Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude - 2 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Moral Education

Character Building Among Children Is Important
Gandhiji has declared ‘Knowledge without character’ as a deadly sin. Albert Camus said, ‘A man without ethics is a wild beast loosed upon this world’. Not focusing on character development of children will have huge repercussions for society –

• Crime against vulnerable sections like women and old age will increase.
• Juvenile delinquency, drug addiction etc. will increase. 
• Lack of values like tolerance, empathy & compassion, fraternity will create social disharmony, communal tension, and regional tensions. This hinders growth and development.
• Greed in people will lead to unsustainable and noninclusive development. Youth will focus on Kama and Artha and not on Dharma and Moksha. (Four Purusharthas)
• Narrow conception of life will push the coming generations towards materialism, consumerism and hedonism.

Value Based Parenting

• Adopting democratic child rearing practices: It must be ensured that in early phase attitude formation is positive about gender equality, pluralism & diversity, democracy among others.
• Parents must also ensure value inculcation of honesty, dedication and compassion to achieve excellence and character. They must act as a role model in this regard.
• Parents must use intangible goods like love, appreciation, spending time with them etc. to reward the child.
• Parents must ensure that correct observation learning is done by children. Like children shall not be exposed to violence shown on media.
• Teenage period is the most difficult time for children. Parents must keep a watch and provide correct guidance whenever a child requires it. They should act like a friend in this regard. Every word, facial expression, gesture, or action on the part of a parent gives the child some message about self-worth. It is sad that so many parents don't realize what messages they are sending. John Dewey saw education as the foundation of democracy and as the key process for social reform

Socratic Dialogue

• There is one aspect of discussion in Moral education regarding technique of development of morality among children. In this regard let’s discuss Socratic dialogue technique – “teaching by asking instead of telling”. This method of questioning is named after the Greek philosopher Socrates (469 BC–399 BC). The Socratic method is a means of evaluating beliefs by examining contradictions among their implications or in other words: learn to make room in our minds for different ideas and perspectives no matter how much they challenge our current beliefs. The ultimate aim of  Socrates’ philosophical method is always ethical. It should make us aware of our misconceptions, delusions and self-deceptions and bring us to a better understanding of the good and thus help us attain the goal that all human beings desire – happiness (eudaimonia).
• At the beginning of 20th century, the German philosopher Leonard Nelson developed the Socratic Dialogue method to philosophise dialogically in groups. The aim of a Socratic Dialogue is to achieve a genuine consensus about the answer to the general question. The starting point of the analysis is an example from a real life.
• In the classroom, Socratic method can be used as a shared dialogue about values, principles and believes between teacher and students. For example, if the general question is: “What is friendship?” then students would choose an example that they “think” is an exemplary case of friendship. Both the teacher and students are responsible for pushing the dialogue forward through questioning. The “teacher”, or facilitator of the dialogue, asks probing questions trying to expose the values and beliefs which frame and support the thoughts and statements of the students. The teacher imparts no information. The inquiry is always open ended. The classroom must share rules like raise hand to contribute, let others finish their sentences, be concise, use arguments that come from your own experience.
• The relevance of Socratic dialogue for ethics and value education is high, since it enables us to reflect upon our own beliefs and put them in opposition to beliefs and attitudes of others. The rational dialogue is the cornerstone of every rational discourse and practice. It helps children to develop skills in oral communication, critical thinking, interpret and evaluate information, transform information into knowledge and knowledge into judgment and action, interpersonal skills, respect for others and intellectual honesty.
• The ethical process is a steady experience. Because the teachers today are more and more involved in the general education of the child, they have a very important role for ethics education of children too. There is no possibility to educate ethically without the teachers’ experience of ethics. The most important part of this is a consciousness of necessity to overcome the self-interests and be more open for the common good. 
• The children should face the reality of daily life in the community and interpersonal exchange. The pillar of this exchange is the teacher. Consequently, the teacher is also an example of the related autonomy. In this autonomy, the respect of person of pupils, parents and teachers in their relation to each other is included.
• In dialogue, critical thinking could be achieved and children can be trained in exchange of human resources for this task of the healthy society. Not only the parents but especially teachers and educators should be more involved to dialogize critically as autonomous persons with the pupils about these ethical topics.

Case Studies for Practice 

In fact, this problem is reoccurring, and you want to have some long-term solution for it. Monsoon will take at least 50 days to reach your district and replenish water reservoirs. What strategy can be adopted by you to redress the immediate problem and steps that can be taken in long term to redress the issue permanently? 

Indicative Solution
The case presents a challenge for me and for the district administration to deal with water crisis and usher in good governance. Since the major occupation of people in the district is agriculture, the issue must be looked into with empathy, compassion and urgency.
Following are important issues in the case –

• Test of my ability to solve the issue of water crisis.
• Responsibility of local administration to pre-empt any crisis to avoid economic, social and emotional suffering of people.
• Inclusive morality of people to use water judiciously, taking care for the needs of others.

Strategy to Redress the Immediate Problem

1. Wide scale dissemination of the Central Water Commission (CWC) drought advisory through different means – radio, Television, newspaper, gram panchayat, schools etc
2. Persuading people to self-fix the daily water consumption target to an optimal level. I myself can set example and declare my target. With support of locals it may become as mass campaign.
3. Encouraging recycling of water. Eg – kitchen refused water can be used in agricultural field.
4. Value inculcation and engagement by local leader to avoid ‘water-riot’ like situation.
5. A fund can be made to hedge the risk of farmers due to water scarcity. This may reduce economic burden, debt trap and social unrest.

Strategy for Long Term Solution

1. Introduction of micro-irrigation and other water efficient technique in agriculture with the help of governments under various welfare schemes. 
2. Making agriculture climate-smart in the region. Since water crisis is perennial problem, farmers may switch crop like pulses, bajra etc, which require less water. Persuasion for behavioral change will be required by various government machinery.
3. Use of new technologies like ‘Oneer’ developed by CSIR for water purification making available the ample amount of drinking water. This would require emotional intelligence and compassion among the scientific community.
4. Increasing the water storage capacity in reservoirs, farm ponds etc.
5. Ground water recharge techniques to improve water table level.
6. Developing ‘conservation’ as a value in our society will help in judicious use of water.

Crisis also creates opportunity for mutual cooperation and improvement and innovation. I must deal with the situation with positivity and look for short-term and long term solution.

Case Study 2: Mr. X is the head of a village Panchayat in Delhi NCR region. He is very popular among his community and people adore him for his leadership and humility. Communities belonging to different religions also lives in this village as well as nearby areas.

• Small clashes are quite common but this time a murder has taken place. The son in law of Mr. X got killed in an altercation with a group of three young men who belonged to some other community. The fight started as his son in law objected to lewd remarks made against his wife by these three men.
• The incident has led to immense tension and a Maha panchayat has been called by community members. On the day of cremation, thousands of angry people have gathered in Maha-panchayat to decide on future course. In this context, explain the contrasting emotions and dilemmas Mr. X is going through and what shall be his conduct? 

Indicative Solution
The case presents a highly charged-up situation which demands sound emotional intelligence to deal with.
Following are contrasting emotions Mr. X might be going through:

1. Grief due to death of son-in-law and emotional suffering of daughter and whole family.
2. Anger might also erupt due to his personal loss, especially on account of lewd remark against his daughter.
3. Sadness and frustration because of altercation and communal clashes in his village.
4. Since he is a humble man with leadership capacity, he must also have emotion of love, care, empathy, compassion, for the welfare of the entire village.

Dilemmas for Mr. X

• To act as per the law or allow communal backlash for the mob at Maha-panchayat.
• To focus on death of son-in-law or focus on my duties as a head of village panchayat.
• To act as per negative emotion of anger or as per my leadership ability.
• To focus on personal interest or lager public interest of communal harmony.

The situation is very tense and fragile on account the murder. There is also mob gathering in form of Maha Panchayat. It may lead to communal clashes as permanent rift. In such a scenario Mr. X must show extra ordinary courage and leadership ability.
He must take following course of action :

• Act strictly as per the law. He must inform police, register FIR and ensure the culprits are punished.
• Using emotional intelligence he must control passion, if any, in the crowd. He must inspire them to be law abiding citizens and have faith in the judicial process.
• Personal enmity and hatred must not be allowed to take shape of communal clash. This will be disrespect to the deceased.
• He must also comfort his daughter and family in the time of grief and help them think objectively.

It is said that true test of integrity is at the time of adversity. Mr. X must fall back on his values to come out of this painful situation without loss of values. This will serve the public interest and larger national interest of peace and communal harmony.

On Justice

• In the present times, we see multiple conflicts and challenges to global peace. There are multiple claims of justice being denied. It has become very relevant in current times to understand the concept of justice.
• Aristotle has said that it is in justice that the ordering of a society is centered. Martin Luther King Jr has remarked that ‘True peace is not merely the absence of tension: it is the presence of justice’. It also been said that ‘the arc of moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice’. It is interesting to note what Amartya Sen once said, ‘I believe that virtually all the problems in the world come from inequality of one kind or another’.
• In discussions on justice, a distinction is drawn between procedural justice and substantive justice. Procedural justice refers to justice or fairness or impartiality of the processes and procedures through which a law or policy or decision is arrived at and applied. Substantive justice refers to justice or fairness of the content or outcome of laws, policies, decisions, etc. Procedural justice concerns itself at the level of application. The procedures followed must be just and the legal codes should not be violated.
• Substantive justice, on the other hand, is concerned with the content of the law. The legal principles created by Parliament and the courts need to be regarded as ‘just’. The moral and cultural values of the society in which the law is created are especially influential in determining whether the law is regarded as just. For instance, whether the laws on abortion or drugs are regarded as just will largely depend on the attitudes that are prevalent in that society.
• Where law is considered unjust the consequences for social order can be potentially far-reaching. In the eighteenth century, the catalyst for the American War of Independence was the British Government’s decision to impose a tax on tea imported into the American colonies. The American colonists regarded this as unjust as they had no right of representation in the British Parliament and therefore no say in the imposition of taxation. Thus, while procedural justice is concerned about ‘letter of law’, the substantive justice is more about ‘spirit of law’. Often, rights based justice is seen as procedural justice, whereas needs-based justice is seen as substantive justice.
• Principles of procedural justice have traditionally been based on the idea of formal equality of persons, i.e., their equality as human beings or as subjects of the rule of law, irrespective of their differences in gender, religion, race, caste, wealth, etc. Procedural justice is based on ideas like equality before law, when procedural justice is about ‘procedure established by law’ and substantive justice is about ‘due process of law’.
• The idea of substantive justice can be said to be a more mature approach than procedural justice. The idea of procedural justice inspires minimal state (no use of discretion by state – just follow the procedure) and is largely inspired from classical liberal school. Substantive justice encourages state intervention to ensure ‘justice’. It allows state to use its discretion in favour of weaker sections, or to ensure justice in fullest sense of the word. Originally, Art 21 contained provision only for ‘procedure established by law’. But Supreme Court found the clause inadequate and expanded the ambit of the article to also include ‘due process of law’ (substantive justice) in Maneka Gandhi Judgement.

Substantive Justice in Indian Constitution

• The expression ‘due process of law’ is not used in any provisions of the Indian Constitution. However, the due process can be inferred through the Articles 14, 19, 20, 21 and 22.
• The judiciary has played a creative role in this regard. It has interpreted the ‘procedure established by law’ in Article 21 to be equivalent of the ‘due process of law.’
• Article 21 in its draft form was Article 15. It provided that “No person shall be deprived of his life or liberty without the due process of law.” But the Drafting Committee at a later stage proposed the substitution of the expression “except according to procedure established by law” for the words “without due process of law.” The Drafting Committee justified the amendment because the word due process gives scope for judicial supremacy to determine the content of law which is likely to create confusion and hurdles in the social transformation.
• Supreme Court of India in A.K. Goplan v. Union of India, case held that Article 21 is complete code; procedure established by law need not comply with the principle of natural justice and reasonableness under Article 19. Supreme Court decisively rejected the application of due process of law under Article 21 pointing out that as long as a person was detained according to procedure established by law, he could not challenge his detention. However, the attitude of judiciary gradually shifted from the procedure established by law to procedural due process.
• Maneka Gandhi Case is now accepted as the landmark starting point of the introduction of due process clause in India after incorporating the concept of arbitrariness articulated under Article 21.
• Substantive justice is “justice” in its fuller dimensions, not just the demonstrations of equality and fairness in the system. Correctly said by Amartya Sen in his book “Idea of Justice”, a law is not about ‘niti’ (rule), it is also about ‘nyay’ (justice). Law is not only for imposing, convicting or acquitting the accused but also to see whether those outcomes are just and fair or not.
• Immanuel Kant has given his ideas of Governance in Perpetual Peace: A philosophical sketch. He says, “The state of peace is not a state of nature, which is rather a state of war, so must the state of peace be established”. In current times, the only hope of establishing peace is ensuring justice.

Case Studies for Practice

• Principal has recently retired and management is looking for his replacement. There are also feelers that the management may promote you as Principal. In the meantime, during annual examination the flying squad came from the university caught two students red-handed involving in unfair means. A senior lecturer at the college was personally helping these students in this act. This senior lecturer also happens to be close to the management.
• One of the students was son of a local politician who was responsible in getting college affiliated to the present reputed university. The second student was son of a local businessman who has donated maximum funds for running of the college. You immediately informed the management regarding this unfortunate incident. The management told you to resolve the issue with flying squad at any cost. They further said that such incident will not only tarnish the image of the college but also the politician and businessman are very important personalities for the functioning of the college. 
• You were also given hint that your further promotion to Principal depends on your capability in resolving this issue with flying squad. In the meantime, you were intimated by your administrative officer that certain members of the student union are protesting outside the college gate against the senior lecturer and the students involved in this incident and demanding strict action against defaulters.
  • Discuss the ethical issues involved in the case.
  • Critically examine the options available with you as Vice Principal. What option will you adopt and why? (Answer in 250 words)

Approach

• Introduction: give the core ethical issue/question in the case and the peripheral issues.
• Body: Identify the different options available, critically evaluate them and with proper ethical reasoning choose the most appropriate option.
• Conclusion: reaffirm the importance of high ethical standard in public life. The cases raises the question that should one do an act of corruption to advance interest of one’s organisation.

Ethical issues involved in the case

• My value of integrity – as a guard against corruption is under test.
• Injustice to students giving the test honestly.
• Integrity in the process in our education system.
• Role of teachers in developing the morality in students.
• Abuse of power by politicians and businessmen.
• Courage to stand against the powerful people.
• Autonomy and Reputation of the educational institution.

Options available as Vice Principal

• Follow the order of management and make settlement by hiding true facts to the flying squad.
• Show your incapability to the management that you cannot deal with flying squad.
• Refuse the management to support an illegal act and tell the truth to flying squad.

Justification for the 3rd option

• To avoid any inner dissonance and crisis of conscience I must act ethically. Then only I can be happy from within.
• Satyamev Jayate, honesty is morally uplifting it boosts dignity and self-respect; Virtue, like happiness, must be desired for themselves; two things awe me most, the starry sky above me and the moral law within me.
• As per Kant’s categorical imperative I must treat humanity as an end and value the life of the accident victim. 

John Rawl’s veil of ignorance.

• It is my legal responsibility to help enforce the rule by punishing the violators and creating deterrence.
• My decision will help students get justice.
• My virtue and integrity will be safeguarded.
• Along with this I will persuade my institution to willingly accept my decision. My personal integrity will also increase managements trust in me and help me assume greater responsibility.

Case Study 2: An elevated corridor is being constructed to reduce traffic congestion in the capital of a particular state. 

• You have been selected as project manager of this prestigious project on your professional competence and experience. The deadline is to complete the project in next two years by 20 June, 2021, since this project is to be inaugurated by the Chief Minister before the elections are announced in the second week of July 2021. While carrying out the surprise inspection by inspecting team, a minor crack was noticed in one of the pairs of the elevated corridor possibly due to poor material used. 
• You immediately informed the chief engineer and stopped further work. It was assessed by you that minimum three pillars of the elevated corridor must be demolished and reconstructed. But this process will delay the project minimum by four to six months. But the chief engineer overruled the observation of inspecting team on the ground that it was a minor crack which will not in any way impact the strength and durability of the bridge. He ordered you to overlook the observation of inspecting team and continue working with same speed and tempo. He informed you that the minister does not want any delay as he wants the chief Minister to inaugurate the elevated corridor before the elections are declared.
• He also gave you hint that your further promotion as additional chief engineer is under consideration with the ministry. However, you strongly felt that the minor crack in the pillar of the elevated corridor will adversely affect the health and life of the bridge and therefore it will be very dangerous not to repair the elevated corridor.
  (a) Under the given conditions, what are the options available to you as a project manager?
  (b) What are the ethical dilemmas being faced by the project manager?
  (c) What are the professional challenges likely to be faced by the project manager and his response to overcome such challenges?
  (d) What can be the consequences of overlooking the observation raised by the inspecting team?

Approach

• Introduction: Give the core ethical issue/question in the case and the peripheral issues.
• Body: Identify the different options available, ethical dilemma, professional challenges and consequences of overlooking the observation raised by the inspecting team.
• Conclusion: Give a suitable conclusion.

Options available

• Follow the advice of the Chief Engineer and go ahead.
• Make an exhaustive report of the situation bringing out all facts and analysis along with your own viewpoints stated clearly and seek for written orders from the chief Engineer.
• Call for explanation from the Junior Engineers and issue orders to the contractor for necessary correction within targeted time.
• Highlight the issue so that it reaches superiors above the Chief Engineer.
• Considering the rigid attitude of the Chief Engineer, seek transfer from the project or report sick.

Ethical dilemma faced by the project manager are as under:

• Personal interest vs public interest: Going ahead with the project may give promotion, however, it could possibly put the life of many citizens into severe jeopardy.
• Ends vs means: While going ahead with the project will fulfil the end of timely inauguration, it will destroy the integrity of the construction process.
• Administrative ethics vs work efficiency: While for completing the project on time, the project manager will be lauded for his efficiency, it will compromise his administrative ethics. 
• Professional discipline Vs listening to conscience – Adhering to the orders of seniors or should he follow his own inner voice.
• Cost vs quality of service: While demolishing the three pillars will add to cost and time over run of the project, more so, when it is deemed fit by the chief engineer, continuing the other hand will compromise the quality-of-service delivery.
  Professional challenges likely to be faced by the manager are as under:
• Maintaining his professional ethics – of integrity, dedication etc
• Upholding spirit of public service – to maintain the quality of work
• Maintaining work culture of my department – to work with honesty and commitment as overruling findings of inspection team may demotivate them.
• Challenge of tackling corruption in his department as the material used was of poor quality
• Pressure from superiors: As the Chief engineer as exhorted the project manager, to continue the work with same tempo.
• Political pressure: As the contractor is a relative of the minister, and the CM intends to inaugurate the project before the elections.
• Stifling of career progression: As the career prospects of the project manager are linked to the completion of the project.
• Possible responsibility: In case the project fails and the bridge collapses, the project manager will be liable for a departmental/judicial enquiry.

Consequences of overlooking the observation raised by the inspecting team:

• The corridor might collapse, causing severe damage to the life and property. Objective of common good will not be achieved.
• Trust and credibility of government project will get eroded. Social capital will wane.
• Work culture will deteriorate.
• Poor service delivery quality
• Nepotism in the working of government project.
• These will essentially break the social contract.