Mains Practice Questions

Approach

• Introduce the answer by highlighting contrasting perspective of Ethical egoism and ethical altruism
• Delve into Ethical Egoism and its Influence
• Highlight Ethical Altruism and its Influence
• Conclude positively.

Introduction

Ethical egoism and ethical altruism represent contrasting ethical perspectives that significantly impact decision-making in professional settings. While ethical egoism prioritizes self-interest, ethical altruism emphasizes the welfare of others.

Body

Ethical Egoism and its Influence:

• Focus: In a professional context, Ethical egoism could translate to prioritizing personal gain – seeking promotions, taking credit for team achievements, or engaging in actions that benefit one's career even if they are detrimental to colleagues or the organization.
• Potential Benefits: Ethical egoism can foster ambition and drive employees to excel, leading to increased productivity and innovation. It can also promote a sense of self-reliance and responsibility for one's career trajectory.
• Potential Pitfalls: Unfettered self-interest can lead to unethical behavior such as cutthroat competition, deception, and exploitation of others. It can create a toxic work environment and erode trust among colleagues.

Ethical Altruism and its Influence:

• Focus: Ethical altruism emphasizes acting in the best interests of others, even at a personal cost.
  • In a professional setting, this could manifest as prioritizing the organization's success over individual gain, sacrificing personal time for the benefit of a project, or advocating for the welfare of colleagues and clients.
• Potential Benefits: Ethical altruism fosters teamwork, collaboration, and a commitment to shared goals.
  • It can create a more positive and supportive work environment, leading to increased employee satisfaction and loyalty.
  • Ultimately, it aligns individual actions with the organization's mission.
• Potential Pitfalls: Unrestrained altruism can lead to burnout, resentment if sacrifices are not reciprocated, and exploitation by others who take advantage of one's willingness to help.
  • It can also create challenges in setting boundaries and saying "no" to unreasonable requests.

Conclusion

Balancing ethical egoism and altruism in professional decision-making involves recognizing that individual well-being is linked to the well-being of colleagues and the organization. Adopting enlightened self-interest and cultivating virtues like honesty and respect can ensure decisions benefit everyone. By doing so, public servants can foster a more ethical and productive work environment.