary, Deputy Secretary, Under Secretary; then Group B, Group C, Group D.

What is the difference between 'top secret' vs 'restricted' documents?

Top Secret is accessed by senior officials only; Restricted is for office use.

What is the 'Public Records Act' mentioned?

Public Records Act of 1993 and Rules of 1997 governing document classifications.

What is the 'CWG' example used to illustrate?

CWG scandal shows conduct can be bad while actions (events) can still be successful.

What is discussed about 'mob lynching' in the notes?

There is no clear, unified law; bills have been proposed; it remains a challenging issue.

What is 'moral policing' as described?

Societal policing of morality by family and peers; not a formal legal term.

How does ethics evolve with time and culture?

Ethics evolves as society evolves, as norms and rights expand (e.g., LGBTQ+ rights, transgender rights).

What is 'Sati Pratha' and how is it viewed ethically?

A historical practice viewed as abhorrent today; ethics condemn it as inhumane.

What are 'determinants of ethics' listed in the notes?

Cultural and societal norms, religion/spiritual beliefs, personal values/conscience, and legal standards.

What is meant by 'collective morality' in ethics?

Ethics reflects the shared morality of a society or group.

What is 'Article 16(4)' associated with?

Reservation in government jobs (part of fundamental rights discussions in Indian context).

Name some governance/social-change examples used to illustrate ethics in society.

Gandhi’s nonviolence and truth; decriminalization of homosexuality; transgender rights (NALSA); Ambedkar and caste equality; social movements like India Against Corruption.

What is the relationship between ethics and law when they align or diverge?

Ethics can influence and modify laws; laws may sometimes diverge from ethical norms; societal debate can lead to reform.

What is the difference in enforcement between ethics and law?

Law is enforced through formal mechanisms (police, courts); ethics relies on self-regulation and social pressure.

What is the concept of 'delayed gratification' as discussed?

Valuing long-term goals over immediate pleasure; relates to ethical decision-making and self-control.

What is the practical bus-conductor dilemma example used to discuss ethics?

When social distancing limits seating but an emergency or compassionate exception may require bending the rule.

What is the 'spirit of the law' example about in the bus scenario?

The purpose behind the rule—public health—might justify bending the exact letter of the rule in exceptional circumstances.

What is 'alignment' vs 'divergence' between ethics and law?

Alignment occurs when laws reflect ethical principles; divergence occurs when laws lag behind or contradict ethics.

What are 'ethical sanctions' according to the notes?

Social disapproval, guilty conscience, remorse (less formal than legal sanctions).

What is the difference between 'enforcement' and 'compliance' for ethics vs law?

Ethics relies on internal motivation; law relies on external compliance and penalties.

What is meant by 'self-regulation' in ethics?

Ethics is governed by internal standards and peer expectations rather than formal enforcement.

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How do acts of omission get treated in law according to the notes?

Negligent or failure to act in a dangerous situation can be punishable (e.g., 304A, rash driving, etc.).

What is the 'good Samaritan law' example mentioned?

France's Good Samaritan law requires helping others in danger when safe to do so.

What is the role of 'intention' in ethics vs law?

Ethics looks at intention as part of moral evaluation; laws emphasize actions and outcomes with external penalties.

What is 'capital punishment' in the context of ethics vs law?

Ethically debated; legally permissible in some systems; moral considerations may oppose it.

What is the difference between 'ethical' and 'moral' according to the notes?

Ethics is social/collective; morality is individual conscience; they overlap but differ in source and scope.

What examples illustrate 'the highest good' varying by person?

Aspirations like fame, wealth, national unity, or intellectual growth; the highest good varies by time and person.

What is the relationship between ethics and social change (Gandhi, etc.)?

Individual ethical commitments can catalyze societal ethical shifts and governance reforms.

What is a key difference between morality and law in terms of change speed?

Laws change through formal processes; moral/ethical norms can evolve more slowly and through cultural shifts.

What is the role of 'conscience' in ethics?

Internal guide influencing decisions when external rules may be vague or unjust.

What is 'ethical governance through PCA 1988' referenced?

A framework for ethical governance; emphasizes transparency and accountability in public administration.

What is the concept of 'living according to core values' in ethical decision making?

Prioritize core personal values when ethics conflicts with other pressures; long-term consequences matter.

What should guide your decisions when ethics and morality conflict?

Prioritize core values and minimize harm; assess long-term consequences.

What is the suggested word limit guidance for UPSC-type answers?

Aim for around 130-150 words per question; case studies may be longer (250 words).

What is the practical takeaway about 'two tools controlling human conduct' in the conclusion slide?

Law imposes external discipline; ethics fosters internal responsibility.

What does the notes say about the enforcement of ethics?

Ethics relies on self-regulation, peer pressure, and professional codes; lacks a centralized enforcement body.

What is meant by 'social cohesion' as a consequence of ethical behavior?

Social harmony and trust among members of a community.

What is 'social disapproval' as an ethical sanction?

A social consequence where one is shunned or criticized for unethical conduct.

Which philosopher is associated with 'the greatest good' and happiness as a part of ethical discussion?

Aristotle, Cicero, and Kant all connect virtue/happiness with ethical grounds (various formulations).

What is the 'fugitive slave act' example used to illustrate?

A historical law seen as ethically unacceptable today; demonstrates how ethics evolve over time.

What does 'ethics as a science of moral duty' imply?

Ethics provides a systematic framework for evaluating duties and obligations.

What is a common teaching about 'situational ethics' vs 'universal norms' in the notes?

Ethics can be situational and contextual, whereas some norms aim to be universal; tensions arise in governance.

What is a common exam prompt example used in the last part of the notes?

Law vs ethics: law punishes actions; ethics can punish thoughts via internal guilt; both influence governance.

What is the difference in source between ethics and law?

Ethics originates in philosophy, religion, conscience; law originates in legislature, executive, and judiciary.

What is the role of 'regulatory standards' in shaping ethics?

Regulations codify minimum acceptable behavior and help align societal norms with rules.

What is the main idea behind 'ethics versus law' in governance?

They are complementary but not identical; ethics guides behavior beyond what is legally required.

What is the idea of 'minimizing harm' in ethical decision making?

When compromising is unavoidable, try to minimize the harm to others and society.

What is the concept of 'societal norms' affecting ethics?

Norms define acceptable behavior; shifting norms can alter ethical standards.

What example is used to illustrate 'writing orders' in civil service?

Supreme Court 2013 observation about insisting on written orders to avoid misuse.

What is the 'mob violence' example used to discuss ethics and law?

Mob actions and communal violence raise ethical questions about proportionality, due process, and governance.

What is an example of 'survival ethics' where morality may be compromised?

In extreme hunger or life-threatening situations, a lesser evil may justify compromising on personal morality.

What is the 'good governance' perspective on whistleblowing and confidentiality?

Whistleblowing protects public interest but may conflict with confidentiality; balance is needed.

What is the 'salt march' example used for in ethics?

Gandhi's nonviolent resistance against colonial laws—ethics guiding civil disobedience.

What role do non-government actors like media play in ethics?

Media can shape opinions and norms; responsible reporting is essential to ethical discourse.

What is the 'World Bank' reference in the notes about ethics?

Used in context of governance and public policy; emphasizes cross-national ethical considerations.

What is the 'tail of consequences' principle in ethics?

Assess long-term consequences and broader impact, not just short-term gains.

What is the typical length guidance for UPSC-like essay responses?

Introduction, body (points), and conclusion; 130-150 words for most questions; 150 words typical.

How does the notes describe 'ethics as relative across cultures'?

Ethical standards vary by culture and context; relative rather than universal.

What is the significance of 'personal conscience' in ethical decision making?

Inner sense of right and wrong guides decisions, particularly when laws are silent or unjust.