Mains Practice Questions

1. A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.

Quotes to Enrich Your Essay:

• Mahatma Gandhi: “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
• Warren Buffett: “Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.”

Theoretical and Philosophical Dimensions:

1. Intergenerational Responsibility and Ethical Altruism:

• The quote emphasizes selfless service and long-term vision in shaping a just and sustainable society.
• Philosophers like Immanuel Kant argue for a moral duty that extends beyond immediate self-interest.
• John Rawls’ "Veil of Ignorance" suggests that a just society should be structured considering the needs of future generations.

2. Sustainable Development and Legacy Building:

• Sustainability is an extension of the idea—economic, environmental, and social policies must prioritize future generations.
• The Brundtland Report (1987) defines sustainable development as "meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."

3. The Spirit of Nation-Building and Civic Duty:

• Progress is not just about personal achievements but about collective growth.
• In Plato’s Republic, an ideal society is one where each generation contributes to the greater good, even if they don’t directly benefit.

Policy and Historical Examples:

1. Social Reforms and Future-Oriented Policies:

• Abolition of Untouchability (India) – Leaders like B.R. Ambedkar worked for a socially inclusive India, even though they knew societal change would take generations.
• Universal Education (19th-20th century reforms) – Laws ensuring compulsory education in several countries transformed societies, though initial generations didn’t see the full benefits.

2. Infrastructure and Economic Foundations for Future Growth:

• Green Revolution in India (1960s) – Policies that ensure long-term food security, benefiting future generations.
• Golden Quadrilateral Highway Project (India, 2000s) – A massive infrastructure project that facilitates economic growth for decades to come.

3. Environmental Stewardship and Climate Action:

• Chipko Movement (1970s, India) – A community-driven environmental movement that safeguarded forests for future generations.
• Paris Climate Agreement (2015) – Global cooperation to combat climate change, with the primary beneficiaries being future generations.

Contemporary Examples:

• India’s Aadhaar Project – A long-term digital identity system for future generations.
• Space Exploration (ISRO, NASA, SpaceX Initiatives) – Investments in space technology that may not benefit the present generation but will shape the future.

2. Progress without conscience is just destruction in disguise

Quotes to Enrich Your Essay:

• “The ends of progress are empty without the means being ethical.”
• Albert Einstein: “Technological progress is like an axe in the hands of a pathological criminal”.
• Mahatma Gandhi: “Science without humanity is one of the seven social sins.”

Theoretical and Philosophical Dimensions:

1. Ethical Progress vs. Reckless Advancement:

• True progress balances technological, economic, and social advancements with ethical responsibility.
• Thinkers like John Stuart Mill (Utilitarianism) emphasize that progress should enhance collective well-being, not just material gains.

2. The Dangers of Unchecked Industrialization and Consumerism:

• Karl Marx warned about capitalism’s tendency to prioritize profit over people, leading to exploitation, inequality, and environmental degradation.
• Ecological Overshoot – Modern industrial civilization depletes resources unsustainably, leading to crises like deforestation, climate change, and mass extinctions.

3. Technology and Morality – A Double-Edged Sword:

• AI and Automation – While they boost productivity, they also lead to job losses, ethical dilemmas, and digital surveillance.
• Nuclear Energy – Used for both power generation and mass destruction (Hiroshima & Nagasaki).

Policy and Historical Examples:

1. Unethical Progress Leading to Destruction:

• Colonial Exploitation (18th-20th Century) – Economic progress for imperial powers came at the cost of human suffering and destruction of indigenous cultures.
• The Arms Race (Cold War Era) – Technological progress in weaponry led to global insecurity rather than peace.

2. Ethical Progress for Sustainable Development:

• Gandhian Philosophy of Sarvodaya (Welfare of All) – Advocates economic development without harming human values.
• Scandinavian Model of Welfare State – Ensures economic growth while prioritizing human dignity, education, and envi3ronmental sustainability.

Contemporary Examples:

1. Climate Change and the Cost of Unregulated Growth:

• Deforestation in the Amazon (2020s) – Economic expansion is causing irreversible loss of biodiversity.
• Air Pollution in Delhi & Beijing – Unchecked urbanization and industrialization leading to severe public health crises.

2. Ethical Dilemmas in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Biotechnology:

• Gene Editing (CRISPR Technology) – Raises questions about eugenics, bioethics, and the unintended consequences of genetic manipulation.

3. Sustainable Progress Models:

• Green Energy Initiatives (Germany’s Energiewende, India’s Solar Mission) – Combining economic growth with environmental responsibility.
• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Laws in India – Ensuring businesses contribute to social welfare rather than mere profit-making.