Mains Practice Questions

Introduction

Ethics is fundamentally concerned not just with the decisions individuals make but with the underlying rationale guiding those decisions.

• Ethical reasoning involves evaluating the morality of actions based on principles, values, and consequences rather than mere personal or societal preferences.

Body

Ethical Reasoning and Decision-Making:

Ethical reasoning is the process of critically analyzing moral dilemmas and making choices based on ethical principles. It includes various approaches:

• Consequentialism (Utilitarianism) – Decisions are based on outcomes (e.g., maximizing happiness for the greatest number).
  • Example: A government prioritizing economic relief measures during a crisis to benefit the majority.
• Deontological Ethics (Kantian Ethics) – Decisions are based on duties, rights, and rules, regardless of consequences.
  • Example: A whistleblower exposing corruption despite personal risks, as truth and justice are moral imperatives.
• Virtue Ethics (Aristotelian Ethics) – Focuses on the moral character of the decision-maker rather than the act itself.
  • Example: A doctor treating a poor patient for free, driven by compassion and professional ethics.

Ethics Beyond Choices

• Moral Justification Over Action: Ethics is concerned with whether a decision is taken out of self-interest, fear, or genuine moral obligation.
  • Example: Two people donate to charity—one for tax benefits, the other out of empathy. The act is the same, but the ethical reasoning differs.
• Intention and Ethical Integrity: The same action can have different moral values depending on intent.
  • Example: A business adopting sustainable practices purely for profit versus doing so for environmental responsibility.
• Ethical Dilemmas and Justification: Many ethical dilemmas involve competing values, and reasoning determines which value is prioritized.
  • Example: A judge sentencing a criminal must balance justice (punishment) with rehabilitation (mercy).
• Public Policy and Governance: In governance, decision-making is guided by constitutional values, social justice, and long-term societal good.
  • Example: Implementing affirmative action policies not merely as a political strategy but as a step towards social equity.

Conclusion

Therefore, Ethics is not merely about right or wrong choices but the rationale behind them. True ethical behavior stems from well-founded moral reasoning rather than compliance or convenience. Ethical leadership, governance, and individual conduct should be driven by principles such as justice, empathy, and integrity to ensure morally sound decision-making.