Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude
Key Points
Is it ever morally justifiable to break the law? If so, under what
circumstances? (10 marks | 150 words)
·
We need to respect and follow the law of
the land
·
Exceptions
·
Salt March 1930
·
Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King Jr
·
Bombing on H and N/Jalianwala bagh
Massacre/Hitler’s Order
·
Letters vs Spirit of the law
·
Personal gain vs Public Welfare
·
To cause Violence vs Protect the people
What is ’emotional intelligence’ and how can it be developed in
people? How does it help an individual in taking ethical decisions? (10 marks |
150 words)
Development
of Emotional Intelligence
·
Self awareness – Self introspection
·
Self management – Open to new ideas;
self control;
·
Social awareness – Empathy; Talk to
others; spend time with others
·
Relationship management – Do not
judge/advice unnecessarily, forgiveness; communication skills
EI
and taking ethical decisions
·
Self Control – Do not get influenced by
temptations
·
Empathy - Can understand suffering of
others.
·
Social Awareness - Aware of
organizational goals
·
Communication skills - Implement
programs - poverty alleviation, tribal welfare, farmer's productivity etc.
·
Flexible - Take the decisions in
accordance to the needs of time and circumstances.
A building permitted for three floors, while being extended
illegally to 6 floors by a builder, collapses. As a consequence, a number of
innocent labourers including women and children died. These labourers are
migrants of different places. The government immediately announced cash relief
to the aggrieved families and arrested the builder.
Give reasons for such incidents taking place across the country.
Suggest measures to prevent their occurrence.
Reasons
·
Regulatory bodies – Monitor and
action/Resources
·
Builders – Empathy; Respect/fear – law
of the land
·
Customers – Cheap rates/Dream fulfill vs
law of the land
·
Labourers – No awareness/poverty
·
Media – Not much focus/awareness
Measures
Short-term
·
Identify illegal buildings and take
appropriate action; Strict action against law violators
Long-term
·
Review the laws..fill the gaps..correct
the loopholes
·
Awareness – laborers, customers and
common public
·
T and A – granting permits;
·
Use of technology – remote sensing
·
Use of e gov – reduce corruption
·
Continuous upgradation of rules
A civil servant is asked by their supervisor to manipulate data in a
report to make it more favorable to a particular policy or decision. The civil
servant knows that the data is inaccurate and that the manipulation would be
unethical. How can the civil servant
maintain their integrity and uphold ethical standards in the face of pressure
from their superiors? (10 marks | 150 words)
·
Seek clarification - To ensure no
miscommunication
·
Know the regulations and policies
·
Keep a record of all communications
·
Discuss concerns internally - Trusted
colleagues or superiors
·
Consult with legal or ethics experts
·
Seek advice and support from
professional organizations/unions
·
Refuse unethical requests - Politely but
firmly decline
·
If necessary, escalate to higher authorities
·
Keep the public interest in mind
·
Self-care - Emotional well-being -
counseling
With regard to the morality of actions, one view is that means is of
paramount importance and the other view is that the ends justify the means.
Which view do you think is more appropriate? Justify your answer.
Means and End both are imp
·
Right thing….right way
·
Gandhi – Means – Seed, End – Tree
·
Wrong means – Quick results…Sustainable?
Scams
·
False encounter -> credibility of the
justice system
·
We can choose the means; ends are not in
our control
But
·
Torturing terrorist; Maa Saraswati; Lati
charge
So
·
Wrong means – Public interest and as a
last option
What does the following quotation mean to you? “If a country is to
be corruption free and become a nation of beautiful minds, I strongly feel
there are three key societal members who can make a difference. They are the
father, the mother and the teacher.” – Abdul Kalam.
Corruption – What and why?
Father and Mother
·
Happiness
·
Selflessness vs Healthy self interest vs
Selfishness
·
Parents - Role models
·
Mistakes of parents => accept and
correct; appreciate the child
·
Refined Knowledge
Teacher
·
Role Model – words and action
·
Not as the all-knowing sage - providing
information
·
Guide or mentor - Curiosity to know
·
Facilitators and motivators ->empower
the students
·
Inculcate the values – Sports and
cultural activities
·
Visit - farm lands, police station,
administration office, factories etc
You are the manager of a spare parts company
A and you have to negotiate a deal with the manager of a large manufacturing
company B. The deal is highly competitive and sealing the deal is critical for
your company. The deal is being worked out over a dinner. After dinner the
manager of manufacturing company B offered to drop you to the hotel in his car.
On the way to hotel he happens to hit motorcycle injuring the motorcyclist
badly. You know the manager was driving fast and thus lost control.
The law enforcement officer comes to
investigate the issue and you are the sole eyewitness to it. Knowing the strict
laws pertaining to road accidents you are aware that your honest account of the
incident would lead to the prosecution of the manager and as a consequence the deal
is likely to be jeopardized, which is of immense importance to your company.
·
What are the options available to you?
·
Evaluate each of these options and choose the option which you would
adopt, giving reasons. (20 marks| 250 words)
Options
1. Withhold
information/provide a misleading statement
2. Speak
privately with the manager of company B
3. Tell
the truth to the law enforcement officer
Response
·
Dharmo rakshathi rakshithah
·
Kant – Categorical Imperative
·
Plato – Cardinal Virtues/Gandhi’s
Talisman
·
Honest description of the whole incident
·
Business deal – trust and honesty..may
appreciate
·
Integrity – within org and outside org
·
I may lose deal…may have to face
problems…moral courage
A fresh engineering graduate gets a job in
a prestigious chemical industry. She likes the work. The salary is also good.
However, after a few months she accidentally discovers that a highly toxic
waste is being secretly discharged into a river nearby. This is causing health
problems to the villagers downstream who depend on the river for their water
needs. She is perturbed and mentions her concern to her colleagues who have
been with the company for longer periods.
They advise her to keep quite as anyone
who mentions the topic is summarily dismissed. She cannot risk losing her
job as she is the sole bread-winner for her family and has to support her ailing
parents and siblings. At first, she thinks that if her seniors are keeping
quiet, why should she stick out her neck. But her conscience pricks her to do
something to save the river and the people who depend upon it. At heart
she feels that the advice of silence given by her friends is not correct though
she cannot give reasons for it. She thinks you are a wise person and seeks your
advice.
a)
What arguments can you advance to show her that keeping quiet is not
morally right?
b) What course of action
would you advise her to adopt and why? (250 words)
Arguments
·
Acting against injustice increases self
respect.
·
The future of her company is in danger
·
Doing wrong and accepting the wrong
·
Guilty in her own court of conscience.
·
Doing good => emotional and mental
well-being
·
Fresh graduate - more opportunities
·
Integrity is non-negotiable and
nonselective.
Course of Action
·
Ground research and come up with
concrete report
·
Persuade to the immediate boss;
·
Remind the company CSR
·
Credibility - long term interest of the
company
·
Previous Case studies/incidents
·
Environmental laws and punishment
·
Senior management
·
Leave the job…..complaint….awareness
among people
You are the District Collector of a
flood-prone region. Due to unexpected heavy rains, floods have devastated
villages, displacing thousands. The government has allocated limited relief
resources, including food, medical aid and rescue boats. However, you are faced
with several challenges:
(a) Resource Shortage: The relief supplies
are not enough to cover all affected areas equally.
(b) Political Pressure: Local politicians
are pressuring you to prioritise aid for their constituencies.
(c) Media Scrutiny: News agencies are
covering the relief efforts, questioning transparency in resource distribution.
·
How will you allocate limited resources fairly and efficiently? Will
you yield to political pressure or ensure equitable distribution of aid?
·
What steps will you take to maintain transparency and public trust
in relief operations? (250 words | 20 marks)
Fair and Efficient Allocation of
Resources
·
Objectivity – Data based on drone
survey, satellite images, social media
·
Utilitarianism – Population affected
·
Justice approach - More need –
Severity/life-threatening/urgency /Senior Citizen/Differently-abled
·
Political Neutrality – Do not yield to
the political pressure; Respectful explanation
Transparency and Public Trust
·
Public Information System –
Website/WhatsApp – Affected villages/criteria for distribution/Present Status
·
Community Involvement – NGOs,
Volunteers, Media
·
Media Communication – Press Meets, Share
data
·
GRM – 24 * 7 Helpline and Monitoring
·
Documentation – Resources – Procurement,
allocation, usage/What, where, why, how etc
Audit – Internal and
External
