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Mission Mains 2021: GS 4 Ethics Discussion

This is for those of you who are planning to write Mains 2020. Primarily, the agenda of this thread would be 


1. Answer Writing Practice

2. Sharing examples - anecdotes from Current affairs relevant for GS4 Answer writing

3. Any doubts wrt. Paper 4!

Feel free to pool in your suggestions!

jack_Sparrow,Neyawnand91 otherslike this
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Anyone with GS4 mains test papers collated of diff coaching institutes . I wanted them for practicing them via printout. Finding difficulty in sorting from freeupscmaterial . Help would really be appreciated !!
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8. What does this quotation mean to you ? 

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 (150 words)

pls give your valuable feedback. 

yummy,
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7. What does this quotation mean to you ? 

A man is but a product of his thoughts. What he thinks he becomes.” – M.K. Gandhi


upsc2020,
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yummysaid

8. What does this quotation mean to you ? 

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 (150 words)

pls give your valuable feedback. 

I think it is important to define righteousness in this question. Flow of examples is good. 

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yummysaid

7. What does this quotation mean to you ? 

A man is but a product of his thoughts. What he thinks he becomes.” – M.K. Gandhi


Value addition

+ Mahatma Gandhi in his book “My Experiments with Truth” has shown how his thought process was influenced by his upbringing, experiences and his strong beliefs.

+ Can add positive thoughts like empathy, compassion / -ve thoughts like greed, hatred. 

yummy,
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The first step in the evolution of ethic is a sense of solidarity with other human beings.

With reference to ethics in journalism, comment on the above statement. 
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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 ( 150 words) CSE 2018
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please review above question. Thanks


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yummysaid

please review above question. Thanks


Your examples are appropriate, and interpretation of the quote is fairly correct. 

In questions like these, I personally focus more on the quote and ethical aspect around it. Along with it I sprinkle examples for substantiating. So few aspects of the quote you can probe

1. World is neither white or black, but grey. Similarly decisions aren’t merely evil or good. Eg construction of dam has good benefits of irrigation and evil consequence of displacement 

2. It means decisions to be judged in subjectivity->reaffirming moral relativism over moral absolutism 

3. Positive of moral relativism. Eg Judging decisions taken by public servant with honest intention (it becomes useful since public servants fear 3C)

4. Issue regarding moral relativism. Eg J&K media policy 2020, Government claims ‘good’ benefits while activist claim evil consequences 

5. Way forward- (to each is own, almost all generic way forward are acceptable)

TwoFace,yummy
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@rashiv Thanks. Your points are real value addition.


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yummysaid

8. What does this quotation mean to you ? 

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 (150 words)

pls give your valuable feedback. 

Good effort. Can add a diagram, to show your understanding of the statement in the question'. Just a suggestion. Not saying diagrams are essential. In this one, there was a scope.




I am no knight. Do not call me Sir|Philosophy behind ForumIAS

ujjwal1996330,DMand12 otherslike this
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@upsc2020 thank you very much !


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@Neyawn Thanks. I never thought of it. I will try to incorporate this. 


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 State the three basic values, universal in nature, in the context of civil services and bring out their importance. (150 words). 2018 Mains
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upsc2020,
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yummysaid


Since the question asks about values which are universal, I think one should quote various national and international reports to substantiate on the "overlapping" universal values. 

1. International Code of Conduct for Public Officials by UN

2. Nolan Committee

3. ARC 


yummy,Sankoza
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@upsc2020 thanks for suggestions. This will substantiate the universality of values.


upsc2020,
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Ethics in IR :

Q.1.Strength peace and security are considered to be the pillars of international relations. Elucidate. 
(150 words) 2018

2. 2015 : 

Q7. At the international level, the bilateral relations between most nations are governed on the policy of promoting one’s own national interest without any regard for the interest of other nations.
 This leads to conflicts and tensions between the nations.

 How can ethical consideration help resolve such tensions?

 Discuss with specific examples. (150 words) 10
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Above question 1. Please give your valuable insights. Thanks.

upsc2020,
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yummysaid

Above question 1. Please give your valuable insights. Thanks.

1. Since it is GS 4, start with a definition/explanation. Explain international relations (IR) in a sentence 

2. Alternate structure could be as follows 

A. Today’s pillars are- Strength ->interpreted as Force and coercion. Eg China

 - Peace->for ones own community, nation etc. Eg Yemen conflict 

 - Security->territorial. Attained using aggressive methods. Eg Nuclear, military 


B. But we should strive for - Societal strength->focussing on HDI and cooperation to improve 

 - World Peace->via multilateralism 

 - Human Security->focus on global commons like environment (Paris agreement), terrorism etc 


C. Role of India in achieving this (in a line or two)

upsc2020,yummy
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