Mains Practice Questions

Approach:

• Introduce by linking Ethics of Care and the Ethics of Justice with civil servants
• Highlight the contrasting approaches of the Ethics of Care and the Ethics of Justice
• Suggest ways to navigate situations where these ethical principles seem to conflict
• Conclude in a balanced manner.

Introduction:

The ethical landscape for a civil servant is a complex terrain. Two dominant yet contrasting frameworks guide moral decision-making: Ethics of Care (EoC) and Ethics of Justice (EoJ).

• Understanding these contrasting approaches and navigating their potential conflicts is crucial for effective and ethical governance.

Body:

Ethics of Care vs. Ethics of Justice:

Navigate Situations Where These Ethical Principles Seem to Conflict:

• Context-Specific Analysis:
  • Identify Stakeholders and Needs: Analyze the specific context, including the individuals or groups involved, their needs, and potential harms.
    • This helps determine which ethical framework (EoC's focus on relationships or EoJ's focus on rights) is most relevant.
  • Example: A civil servant might prioritize enforcing pollution regulations (EoJ) in an industrial area to protect the health of residents (EoC).
• Multi-Level Reasoning:
  • Harmonize Principles: Exploring if there's a way to achieve the goals of both frameworks.
    • Can a fair policy (EoJ) be implemented with care and empathy (EoC)?
  • Example: A policy requiring stricter safety standards in construction (EoJ) might lead to job losses (against EoC).
    • The civil servant might explore training programs (EoC) to help workers transition to safer jobs.
• Transparency and Participation:
  • Involve Stakeholders: Include those affected in the decision-making process. This fosters trust (EoC), helps gather valuable information about the context, and potentially leads to solutions that consider both fairness (EoJ) and specific needs (EoC).
  • Example: In a land acquisition project, a civil servant might hold consultations with both the acquiring company and the affected community (EoC).
    • This allows for exploring fair compensation (EoJ) while understanding the community's specific concerns (EoC).
• Utilizing Procedural Justice:
  • Fairness in Process: Even when a decision favors one framework over the other, ensure the process itself is fair and transparent (EoJ).
    • This upholds the principles of impartial decision-making and accountability.
  • Example: Denying a permit to a factory violating environmental regulations can be done with a transparent appeals process (EoJ), allowing the company to address the concerns while upholding fairness.

Conclusion:

By understanding EoC and EoJ, and skillfully navigating their potential conflicts, civil servants can make well-rounded ethical decisions. This fosters governance that is not only just but also humane, ultimately leading to a more equitable and harmonious society.