Moral Thinkers and Philosophers

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Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and the world.

Part of Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude

2026

1. · Paper Q3 · 2026 · 10 marks · Solution

(a) Dr. B. R. Ambedkar had cautioned that employing civil disobedience within a constitutional democracy equates to endorsing 'anarchy'. How should modern democracies navigate the ethical dilemmas posed by civil disobedience movements that aim to promote social justice against policies that may raise genuine concerns? (b) In what ways can an Indian Administrative Officer apply Gandhi's notion of 'trusteeship' to ensure fairness in governance? (c) Shakespeare in Henry IV says, "The arms are fair when the intent of bearing them is just". What ethical implications does this have in governance?

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Section b · 2. · Paper Q6(b) · 2026 · 10 marks · Solution

Some moral philosophers argue that spending some of your resources—without significantly affecting your financial stability—to help other people who badly suffer is our moral duty and not merely a matter of charity. Justify this claim by explaining the distinction between duty and charity.

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2024

Section a · 3. · Paper Q3(a) · 2024 · 10 marks · Solution

Given below are three quotations of great thinkers. What do each of these quotations convey to you in the present context? a) "Learn everything that is good from others, but bring it in, and in your own way absorb it, do not become others." - Swami Vivekananda

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2023

4. · Paper Q3 · 2023 · 10 marks · Solution

Given below are three quotations of great thinkers. What do each of the quotations convey to you in the present test? (a) "The simplest arts of kindness are by far more powerful than a thousand heads bowing in prayer."- Mahatma Gandhi (b) To awaken the people, it is the women who must be awakened. Once she is on the move, the family moves, the village moves, the nation moves". - Jawaharlal Nehru (c) "Do not hate anybody, because that hatred that comes out from you must, in the long run, come back to you. If you love, that love will me back to you, completing the circle- Swami Vivekananda.

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2021

5. · Paper Q3 · 2021 · 10 marks · Solution

What does each of the following quotations mean to you? (a) "Every work has got to pass through hundreds of difficulties before succeeding. Those that persevere will see the light, sooner or later" - Swami Vivekananda (b) "We can never obtain peace in the outer world until and unless we obtain peace within ourselves" - Dalai Lama (c) "Life doesn't make any sense without interdependence. We need each other, and the sooner we learn that it is better for us all" - Erik Erikson.

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2020

6. · Paper Q6 · 2020 · 10 marks · Solution

What do each of the following quotations mean to you? (а) "Condemn none: if you can stretch out a helping hand, do so. If not, fold your hands, bless your brothers, and let them go their own way." - Swami Vivekanand (b) "The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others." - Mahatma Gandhi (с) "A system of morality which is based on relative emotional values is a mere illusion, a thoroughly vulgar conception which has nothing sound in it and nothing true." - Socrates.

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2019

7. · Paper Q6 · 2019 · 10 marks · Solution

What do each of the following quotations mean to you? (a) "An unexamined life is not worth living." - Socrates (10 marks) (b) "A man is but the product of his thoughts. What he thinks, he becomes." - M.K.Gandhi (10 marks) (c) "Where there is righteousness in the heart, there is beauty in the character. When there is beauty in the character, there is harmony in the home. When there is harmony in the home, there is order in the nation. When there is order in the nation, there is peace in the world." - A.P.J. Abdul Kalam (10 marks).

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2018

8. · Paper Q6 · 2018 · 10 marks · Solution

What do each of the following quotations mean to you in the present context? (a) "The true rule, in determining to embrace, or reject anything, is not whether it has any evil in it; but whether it has more evil than good. There are few things wholly evil or wholly good. Almost everything, especially of governmental policy, is an inseparable compound of the two; so that our best judgement of the preponderance between them is continually demanded. "Abraham Lincoln (b) "Anger and intolerance are the enemies of correct understanding." Mahatma Gandhi (c) "Falsehood takes the place of truth when it results in unblemished common good." _ Tirukkural.

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2016

Section b · 9. · Paper Q2(b) · 2016 · 10 marks · Solution

Discuss Mahatma Gandhi's concept of seven sins.

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10. · Paper Q3 · 2016 · 12 marks · Solution

(a) Analyse John rawls's concept of social justice in the Indian Context. (150 word) (b) Discuss the Public Services Code as recommended by the 2nd Administrative Reforms Commission.

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2015

11. · Paper Q2 · 2015 · 12 marks · Solution

Given are two quotations of moral thinkers/philosophers. For each of these bring out what it means to you in the present context. (a) "The weak can never forgive; forgiveness is the attribute of strong." (10) (b) "We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light" (10 marks).

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