Ethics GS Paper IV by Manoj K. Jha (150 Words)

Model Answer

Consider the following statements and explain how these are the best recipes for administrative decisions and actions:

Q1.  "When I step into the river for the second time, neither I nor the river is the same."

Thinking line:

• Constant change and flow are the basic characteristics of nature. We humans do not always think alike or have the same degree of reason. Every day, people change because they have new experiences which shape them. So, one cannot step into the same river twice.
• Thus one should not step down due to failure in life. Failure is not constant. The attitude towards failure defines the difference between successful, achieving people and average people.
• Successful people embrace failure. They don't take it as the final nail in the coffin. Through failure, one can reach new understandings and realizations about what it's going to take to succeed.
• This kind of attitude is also important in civil services as civil services are the backbone of the administrative machinery of India. For the fulfilment of his duty, she/he works for effective coordination between institutions of governance and provide leadership at different levels of administration. Hence work continuously which is full of setbacks and stress.
• At this end, a positive attitude helps to cope more easily with the daily affairs of life. It brings optimism and makes it easier to avoid worries and negative thinking. This also helps in fulfilling one's duty with positive thinking and right perception.

Q2.  'One must every morning clean one's heart and one's body. But if you don't have time for both, it is better to clean the heart than clean the body'.  

Thinking line:

• The mind of every person has three main strands - feelings (emotions); reason (intellectual) and will to resolve the issues. Thus, the quote states that though the cleaning of body and mind is important for healthy living, cleaning of one's thought process is more important.
• The thinking should be positive for a healthy mind and body.
• When linking this quote with respect to citizen-public servant interaction, it states cleaning of mind, heart and thought process of a civil servant while interacting with the citizens.
• There should be objectivity in their working i.e. to base decisions and perceptions on exterior information instead of on subjective aspects, like private emotions, beliefs, and experiences.
• He should show empathy and compassion towards the weaker section without any grudges against others.
• Civil servants should be impartial, open-minded, guided by evidence, and willing to hear different viewpoints without biasness.