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Passage-2

A moral act must be our own act; must spring from our own will. If we act mechanically, these is no moral content in our act. Such action would be moral, If we think it proper to act like a machine and do so. For, in doing so, we use our discrimination. We should bear in mind the distinction between acting mechanically and acting intentionally. It may be moral of a king to pardon a culprit. But the messenger carrying out the order of pardon plays only a mechanical part in the king's moral act. But if the messenger were to carry out the king's order considering it to be his duty, his action would be a moral one. How can a man understand morality who does not use his own intelligence and power of thought, but lets himself be swept along like a log of wood by a current? Sometimes a man defies convention and acts on his own with a view to absolute good.

 
Q. Which of the following statements is the nearest definition of moral action, according to the writer ?
  • a)
    it is a mechanical action based on official orders from superiors.
  • b)
    It is an action based on our sence of discretion.
  • c)
    It is a clever action based on the clarity of purpose.
  • d)
    It is a religious action based on understanding.
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
Verified Answer
Passage-2A moral act must be our own act; must spring from our own wil...
Solution: b) The first few sentences say that moral act must be based on our own discretion. Other statements are quoted out of context.
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Most Upvoted Answer
Passage-2A moral act must be our own act; must spring from our own wil...
Explanation:
The writer defines moral action as an action based on our sense of discretion. Let's break down the key points to understand this definition better.

Definition of Moral Action:
- A moral act must be our own act, springing from our own will.
- It should not be a mechanical action, as there is no moral content in such actions.
- Acting mechanically means not using our own discretion or will in the action.
- The distinction is made between acting mechanically and acting intentionally.
- Moral action involves using our intelligence, power of thought, and sense of duty.

Based on our Sense of Discretion:
- Moral action involves making decisions based on our own judgment and understanding.
- It requires us to think for ourselves and not simply follow orders like a machine.
- Acting intentionally and with a sense of duty makes an action moral.

Example of Moral Action:
- The messenger carrying out a king's order mechanically is not performing a moral act.
- However, if the messenger carries out the order out of a sense of duty and understanding, it becomes a moral action.
- This demonstrates the importance of using our discretion and intelligence in determining the morality of an action.
In conclusion, the writer emphasizes that moral action is not about blindly following orders or acting mechanically but about making decisions based on our own judgment and sense of duty. It involves using our intelligence and power of thought to act intentionally and with a clear understanding of what is right.
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Passage-2A moral act must be our own act; must spring from our own will. If we act mechanically, these is no moral content in our act. Such action would be moral, If we think it proper to act like a machine and do so. For, in doing so, we use our discrimination. We should bear in mind the distinction between acting mechanically and acting intentionally. It may be moral of a king to pardon a culprit. But the messenger carrying out the order of pardon plays only a mechanical part in the king's moral act. But if the messenger were to carry out the king's order considering it to be his duty, his action would be a moral one. How can a man understand morality who does not use his own intelligence and powerof thought, but lets himself be swept along like a log of wood by a current? Sometimes a man defies convention and acts on his own with a view to absolute good.Q. Which of the following statements is the nearest definition of moral action, according to the writer ?a)it is a mechanical action based on official orders from superiors.b)It is an action based on our sence of discretion.c)It is a clever action based on the clarity of purpose.d)It is a religious action based on understanding.Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
Question Description
Passage-2A moral act must be our own act; must spring from our own will. If we act mechanically, these is no moral content in our act. Such action would be moral, If we think it proper to act like a machine and do so. For, in doing so, we use our discrimination. We should bear in mind the distinction between acting mechanically and acting intentionally. It may be moral of a king to pardon a culprit. But the messenger carrying out the order of pardon plays only a mechanical part in the king's moral act. But if the messenger were to carry out the king's order considering it to be his duty, his action would be a moral one. How can a man understand morality who does not use his own intelligence and powerof thought, but lets himself be swept along like a log of wood by a current? Sometimes a man defies convention and acts on his own with a view to absolute good.Q. Which of the following statements is the nearest definition of moral action, according to the writer ?a)it is a mechanical action based on official orders from superiors.b)It is an action based on our sence of discretion.c)It is a clever action based on the clarity of purpose.d)It is a religious action based on understanding.Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? for UPSC 2025 is part of UPSC preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the UPSC exam syllabus. Information about Passage-2A moral act must be our own act; must spring from our own will. If we act mechanically, these is no moral content in our act. Such action would be moral, If we think it proper to act like a machine and do so. For, in doing so, we use our discrimination. We should bear in mind the distinction between acting mechanically and acting intentionally. It may be moral of a king to pardon a culprit. But the messenger carrying out the order of pardon plays only a mechanical part in the king's moral act. But if the messenger were to carry out the king's order considering it to be his duty, his action would be a moral one. How can a man understand morality who does not use his own intelligence and powerof thought, but lets himself be swept along like a log of wood by a current? Sometimes a man defies convention and acts on his own with a view to absolute good.Q. Which of the following statements is the nearest definition of moral action, according to the writer ?a)it is a mechanical action based on official orders from superiors.b)It is an action based on our sence of discretion.c)It is a clever action based on the clarity of purpose.d)It is a religious action based on understanding.Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for UPSC 2025 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for Passage-2A moral act must be our own act; must spring from our own will. If we act mechanically, these is no moral content in our act. Such action would be moral, If we think it proper to act like a machine and do so. For, in doing so, we use our discrimination. We should bear in mind the distinction between acting mechanically and acting intentionally. It may be moral of a king to pardon a culprit. But the messenger carrying out the order of pardon plays only a mechanical part in the king's moral act. But if the messenger were to carry out the king's order considering it to be his duty, his action would be a moral one. How can a man understand morality who does not use his own intelligence and powerof thought, but lets himself be swept along like a log of wood by a current? Sometimes a man defies convention and acts on his own with a view to absolute good.Q. Which of the following statements is the nearest definition of moral action, according to the writer ?a)it is a mechanical action based on official orders from superiors.b)It is an action based on our sence of discretion.c)It is a clever action based on the clarity of purpose.d)It is a religious action based on understanding.Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?.
Solutions for Passage-2A moral act must be our own act; must spring from our own will. If we act mechanically, these is no moral content in our act. Such action would be moral, If we think it proper to act like a machine and do so. For, in doing so, we use our discrimination. We should bear in mind the distinction between acting mechanically and acting intentionally. It may be moral of a king to pardon a culprit. But the messenger carrying out the order of pardon plays only a mechanical part in the king's moral act. But if the messenger were to carry out the king's order considering it to be his duty, his action would be a moral one. How can a man understand morality who does not use his own intelligence and powerof thought, but lets himself be swept along like a log of wood by a current? Sometimes a man defies convention and acts on his own with a view to absolute good.Q. Which of the following statements is the nearest definition of moral action, according to the writer ?a)it is a mechanical action based on official orders from superiors.b)It is an action based on our sence of discretion.c)It is a clever action based on the clarity of purpose.d)It is a religious action based on understanding.Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? in English & in Hindi are available as part of our courses for UPSC. Download more important topics, notes, lectures and mock test series for UPSC Exam by signing up for free.
Here you can find the meaning of Passage-2A moral act must be our own act; must spring from our own will. If we act mechanically, these is no moral content in our act. Such action would be moral, If we think it proper to act like a machine and do so. For, in doing so, we use our discrimination. We should bear in mind the distinction between acting mechanically and acting intentionally. It may be moral of a king to pardon a culprit. But the messenger carrying out the order of pardon plays only a mechanical part in the king's moral act. But if the messenger were to carry out the king's order considering it to be his duty, his action would be a moral one. How can a man understand morality who does not use his own intelligence and powerof thought, but lets himself be swept along like a log of wood by a current? Sometimes a man defies convention and acts on his own with a view to absolute good.Q. Which of the following statements is the nearest definition of moral action, according to the writer ?a)it is a mechanical action based on official orders from superiors.b)It is an action based on our sence of discretion.c)It is a clever action based on the clarity of purpose.d)It is a religious action based on understanding.Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? defined & explained in the simplest way possible. Besides giving the explanation of Passage-2A moral act must be our own act; must spring from our own will. If we act mechanically, these is no moral content in our act. Such action would be moral, If we think it proper to act like a machine and do so. For, in doing so, we use our discrimination. We should bear in mind the distinction between acting mechanically and acting intentionally. It may be moral of a king to pardon a culprit. But the messenger carrying out the order of pardon plays only a mechanical part in the king's moral act. But if the messenger were to carry out the king's order considering it to be his duty, his action would be a moral one. How can a man understand morality who does not use his own intelligence and powerof thought, but lets himself be swept along like a log of wood by a current? Sometimes a man defies convention and acts on his own with a view to absolute good.Q. Which of the following statements is the nearest definition of moral action, according to the writer ?a)it is a mechanical action based on official orders from superiors.b)It is an action based on our sence of discretion.c)It is a clever action based on the clarity of purpose.d)It is a religious action based on understanding.Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?, a detailed solution for Passage-2A moral act must be our own act; must spring from our own will. If we act mechanically, these is no moral content in our act. Such action would be moral, If we think it proper to act like a machine and do so. For, in doing so, we use our discrimination. We should bear in mind the distinction between acting mechanically and acting intentionally. It may be moral of a king to pardon a culprit. But the messenger carrying out the order of pardon plays only a mechanical part in the king's moral act. But if the messenger were to carry out the king's order considering it to be his duty, his action would be a moral one. How can a man understand morality who does not use his own intelligence and powerof thought, but lets himself be swept along like a log of wood by a current? Sometimes a man defies convention and acts on his own with a view to absolute good.Q. Which of the following statements is the nearest definition of moral action, according to the writer ?a)it is a mechanical action based on official orders from superiors.b)It is an action based on our sence of discretion.c)It is a clever action based on the clarity of purpose.d)It is a religious action based on understanding.Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? has been provided alongside types of Passage-2A moral act must be our own act; must spring from our own will. If we act mechanically, these is no moral content in our act. Such action would be moral, If we think it proper to act like a machine and do so. For, in doing so, we use our discrimination. We should bear in mind the distinction between acting mechanically and acting intentionally. It may be moral of a king to pardon a culprit. But the messenger carrying out the order of pardon plays only a mechanical part in the king's moral act. But if the messenger were to carry out the king's order considering it to be his duty, his action would be a moral one. How can a man understand morality who does not use his own intelligence and powerof thought, but lets himself be swept along like a log of wood by a current? Sometimes a man defies convention and acts on his own with a view to absolute good.Q. Which of the following statements is the nearest definition of moral action, according to the writer ?a)it is a mechanical action based on official orders from superiors.b)It is an action based on our sence of discretion.c)It is a clever action based on the clarity of purpose.d)It is a religious action based on understanding.Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? theory, EduRev gives you an ample number of questions to practice Passage-2A moral act must be our own act; must spring from our own will. If we act mechanically, these is no moral content in our act. Such action would be moral, If we think it proper to act like a machine and do so. For, in doing so, we use our discrimination. We should bear in mind the distinction between acting mechanically and acting intentionally. It may be moral of a king to pardon a culprit. But the messenger carrying out the order of pardon plays only a mechanical part in the king's moral act. But if the messenger were to carry out the king's order considering it to be his duty, his action would be a moral one. How can a man understand morality who does not use his own intelligence and powerof thought, but lets himself be swept along like a log of wood by a current? Sometimes a man defies convention and acts on his own with a view to absolute good.Q. Which of the following statements is the nearest definition of moral action, according to the writer ?a)it is a mechanical action based on official orders from superiors.b)It is an action based on our sence of discretion.c)It is a clever action based on the clarity of purpose.d)It is a religious action based on understanding.Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? tests, examples and also practice UPSC tests.
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