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Q. “A mere compliance with law is not enough, the public servant also has to have a well-developed sensibility to ethical issues for effective discharge of duties” Do you agree? Explain with the help of two examples where (i) an act is ethically right, but not legally and (ii) an act is legally right, but not ethically. (150 words, 10 Marks)

Answer:

Approach:

  • Introduction: Write about the relation between ethics and laws. 
  • Body: 
    1. Explain how an act is ethically right, but not legally and another act is legally right, but not ethically. 
    2. Substantiate with examples.
  • Conclusion: Conclude with suggestion or way forward. 

 

Introduction:

A mere compliance with law is not enough for a public servant to effectively discharge their duties. They must also possess a well-developed sensibility to ethical issues. Ethics is concerned with the principles of right and wrong behavior, while the law is concerned with rules and regulations. A public servant who is only concerned with complying with the law may not always act in the best interest of the public.

Body:

  • One example of an act that is ethically right but not legally is whistleblowing. Whistleblowing is the act of exposing illegal or unethical behavior by an organization. While whistleblowing may be ethically right, it may not always be legal.
  • In some cases, whistle-blowers may face legal consequences for breaching confidentiality agreements or violating trade secrets. However, whistle-blowers play an important role in exposing corruption and promoting transparency in organizations, which is essential for maintaining public trust.
  • Another example of an act that is legally right but not ethically is discrimination. Discrimination is the act of treating someone differently based on their race, gender, religion, or other personal characteristics.
  • While discrimination may be legal in some cases, such as affirmative action policies, it is never ethically right. Discrimination can lead to unequal opportunities and create a sense of division within society, which can have negative consequences in the long run.

Conclusion

A public servant must possess a well-developed sensibility to ethical issues to effectively discharge their duties. While complying with the law is important, it is not always enough. Public servants must also consider the ethical implications of their actions and strive to act in the best interest of the public. The examples of whistleblowing and discrimination illustrate the importance of balancing legal compliance with ethical considerations.

 

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Quick Revise Now !
AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD SOON
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध
Quick Revise Now !
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध

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