NOTE: Please remember that following ‘answers’ are NOT ‘model answers’. They are NOT synopsis too if we go by definition of the term. What we are providing is content that both meets demand of the question and at the same
General Studies – 1
Topic: Salient features of world’s physical geography.
Difficulty level: Easy
Reference: Insights on India
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 1 and mentioned as part of Mission-2024 Secure timetable.
Key Demand of the question:
mention the major relief feature of ocean floor and explain them and their significance.
Directive word:
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you must debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You must give reasons for both for and against arguments.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Explain what is meant by ocean bottom relief and how our understanding of ocean bottom has evolved with time.
Body:
First, List the major ocean relief features – the continental shelf, the continental slope, the continental rise, the Deep Sea Plain or the abyssal plain, Oceanic Deeps or Trenches, mid oceanic ridges. Explain these features.
Next, write about the significance of study of ocean relief.
Conclusion:
Conclude by stressing on the overall importance of study of ocean relief.
Introduction
Water covers 70% of the earth’s surface in which only 3% are fresh water (Of this, 2% is in polar ice caps and only 1% is usable water). Oceans make up around 67 percent of the Earth’s surface. The relief features of the oceans are quite different from the continental features because the Oceanic crust is less than 60-70- million years old whereas continental features are of Proterozoic age which is over 1 billion years old. The Oceanic relief features are in the form of mountains, basins, plateaus, ridges, canyons and trenches beneath the ocean water. These forms are called Submarine Relief.
Body
Ocean relief is largely due to tectonic, volcanic, erosional and depositional processes and their interactions. Ocean relief features are divided into major and minor relief features.
Major Ocean Relief Features: There are four major divisions in the ocean relief
- Continental shelf
- There is no clear or well-defined line separating oceans from continents.
- Infact, continents do not end abruptly at shoreline.
- They slope seaward from the coast to a point where the slope becomes very steep.
- The shallow submerged extension of continent is called the continental shelf.
- The depth of this shallow sea water over the continental shelf ranges between 120 to 370 metres.
- The width of the continental shelf varies greatly ranging between a few kilometres to more than 100 kilometres.
- Continental slope & Continental rise
- The continuously sloping portion of the continental margin, seaward of the continental shelf and extending down to the deep-sea floor of the abyssal plain, is known as continental slope.
- It is characterized by gradients of 2.5 degrees.
- It extends between the depth of 180 to 3600 metres.
- In some places, for example, off the shore of Philippines, the continental slope extends to a great depth.
- Continental slopes, mainly due to their steepness and increasing distance from the land have very little deposits of sediments on them.
- Sea life is also far less here than on the shelf.
- Along the base of the continental slope is a deposit of sediments. This belt of sedimentary deposits form the continental rise.
- In some regions the rise is very narrow but in others it may extend up to 600 km in width.
- Deep Sea Plain or Abyssal plain
- Abyssal plains are extremely flat and featureless plains of the deep ocean floor.
- In fact, the abyssal plains are likely the most level areas on the earth.
- Abyssal plains covering a major portion of ocean floor between the depth of 3000m to 6000m.
- They were once regarded as featureless plains but modem devices have shown that they are as irregular as the continental plain or surface.
- They have extensive submarine plateaus, hills, guyots and seamounts.
- The floor of the abyssal plain is covered by sediments.
- Ocean deeps
- The ocean deeps are the deepest part of the ocean.
- They are long, narrow, steep sided and flat-floored depressions on the ocean floor.
- They are generally called submarine trenches.
Conclusion
The Oceanic relief controls the motion of sea water. It influences the oceanic movement in the form of currents and helps in the navigation and fishing. It is a result of the plate tectonics and very little of the ocean floor has been mapped directly due to the vastness, diversity and associated challenges.
Value addition
Minor Ocean Relief Features:
- Ridges
- Hills
- Seamounts
- Guyots
- Trenches
- Canyons
- Sleeps
- Fracture zones.
- Island arcs.
- Atolls
- Coral reefs.
- Submerged volcanoes.
- Sea-scarps.
- Hydrothermal Vents.
- Methane seeps.
Topic: Salient features of world’s physical geography.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Insights on India
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 1 and mentioned as part of Mission-2024 Secure timetable.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the resource richness of the Continental shelf of the Indian ocean and its economic implications.
Directive word:
Examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we must investigate the topic (content words) in detail, inspect it, investigate it and establish the key facts and issues related to the topic in question. While doing so we should explain why these facts and issues are important and their implications.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start the answer by stating various resources available in the continental shelf such as natural gas, minerals such as manganese and oil etc.
Body:
First, draw a neat diagram showing major resources. Write in detail the economic implications of the resources mentioned in the introduction.
Then mention the nutrient richness of the continental shelf, promoting diverse marine animals and their economic significance. Further, mention the corals and mangrove vegetation that not only promotes the biodiversity but also protects the economic activities of the coastal region by protecting it against vagaries of climate change events.
Conclusion:
Conclude by stating that the continental shelf of the Indian ocean is hugely resource rich and we need to have a sustainable approach to harness them.
Introduction
Continental shelf, a broad, relatively shallow submarine terrace of continental crust forming the edge of a continental landmass. The geology of continental shelves is often similar to that of the adjacent exposed portion of the continent, and most shelves have a gently rolling topography called ridge and swale. Continental shelves make up about 8 percent of the entire area covered by oceans.
Body
Economic significance of the resources in the continental shelf of the Indian Ocean
Biotic Resources: The Biotic Resources include fish, crustaceans’ molluscs, sea weeds and other edible form of marine life.
- Marine Animals provide oil, fur, leather, cattle food etc.
- Marine plants and animals are also used in curative medicine.
- Seaweed derived from continental shelf are used in cooking and textiles.
- Among all biotic resources Fish are more important for the people of Indian Ocean region because they are a rich source of proteins and account for more than 10% of the animal protein food. e.g. major varieties of fish include Tuna, Mackerel, Salman, Sardine, Prawn etc.
- Fisheries and aquaculture industries are also a major source of exports. India’s maritime exports grew 55 times in volume between 1962 and 2012 and fisheries exports now account for Rs. 16,600 crore or about $2.5 billion.
Mineral Resources:
- The mineral resources derived from the continental shelf of Indian Ocean include both metallic and non-metallic resources either in the dissolved form or as suspensions. The dissolved salts include common salt. e.g. Sodium Chloride, Salts of Magnesium and Bromine
- Minerals derived from the shelves include Petroleum gas, Magnesium, Sulphur, Iron, Gold, Silver, Polymetallic nodules of copper zinc etc. These are valuable for the industrial usage.
- Oil and Natural Gas are the important of all the mineral resources. They constitute up to 90% of the value of mineral derived from the sea. e.g. Bombay High.
- Placer Deposits: Vitally important, thorium resources in placer sands of Malabar coast are a promise to Nuclear Energy security.
Energy Resources:
- Tidal Waves: Tides during rise and fall, release a lot of energy by striking against the shore. This action of tidal waves can be used to operate a turbine and produce electricity. e.g. Tidal Wave plant has been established at Durgaduani in Sunderban of West Bengal.
- Energy from temperature difference in Surface and Sub-surface water: In tropical oceans like Indian Ocean, the surface temperature is about 25°C to 30°C while the sub-temperature is 5°C. This vertical difference of temperature is enough to generate electricity. e.g. Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Plant at the coast of Tamil Nadu
- Geothermal Energy: This means tapping heat from the fracture zones and active volcanoes on Continental Shelves.
Tourism:
- Coral atolls in Lakshadweep, Andaman & Nicobar Islands attract many tourists from India as well as abroad. This helps the livelihood of many islanders.
Conclusion
The Continental Shelf of the Indian Ocean is economically very significant for people. Indian Ocean is an “ocean of economic opportunities” for India. The security threats posed by State and non-state actors are impeding the progress. The Government initiatives like SAGAR, IORA, Sagarmala etc. should ensure that the fruits of Blue Economy is well reaped.
Value addition
Factors that make continental shelves one of the highly productive ecosystems:
- The continental shelf is geologically defined as the submerged prolongation of the land mass of the coastal State, consisting of the seabed and subsoil of the shelf, slope, and rise. It does not include the deep ocean floor.
- Despite their small size in both areal extent and volume, the waters over continental shelves are usually rich in nutrients, which in turn make them among the most biologically productive areas of the oceans.
- Water depth over the continental shelves averages about 60 meters (200 feet). Sunlight penetrates the shallow waters, and many kinds of organisms flourish—from microscopic shrimp to giant seaweed called kelp. Ocean currents and runoff from rivers bring nutrients to organisms that live on continental shelves.
- Plants and algae make continental shelves rich feeding grounds for sea creatures.
- Accordingly, about 90% of the world’s fisheries production is harvested over the continental shelves.
- One of the reasons for this higher productivity is the increased nutrient loads via runoff from the continental landmasses (mostly by rivers), however many shelf areas receive significant nutrients from upwelling of deeper ocean waters.
- Continental shelf waters also tend to have food chains with fewer trophic levels, and on average support larger fish.
General Studies – 2
Topic: Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary—Ministries and Departments of the Government
Difficulty level: Tough
Reference: Indian Express
Why the question:
The article emphasizes the need for a more careful and nuanced approach when dealing with cases involving freedom of speech.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the need for Court’s power of contempt to punish people who scandalise it and need to balance it with freedom of speech.
Directive word:
Comment– here we must express our knowledge and understanding of the issue and form an overall opinion thereupon.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by defining the Court’s power of contempt and types of contempt.
Body:
First, Discuss the origin of the concept, its constitutionality/ statutory basis, its different kinds.
Next, Explain the concept- Contempt of court, is the offence of being disobedient to or disrespectful towards a court of law and its officers in the form of behaviour that opposes or defies the authority, justice and dignity of the court. Contempt of court, as a concept, seeks to protect judicial institutions from motivated attacks and unwarranted criticism, and as a legal mechanism to punish those who lower its authority. Cite recent famous examples.
Next, write about its impact on freedom of speech and fair criticism of the court.
Conclusion:
Conclude by giving a balanced opinion on the issue.
Introduction
Last week, political commentator and publisher Badri Seshadri was arrested from his home in Chennai in the early hours of Saturday. The reason for the police from Perambalur district to travel nearly 300 km to make this speedy arrest was comments made by Seshadri during an interview on a YouTube channel criticising the Supreme Court and the Chief Justice of India on the Manipur issue.
He was booked for promoting enmity, wanton provocation with intent to cause a riot, etc., based on the complaint of a local lawyer. Needless to say, the state’s action came in for criticism from a wide section of society, especially from writers and journalists of all political leanings.
In this background, it is necessary to revisit criminal contempt, and role of judiciary and executive that implement the law.
Body
Criminal contempt: A special law is asynchronous with freedom of speech
- The objective for contempt is stated to be to safeguard the interests of the public, if the authority of the Court is denigrated and public confidence in the administration of justice is weakened or eroded.
- But the definition of criminal contempt in India is extremely wide, and can be easily invoked.
- Suo motu powers of the Court to initiate such proceedings only serve to complicate matters. And truth and good faith were not recognised as valid defences until 2006, when the Contempt of Courts Act was amended.
- Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer famously termed the law of contempt as having a vague and wandering jurisdiction, with uncertain boundaries; contempt law, regardless of public good, may unwittingly trample upon civil liberties. It is for us to determine what is the extent of such trampling we are willing to bear.
- On the face of it, a law for criminal contempt is completely asynchronous with our democratic system which recognises freedom of speech and expression as a fundamental right.
- This holds true even for the executive to use laws such as UAPA and the NSA to clamp down on dissent.
- Recently in Uttar Pradesh, government publicly announced that those creating fear or spoiling the atmosphere by posting false grievances will be punished under National Security Act goes against the ethos of the Constitution.
- Given the propensity of such leaders to treat the voicing of grievances by citizens as a personal affront to their administrative capabilities, the Court’s warning that any attempt to stifle the people’s voices would attract action for contempt of court is quite timely and necessary.
Way forward
- As Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, remarked, any clampdown on information is contrary to basic precepts.
- He underscored the significance and necessity for the free flow of information during a grave crisis by recalling the role it played in containing a famine in 1970.
- The Court was apparently drawing inspiration from the theory, articulated by economist Amartya Sen, that the fundamental attributes of democracy — such as a free press and the need to face the people at elections and respond to political criticism — help prevent famines.
Conclusion
Besides needing to revisit the need for a law on criminal contempt, even the test for contempt needs to be evaluated. If such a test ought to exist at all, it should be whether the contemptuous remarks in question actually obstruct the Court from functioning. It should not be allowed to be used as a means to prevent any and all criticism of an institution.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
Difficulty level: Easy
Reference: The Hindu, Insights on India
Why the question:
last week of July, researchers in South Korea said they had discovered that a material called LK-99 is a room-temperature superconductor. Scientists have been looking for such materials for several decades now for their ability to transport heavy currents without any loss – a property that could revolutionise a variety of industrial and medical applications.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about superconductivity and its various applications.
Directive word:
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you must debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You must give reasons for both for and against arguments.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by defining superconductivity.
Body:
In the first part, in brief explain the concept of superconductivity and how it works.
Next, write about the applications of superconductivity – from healthcare and energy to transportation and communications, MRI machines, power transmission, particle accelerators, transportation, and energy storage etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a way forward.
Introduction
Superconductivity is a state in which a material shows absolutely zero electrical resistance. While resistance is a property that restricts the flow of electricity, superconductivity allows unhindered flow Materials are said to be exhibiting superconductivity when they exhibit the following two characteristics after being cooled below their critical temperature: zero electrical resistance and expulsion of magnetic fields (Meissner effect). All the electrons align themselves in a particular direction, and move without any obstruction in a “coherent” manner. Because of zero resistance, superconducting materials can save huge amounts of energy, and be used to make highly efficient electrical appliances. IISc researchers have reported superconductivity at room temperature. Their finding, now under review, will be a breakthrough if verified.
Body
Background
In last week of July, researchers in South Korea said they had discovered that a material called LK-99 is a room-temperature superconductor. Scientists have been looking for such materials for several decades now for their ability to transport heavy currents without any loss – a property that could revolutionise a variety of industrial and medical applications.
Applications
- SQUIDs (Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices)can be used to take magnetic cardiograms based on magnetic fields generated by electrical currents in the heart.
- These are used in the memory components of computersand fast digital circuits (including those based on Josephson junctions and rapid single flux quantum technology).
- Transportation: powerful superconducting electromagnets used in maglev trains, magnetic confinement fusion reactors (e.g. tokamaks), and magnets used in particle accelerators
- Transforming the Electricity Grid: Superconductor technology provides loss-less wires and cables and improves the reliability and efficiency of the power grid. It saves power and with it the financial savings and the environmental benefits also accrue
- Medical diagnosis:One of the first large-scale applications of superconductivity is in medical diagnosis. Magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, uses powerful superconducting magnets to produce large and uniform magnetic fields inside the patient’s body.
- Superconductors are also being employed forundersea communication, submarine detection and geophysical prospecting
- high sensitivity particle detectors, including the transition edge sensor, the superconducting bolometer, the superconducting tunnel junction detector, the kinetic inductance detector, and the superconducting nanowire single-photon detector
- rail gun and coilgun magnets
- electric motors and generators
Conclusion
Technical barriers have till now hindered the large scale usage of superconductivity phenomenon. With the new discovery, the true potential of super-conductivity can be reached out for socio-economic development of the country.
Topic: Linkages between development and spread of extremism.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: The Hindu , Insights on India
Why the question:
One infiltrator was killed close to the Line of Control (LoC) in the Pir Panjal Valley’s Poonch district, officials said on August 7.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the interlinkages between cross border terror groups, its impact and need for collaboration to eliminate it.
Directive word:
Analyse – When asked to analyse, you must examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them in a summary.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin the answer by citing the complexity of terror networks.
Body:
First, mention the various inter-links between cross border terror groups and various organised crimes which has made a terrorism a global problem.
Next, write about the various government measures in this direction and the needs for greater global and national cooperation and collaboration in order to tackle this issue,
Conclusion:
Conclude with solutions to address the issue.
Introduction
Crime and terrorism are critical issues for security officials and investigators all around the world. Earlier, the problems of organized crime and terrorism were considered as separate phenomena but after horrified incident of September 11th attacks, researchers have started linking these two as terrorized occurrences.
One infiltrator was killed close to the Line of Control (LoC) in the Pir Panjal Valley’s Poonch district, officials said recently.
Body
Link between Organized crime and terrorism:
Though mostly both the phenomena are studied differently. Both have different ends. While the organize crime engages in various criminal activities for financial gains, terrorism engages in its violent activities for political gains. But recently, Scholars have stated that there is a strong link between the two. Terrorists are increasingly supporting them through terrorist activities.
- Terrorism and Drug Trafficking: According to UNDOC (2017), annual trade of illicit drugs is estimated in the range of $426-652 billion, and the proceeds of which generate 1/5thto 1/3rdof the global revenues of organized crime. Approximately 86% of the world’s Opium cultivation takes place in Afghanistan in the regions controlled by the Taliban. The Taliban’s association with the opium economy also indicates a correlation between the trade-in illicit drugs as a criminal activity and terrorism.
- Terrorism and Arms Trafficking: Terrorists are increasingly using automatic weapons to perpetrate attacks and there is a growing concern about arms trafficking groups supporting terrorism with the provision of advanced arms. The use of weapons by terrorists is evident in several recent attacks and attempted attacks across Europe. For example, in the ISIL inspired terrorist attacks carried out in Paris in November 2015, extremists opened fire with Kalashnikov and other types of assault rifles, which ended up in the criminal market as a result of cross-border trafficking
- Terrorism and smuggling: Terrorist groups seem to have increasingly taken up trafficking in illicit antiquities and cultural property to fund their operations, support recruits, and acquire weapons. Antiquities are not only a source of revenue generation for terrorists, but they also have symbolic value. By destroying and/or removing symbolic representations of culture, terrorist groups effectively undermine the State/nationalism and attack the morale of local populations/peoples through a type of “cultural cleansing”
- Terrorism and human trafficking: Trafficking in persons is a lucrative business for armed groups around the world (UNCTED, 2019). Recent actions by the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS), or Islamic State in the Levant (ISIL), also known as Daesh, and Boko Haram (Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati Wal-Jahad) in Nigeria have drawn attention to a growing nexus between terrorism and trafficking in persons
- Terrorism and kidnapping for ransom: From 1970-2010, kidnapping incidents represented a small portion of all terrorist attacks (6.9%), however, through 2016 the percentage of kidnappings has jumped significantly to 15.8% of all terrorist attacks (Global Terrorism Database, 2018)
Reasons for the increasing nexus between Terrorism and organized crime
- Both are realizing the complementary nature of each other in achieving their goals.
- They have a common enemy in national governments and the rule of law.
- Historically, the end of the cold war ended financial support to many terrorist organizations that led terrorist organizations to link themselves with organized crime for financial support.
- Increased sophistication in money laundering as corporates engage in tax evasion that helps in the continuous money supply.
- Issues of mis-governance and lack of governance.
- The inequalities existing in society are manipulated by these organizations to grow their base.
- Globalization has its side effects through the communication revolution and its anonymity. The cyberspace and dark web are increasingly being used to coordinate.
- The outstanding geopolitical issues that are sought to be solved by governments through immoral activities like terrorism and crime penetration.
Difficulties in tackling the nexus
- The legal complexities create duplicity of efforts and jurisdictional issues. These delays investigation and often gives unnecessary cooling-off period for groups to regather themselves.
- The higher echelons of organized crime are insulated from its foot soldiers. Hence it is difficult to dent the structure significantly. There is difficulty in obtaining proof.
- The main link between these two is network of financial transactions. The rising sophistication in money laundering and corporate greed resulting in tax evasion, unfortunately, helps the network of money laundering.
- There is a lack of coordination between police departments of different states that makes organized crime and terrorist nexus easy to operate.
- The criminal-political-bureaucratic nexus helps crime syndicates which indirectly helps in the spread of terrorism.
- The state support for terrorism and unorganized crime makes it difficult for any international cooperation and consensus-building.
- Dual criminality and the spread of nexus across the world make it difficult to track due to lack of international and bilateral coordination and cooperation.
Way forward
- The nexus that is thriving due to complementary nature must be broken down so that it will be easier to tackle them separately.
- There is a need for fine-tuning of the criminal investigation so as to find and establish links of a crime syndicate with terrorism.
- Improving coordination and establishing specialized units to investigate. The specialized unit must have competent human resources, finances, technical expertise and appropriate legal backing to work in an unhindered manner.
- The necessity of legal backing stems from the existence of numerous stakeholders such as state police, border security, financial sector, special units such as narcotics departments.
- The interstate coordination is necessary and an organization in the lines of the National Counter Terrorism Center to tackle the nexus. It will help in national and international coordination.
- India must continue to engage the international space for better policy, concerted actions against state-sponsored terrorism, and terrorist financing.
- The international cooperation can stem from UNSC resolutions and other institutional mechanisms such as FATF.
Conclusion
In many parts of the world, terrorists are exploiting local grievances and poor governance to regroup and assert their control. “Collective action and international cooperation are needed now more than ever.”
General Studies – 4
Topic: Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and the world to the concepts of morality;
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Reference: plato.stanford.edu
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4 and part of ‘Philosophical Mondays’ in Mission-2024 Secure.
Key Demand of the question:
To compare and contrast deontology and utilitarianism.
Directive word:
Comment– here we must express our knowledge and understanding of the issue and form an overall opinion thereupon.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by defining deontological ethics and its features.
Body:
First, write as to why utilitarianism is more acceptable and popular.
Next, write the limitations of utilitarianism and how deontological ethics have more moral sensitivity in our daily lives on basis of rules and laws it lays down. Justify with examples as to how it is part of our daily lives.
Conclusion:
Give a concise summation of your views to conclude the answer.
Introduction
Utilitarianism would say that an action is right if it results in the happiness of the greatest number of people in a society or a group. Utilitarianism is a theory of morality, which advocates actions that foster happiness or pleasure and opposes actions that cause unhappiness or harm. When directed toward making social, economic, or political decisions, a utilitarian philosophy would aim for the betterment of society as a whole.
In deontological ethics an action is considered morally good because of some characteristic of the action itself, not because the product of the action is good. Deontological ethics holds that at least some acts are morally obligatory regardless of their consequences for human welfare. Descriptive of such ethics are such expressions as “Duty for duty’s sake,” “Virtue is its own reward,” and “Let justice be done though the heavens fall.”
Body
Concept of Utilitarianism
Greatest good of the greatest number, was famously given by Jeremy Bentham, the father of utilitarianism. Bentham’s fundamental axiom, which underlies utilitarianism, was that all social morals and government legislation should aim for producing the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people. Utilitarianism, therefore, emphasizes the consequences or ultimate purpose of an act rather than the character of the actor, the actor’s motivation, or the particular circumstances surrounding the act. It has these characteristics:
- Universality, because it applies to all acts of human behavior, even those that appear to be done from altruistic motives;
- Objectivity, meaning it operates beyond individual thought, desire, and perspective;
- Rationality, because it is not based in metaphysics or theology; and
- Quantifiability in its reliance on utility.
Limitations
- A limitation of utilitarianism is that it tends to create a black-and-white construct of morality. In utilitarian ethics, there are no shades of gray—either something is wrong or it is right.
- Utilitarianism also cannot predict with certainty whether the consequences of our actions will be good or bad—the results of our actions happen in the future.
- Utilitarianism also has trouble accounting for values like justice and individual rights. For example, say a hospital has four people whose lives depend upon receiving organ transplants: a heart, lungs, a kidney, and a liver. If a healthy person wanders into the hospital, his organs could be harvested to save four lives at the expense of his one life. This would arguably produce the greatest good for the greatest number. But few would consider it an acceptable course of action, let alone an ethical one.
Deontological ethics and its moral sensitivity
- The first great philosopher to define deontological principles was Immanuel Kant. He believed that each man is an end in himself and must never be used as another man’s means to an end.
- John Rawls another deontologist discarded utilitarianism. He said, that “Each person possesses an inviolability founded on justice that even the welfare of society as a whole cannot override”.
- For this reason, justice denies that the loss of freedom for some is made right by a greater good shared by others.
- It does not allow that the sacrifices imposed on a few are outweighed by the larger sum of advantages enjoyed by many.
- Therefore, in a just society the liberties of equal citizenship are taken as settled; the rights secured by justice are not subject to political bargaining or to the calculus of social interests.
- As deontology places significance on human dignity, it is most widely accepted.
Conclusion
Deontology is simple to apply. It just requires that people follow the rules and do their duty. This approach tends to fit well with our natural intuition about what is or isn’t ethical. Unlike consequentialism, which judges actions by their results, deontology doesn’t require weighing the costs and benefits of a situation. This avoids subjectivity and uncertainty because one only has to follow set rules.
Topic: Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and the world to the concepts of morality;
Difficulty level: Tough
Reference: plato.stanford.edu
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4 and part of ‘Philosophical Mondays’ in Mission-2024 Secure.
Directive word:
Examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we must investigate the topic (content words) in detail, inspect it, investigate it and establish the key facts and issues related to the topic in question. While doing so we should explain why these facts and issues are important and their implications.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by giving context regarding justice as per Socrates.
Body:
Elaborate, upon the above further that in a just state one focusses on his own rights without impinging upon the rights of the others.
Next, write about the if or not the above concept of justice addresses historical injustices. Cite examples of substantiate you point.
Conclusion:
Conclude by giving a balanced opinion.
Introduction
Socrates’ idea of justice, as presented in the works of Plato, primarily focused on individual virtue and the harmony of the soul. He believed that justice was achieved when each part of the soul performed its proper function and individuals pursued the highest good for themselves and their community.
However, modern discussions on addressing historical injustices, especially in the context of India, have evolved to encompass a much broader set of considerations that extend beyond individual virtue.
Body
India’s history is marked by various forms of historical injustices, including colonization, caste-based discrimination, religious conflicts, and economic disparities. In addressing these issues, modern discussions have taken into account the following considerations:
- Social and Economic Inequities: Unlike Socrates’ focus on individual virtue, modern discussions emphasize addressing systemic inequalities. This includes recognizing the structural factors that perpetuate disparities in education, healthcare, and economic opportunities among different groups. Initiatives such as affirmative action and social welfare programs aim to rectify these imbalances.
- Historical Context: Modern discussions take into account the historical context of injustices. Colonization, for instance, left deep scars on India’s social, economic, and cultural fabric. Recognizing this history is crucial for understanding the root causes of current disparities and for formulating effective solutions.
- Caste-Based Discrimination: The caste system has been a long-standing source of social injustice in India. Modern discussions center on dismantling the entrenched caste-based discrimination that persists despite legal efforts to eradicate it. Affirmative action policies, such as reservations in education and government jobs for historically marginalized groups, are part of these efforts.
- Religious and Communal Harmony: India’s diversity extends to its religious and cultural landscape, but it has also been the site of religious conflicts and communal tensions. Modern discussions emphasize promoting religious tolerance, understanding, and harmony to address past and present injustices related to religious discrimination and violence.
- Reparative Justice: Reparations for historical injustices are discussed in various contexts, such as addressing the economic losses suffered during colonization or compensating victims of communal violence. These discussions aim to provide redress for past wrongs and promote healing within affected communities.
- Legal and Policy Frameworks: Modern discussions often involve the development of legal and policy frameworks to address historical injustices. Land reforms, anti-discrimination laws, and initiatives to promote inclusive education are examples of strategies aimed at rectifying historical imbalances.
- Public Dialogue and Awareness: Open discussions and public awareness campaigns play a significant role in addressing historical injustices. Platforms for dialogue allow individuals and communities to share their experiences, foster empathy, and build support for corrective measures.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while Socrates’ concept of justice focused on individual virtue and harmony of the soul, modern discussions on addressing historical injustices in India encompass a much broader range of considerations. These discussions acknowledge systemic inequities, historical context, and the need to address various forms of discrimination and inequality. The goal is to create a more just and inclusive society by implementing comprehensive strategies that go beyond individual virtue and extend to systemic reforms and reparative measures.
Join our Official Telegram Channel HERE
Please subscribe to Our podcast channel HERE
Subscribe to our YouTube ChannelHERE
Follow our Twitter Account HERE
Follow our Instagram ID HERE
Follow us on LinkedIn : HERE
