Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude

Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude

"The time is always right to do what is right"

Martin Luther King jr.

Intelligence - It is the ability of an individual to think rationally, to act purposefully, to deal effectively with the environment.

Aptitude - It is defined as the suitability for a particular activity. It is usually characterised by -

• Specialised ability
• Proficiency in a specific area
• It is natural or it can also be acquired

Having aptitude in an administrator is a necessary condition but it does not guarantee effective administration.

        For effective administration, the administrator must have Ethics and Integrity (they are the sufficient condition for effective administration).

"Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make man a more clever evil"

C.S. Lewis

Ethics - It is defined as a prescriptive rule of conduct which enables an individual to differentiate between right and wrong and follow the path of righteousness.

Integrity - It is the morale/quality when you follow the path of righteousness across time and space (i.e., when your decision is not governed by the circumstances).

In other word, following the path of righteousness across time and space is integrity.

"Ethics is the talk while integrity is walking the talk"

Significance of Ethics 

• At Individual level
1. It helps in resolving conflict between competing values.
2. It prevents cognitive dissonance (i.e., confusion, mental discomfort/uneasiness).
3. It provides peace of mind.
4. It improves credibility.
5. It helps in quick decision making (as decisions are not driven by circumstances but by the ethics)
6. It helps in maintaining discipline.
7. It helps in facing challenges/crises situation in constructive manner.
8. It helps to enhance self-esteem in his own vision.
9. It gives sense of pride
• At Social and Administrative level
1. It promotes peace and harmony.
2. It prevents social strife/conflicts.
3. It helps in establishing virtuous state (Ram Rajya).
4. It helps in establishing order and stability in the society.
5. It promotes social tolerance.
6. It promotes social cohesion and integration.
7. It will ensure efficiency in administration.
8. It helps in establishing order and stability in the society.

Examples of Competing values 

• Social value vs Economic value

For a doctor who is prescribing medicines to the patient. He would have two options - First, to prescribe him a Generic Medicine (which was more economical, which shows his compassion) and other, he would prescribe him a branded medicine (which is more profit oriented for him).

i.e., Generic medicine → More compassionate

or, Branded medicine → More profit orientation

Previous year questions (PYQs) 

1. How ethics contributes to social and human well being?
2. What do you mean by values and ethics? In what way is it important to be ethical along with professional competence?

Ethics

Sources of Ethics -

• Norms
• Constitution
• Religious scriptures
• Philosophies
• Examples of various leaders, etc.

Ethics are often found in the form of Norms.

Norms - 

• Norms are set of rules or behaviours agreed upon by societal members.
• They are informal guidelines, expressed through customs.
• They are binding on all the members of the society.
• Non-conformity of the norms might lead to social ostracization.

i.e., the general characteristics of the norms are -

1. They are social expectation.
2. They act as a social control on individual.
3. They induce uniformity among the society.
4. Help in checking the deviant behaviour.
5. The later stage of the evolution of Norms is the Law where society has codified the expected/unexpected behaviour.

Examples of norms - Touching the feet of elders, Greeting the elders, Marrying according to parents' wish, etc.

Ethics and Law 

"Ethics begins where the law ends"

Ethics tell us what is the right things to do however, society can have different ways to answer that question. Hence, there should be a minimum enforceable standard behaviour in a society and it is known as Law.

• Laws are usually based on ethical framework. It aims to bring social order while controlling the unethical behaviour of the individual in the society.
• Laws act as an external set of standards and rules imposed on an individual by the government.
• Any deviance from the law results into penalties and punishment. Thus, it deters non-compliance.
• Laws have societal sanctions and thus have in important rule in smooth functioning of the society.

Whereas, Ethics act as a moral compass in guiding an individual even when the law is silent on the action.

Ethics is the first line of defence where as laws are reaction and only a remedy.

Examples which is not illegal but unethical 

1. Abortion within stipulated timeframe
2. Live-in relationship
3. Marital rape
4. Adultary
5. Homosexuality
6. Breaking a promise
7. Suicide
8. Lying
9. Prostitution at individual level
10. Fake news
11. Euthanasia, etc

Examples which is ethical but not legal 

1. Breaking rules to save someone's life
2. Dissent
3. Robinhood approach
4. Child marriage (as per Rajasthani custom and people_
5. Getting a girl married at an early age, etc

Previous year question 

Differentiate between laws and ethics.

Previous Article - How to prepare ethics for UPSC CSE 

Next Article - Value, Attitude, Morals and Ethics

Notes on other subjects 

Ancient History

Medieval History

Modern History

Art & Culture

Polity

Geography

International Relations

Society

Ethics

Optional Subject 

Public Administration

Note - This is my Vision IAS Notes (Vision IAS Class Notes) and Ashutosh Pandey Sir's Public Administration Class notes. I've also added some of the information on my own. 

Hope! It will help you to achieve your dream of getting selected in Civil Services Examination 👍