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Ethics in Business Communication

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97 views86 pages

Ethics in Business Communication

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VISION IAS

VALUES, CONCEPTS AND INDIAN THINKERS

Table of Contents
1. VALUES ..............................................................................................................................................3
1.1. Honesty .................................................................................................................................................... 3
1.2. Integrity .................................................................................................................................................... 3
1.3. Probity ...................................................................................................................................................... 3
1.4. Accountability ........................................................................................................................................... 3
1.5. Empathy ................................................................................................................................................... 4
1.6. Tolerance .................................................................................................................................................. 4
1.7. Selflessness ............................................................................................................................................... 4
1.8. Justice ....................................................................................................................................................... 4
1.9. Objectivity ................................................................................................................................................ 5
1.10. Leadership .............................................................................................................................................. 5
1.11. Dedication to Public Service .................................................................................................................... 5
1.12. Impartiality and Non-partisanship ........................................................................................................... 5

2. CONCEPTS ..........................................................................................................................................5
2.1. Attitude .................................................................................................................................................... 5
2.2. Social Influence and Persuasion ................................................................................................................ 6
2.3. Emotional Intelligence (EI) ........................................................................................................................ 6
2.4. Social Intelligence (SI) ............................................................................................................................... 6

3. INDIAN THINKERS ..............................................................................................................................7

Copyright © by Vision IAS

All rights are reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted
in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior
permission of Vision IAS.

1
2
1. VALUES
1.1. Honesty

• Meaning: Speaking and acting truthfully, more than not lying, deceiving, stealing, or cheating. It
involves showing respect towards others and having self-awareness.
• Importance: Foundation for trust, key in social relationships.
Classical Ethical Frameworks:
• Aristotelian virtue ethics: Honesty as a virtue, balancing between too little and too much honesty.
• Consequentialism: Honesty depends on situations and outcomes.
• Deontology: Immanuel Kant emphasizes honesty as an absolute moral obligation.
Examples:
• Anil Swarup: Implemented transparent e-auction system for coal block allocations.
• Sachin Tendulkar: Walked off the field voluntarily during the 2011 ICC World Cup, exemplifying
sportsmanship.

1.2. Integrity

• Meaning: Practice of being honest and adhering to one's values and principles.
• Traits:
o Honesty / Truthfulness
o Fairness
o Decency / Respectfulness
o Adherence to moral principles
o Helpful
o Responsibility / Trustworthiness
Examples:
• Shaheed Hemu Kalani: Resisted torture by the British, not revealing associates.
• Mahatma Gandhi: Withdrew Non-cooperation Movement after Chauri-Chaura incident, adhering to
non-violence.

1.3. Probity

• Meaning: Quality of having strong moral principles, integrity, honesty, decency.

• Importance: Essential for efficient and effective governance and socio-economic development.
Examples:
• Jacinda Ardern: Resigned as New Zealand PM, prioritizing the country's needs.
• Shanmugam Manjunath: Fought against petrol adulteration, exemplifying courage and probity.

1.4. Accountability

• Meaning: Being answerable for a system, its behavior, and impacts.

• Forms:
o Vertical Accountability: Principal-agent relationship (e.g., elections).
o Horizontal Accountability: Network of institutions ensuring mutual control.
o Social Accountability: Civil society organizations and media checking public sector officials.

3
Examples:
• Morarji Desai: Regular press conferences, promoting transparency.
• Dr. Vikram Sarabhai: Took accountability for ISRO's first space flight failure.

1.5. Empathy

• Meaning: Ability to sense and imagine others' emotions.

• Types:
o Affective Empathy: Sensations and feelings in response to others’ emotions.
o Cognitive Empathy: Identifying and understanding others' emotions.
Examples:
• C F Andrews (Deenbandhu): Fought British alongside Mahatma Gandhi, showing empathy towards
indentured labor.
• Ayushman Bharat Scheme: Empathetic policymaking, providing health coverage to over 12 crore
families.

1.6. Tolerance

1. Meaning: Fair and permissive attitude towards differing opinions, practices, etc.
2. Importance: Fosters harmony and social cohesion in a pluralistic society.
Examples:
• Nelson Mandela: Leadership characterized by tolerance and reconciliation post-apartheid.
• Supreme Court of India: Recognition of 'Third-Gender' and decriminalization of consensual same-sex
relationships.

1.7. Selflessness

• Meaning: Balanced attitude between self and others' needs.

• Importance in Governance: Acting solely in the public interest, placing public needs ahead of
personal needs.
Examples:
• Satyendra Dubey: Exposed corruption, sacrificing his life.
• Tukaram Omble: Showed courage during 26/11 Mumbai attacks, sacrificing his life.

1.8. Justice

• Meaning: Fairness or equal treatment.

• Forms:
o Social Justice: Equal opportunities irrespective of race, gender, etc.
o Distributive Justice: Equitable allocation of assets.
o Retributive Justice: Punishment of wrongdoers proportionately.
Examples:
• Sagarmal Gopa: Stood for justice against Jaisalmer's ruler's atrocities.
• P Narhari: Made Gwalior District barrier-free, aiding persons with disabilities.

4
1.9. Objectivity

• Meaning: Acting impartially, fairly, and on merit without bias.

• Importance in Civil Services: Upholds rule of law, reason, merit, and accepted standards.
Examples:
• POSHAN Abhiyan: Evidence-based decision-making using POSHAN Tracker.
• Digital portals (PROBITY, SPARROW, SOLVE): Assessing performance of Central Government
officers.

1.10. Leadership

• Meaning: Successfully marshaling collaborators to achieve ends, stemming from social influence
rather than authority or power.
• Importance: Critical for good governance, ensuring participation, transparency, and accountability.
Examples:
• Dr. Verghese Kurien: Father of India’s White Revolution, established Amul cooperative.
• E. Sreedharan: Known as "Metro Man of India," effective project management and engineering
leadership.

1.11. Dedication to Public Service

• Meaning: Willingness to give time and energy, putting public interests first.
• Importance: Requires high spirit of service and sacrifice to fulfill public aspirations.
Examples:
• Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam: Contributions to missile and nuclear programmes.
• Dr. M S Swaminathan: Green Revolution and National Food Guarantee Act recommendations.

1.12. Impartiality and Non-partisanship

• Meaning: Not supporting a group over others, remaining apolitical in civil service.
• Importance: Ensures fair service to political executives, maintains public confidence.
Examples:
• T. N. Seshan: Reforms as Chief Election Commissioner ensuring non-partisan elections.
• Nandan Nilekani: Focused on technological and administrative aspects of Aadhaar, maintaining non-
partisanship.

2. CONCEPTS
2.1. Attitude

• Meaning: Predisposition to respond positively or negatively towards an idea, object, person, or

situation.
• Factors:
o Classical conditioning: Learning through repeated pairings.
o Instrumental conditioning: Learning from rewards and punishments.
o Cognitive appraisals: Evaluating information and experiences.

5
o Observational learning: Learning through observing others.
o Persuasions: Deliberate attempts to change attitudes.
Functions:
• Knowledge, Utilitarian, Ego-defense, Value-expression

2.2. Social Influence and Persuasion

• Meaning: Adapting opinions or behaviors through social interactions.

• Types: Compliance, Identification, Internalization.
• Modes of Persuasion: Source credibility, message content, audience characteristics, reciprocity,
social proof, timing, and context.

2.3. Emotional Intelligence (EI)

• Meaning: Identifying, comprehending, and managing emotions of self and others.

• Significance: Leadership effectiveness, Decision-making, Communication, Conflict resolution,
Public engagement
Examples:
• Jacinda Ardern: Response to Christchurch mosque shootings.
• GST implementation: Balancing emotional and rational aspects.
• T.N. Seshan: Improved election integrity.

2.4. Social Intelligence (SI)

• Meaning: Understanding and managing interpersonal relationships.

• Facets:
o Social awareness: Primal empathy, attunement, empathic accuracy, social cognition.
o Social facility: Synchrony, self-presentation, influence, concern.

6
3. INDIAN THINKERS

7
8
Copyright © by Vision IAS
All rights are reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted
in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior
permission of Vision IAS.

9
[Link] 8468022022

ETHICS
Table of Contents
1. VALUES AND CONCEPTS _____________ 3 4.2. Bare Necessities and Scarce Resources 30
1.1. Honesty ___________________________ 3 4.3. Happiness _______________________ 32
1.2. Integrity ___________________________ 3 4.4. Consumerism _____________________ 33
1.3. Probity ____________________________ 4 4.5. Use of Unfair Means (Cheating) in Public
1.4. Accountability ______________________ 4 Examination _________________________ 34
1.5. Empathy __________________________ 5 4.6. Individual Social Responsibility (ISR) __ 36
1.6. Tolerance__________________________ 6 4.7. Good Samaritans __________________ 37
1.7. Selflessness ________________________ 7 4.8. Ethics of Influencer Endorsements ____ 39
1.8. Justice ____________________________ 7 5. ETHICS AND BUSINESS ______________ 41
1.9. Objectivity _________________________ 8 5.1. Compassionate Capitalism __________ 41
1.10. Leadership ________________________ 9 5.2. Ethics of Food Service and Safety _____ 42
1.11. Dedication to Public Service _________10 5.3. Ethics and Entrepreneurship ________ 44
1.12. Impartiality and Non-partisanship____10 5.4. Labour Ethics and Long Work Hours __ 45
1.13. Attitude _________________________11 6. ETHICS AND MEDIA ________________ 47
1.14. Social Influence and Persuasion______13 6.1. Media Ethics and Self-Regulation _____ 47
1.15. Emotional Intelligence _____________15 6.2. Ethical Use of Social Media Platforms _ 48
2. ETHICAL CONCERNS AND DILEMMAS IN 6.3. Ethics of Media Trial _______________ 49
MAINS 365 – ETHICS

GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS17 6.4 Social Media and Civil Servants _______ 50
2.1. Ethics of Lawmakers ________________17 7. MISCELLANEOUS __________________ 53
2.2. Political Ethics and Conflict of Interest _18 7.1. Ethics of War _____________________ 53
2.3. Bhagavad Gita and Learnings for 7.2. Ethics of Global Governance _________ 54
Administrative Ethics ___________________19 7.3. Ethics of Punishment ______________ 55
2.4. Knowledge without Character ________20 7.4. Buddha's Teachings ________________ 56
3. ETHICS AND TECHNOLOGY __________ 22 7.5. Ethics in Sports ___________________ 57
3.1. Ethics of Artificial Intelligence ________22 7.6 Beyond Bites: Ethical Considerations in Stray
3.2. AI and Human Rights _______________23 Dogs Control _________________________ 60
3.3. AI and Creativity ___________________25 7.7. Ethics and Climate Change __________ 62
3.4. Ethics of Online Gaming _____________26 7.8. Cognitive Dissonance ______________ 63
3.5. Religious Beliefs and Evolving Scientific 8. TEST YOUR LEARNING ______________ 66
Advancements ________________________27 9. APPENDIX: PERSONALITIES- THEIR ETHICAL
4. ETHICS AND SOCIETY _______________ 29 IDEAS AND QUOTES __________________ 72
4.1. Ethics of Nudge ____________________29

Copyright © by Vision IAS

All rights are reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or
transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise,
without prior permission of Vision IAS.

MAINS 365 – ETHICS

1. VALUES AND CONCEPTS

1.1. HONESTY
MAINS 365 – ETHICS

1.2. INTEGRITY

1.3. PROBITY

MAINS 365 – ETHICS

1.4. ACCOUNTABILITY

1.5. EMPATHY
MAINS 365 – ETHICS

1.6. TOLERANCE

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1.7. SELFLESSNESS
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1.8. JUSTICE

1.9. OBJECTIVITY

MAINS 365 – ETHICS

1.10. LEADERSHIP
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1.11. DEDICATION TO PUBLIC SERVICE

MAINS 365 – ETHICS

1.12. IMPARTIALITY AND NON-PARTISANSHIP

1.13. ATTITUDE
MAINS 365 – ETHICS

MAINS 365 – ETHICS

1.14. SOCIAL INFLUENCE AND PERSUASION

MAINS 365 – ETHICS

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1.15. EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE

MAINS 365 – ETHICS

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2. ETHICAL CONCERNS AND DILEMMAS IN

GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS
2.1. ETHICS OF LAWMAKERS
Introduction
In various instances, concerns have been raised over the conduct of lawmakers in the Indian political system.
Such instances include the ‘Cash for Query’ probe by the Ethics Committee of Parliament and the suspension
of some lawmakers for unruly conduct in the House.
Stakeholders and their Role/Responsibilities
Stakeholders Role Responsibility
Citizen/Voters Electing lawmakers and Being informed voters, participating in the democratic
holding them accountable. process, and advocating for ethical behaviour from their
elected representatives.
Political Selecting and endorsing Ensuring candidates adhere to ethical standards and
Parties candidates. promote a culture of integrity.
Media Informing the public and Reporting accurately and objectively, holding lawmakers
shaping public opinion about accountable through investigative journalism, and
lawmakers and their actions. avoiding sensationalism or biased reporting.
Judiciary Interpreting and upholding the Ensuring that legal processes are followed and
law, providing a check on adjudicating cases of corruption or ethical violations.
MAINS 365 – ETHICS

actions of lawmakers.
Election Conducting free and fair Monitoring election campaigns, enforcing electoral
Commission elections rules, and ensuring that candidates adhere to ethical
standards.
Factors causing the decline in ethical values in Law makers
• Compromised Institutional Integrity: Instances of bribery, embezzlement, and other forms of corruption
erode public trust. E.g., Commonwealth Games scam, etc.
• Criminalisation of politics: Vohra Committee (1995) pointed out the nexus between criminal gangs,
police, bureaucracy and politicians.
• Limitations of the Criminal Justice System: Existing criminal justice system faces challenges in
addressing the activities of organized crime, economic offences, etc.
• Conflict of Interest. For instance, a lawmaker with business interests that stands to gain significantly from
proposed changes in environmental regulations will showcase a clear conflict of interest.
• Other factors: Nepotism and Dynastic Politics, Influence of interest groups (Powerful interest groups,
whether business or social, exert undue influence on lawmakers) etc.
Way Forward
• Strengthening legal measures: Enhancing the legal provisions with protection of whistleblowers and
implementing stringent anti-corruption laws with severe penalties.
• Code of conduct: The Code could help evolve certain standard norms of behaviour which will everyone
encourage self-discipline among lawmakers.
• Political party reforms: Election commission has directed parties to have formal and periodic election of
office-bearers as part of the way it functions as an association.
• Electoral reforms: Measures minimising the role of money power in elections through measures like
revision of ceiling on election expenses, etc.
• Effective Enforcement of Penalties: The House can impose penalties such as censure; suspension from
the House for a specific period or termination of its membership.

2.2. POLITICAL ETHICS AND CONFLICT OF INTEREST

Introduction
Recently, a Calcutta High Court judge and a senior IPS officer in West Bengal resigned from their posts and
joined respective political parties. This has once again raised questions about issue of Conflict of Interest and
independent functioning of constitutional authorities and bureaucracy.
Stakeholders’ and Roles/Interests
Stakeholders Role/ Interest
Judges/ Bureaucrats Exercise of their individual rights, pursuit of political aspirations, desire for public
service, etc.
Political Parties Gaining experienced individuals with governance knowledge, enhancing
credibility by leveraging public image of judges/ bureaucrats, etc.
Citizen/Civil Society Fair and impartial justice system, politically neutral bureaucracy, safeguarding

MAINS 365 – ETHICS

their rights, etc.
Institutions (Judiciary/ Loss of public trust, protecting institutional integrity, etc.
Public Administration)
Government Effective implementation of its policies, ensuring credibility of institutions,
having independent policy making capability, etc.
Ethical implications of judges and bureaucrats joining politics
• Violation of constitutional principles: Violation of the principle of Separation of Power (between
executive and judiciary) which checks the concentration of power.
• Conflict of interest: Judges or bureaucrats with political aspirations might be swayed by political
considerations while performing their official duties, compromising their autonomy.
• Judicial Impartiality: Credibility of the judiciary hinges on public perception of fairness and impartiality.
Post-retirement affiliation with a political party creates a strong perception of bias regardless of the
judge’s actual intentions.
• Bureaucratic neutrality: Political affiliations of public servants can lead to politicization of public
services and distortions in implementation of policies.
Ethical Principles guiding judiciary
• Judiciary is
guided by
constitutional
provisions
(Third
Schedule,
performing
duties without
fear or favour,
affection or ill-will.
• Bangalore Principles of Judicial Conduct (2002) intends to establish standards for ethical conduct.

Way Forward
• Cooling-off Period: There should be at least two years cooling period between retirement and joining
politics/other appointments.
o The Election Commission had in 2012 recommended to the Union government to provide for a
cooling-off period for top bureaucrats. However, the Government had rejected this recommendation.
ü Presently, bureaucrats serving in All India Services and Central Service Group ‘A’ can join any
commercial establishment after a cooling-off period of one year. (Central Civil Services
(Pension) Rules, 2021).
o The Supreme Court had left it for the legislature to determine whether a cooling-off period is required
for bureaucrats.
• Code of Ethics for bureaucrats: Prescribe a Code of Ethics, as recommended by the Second
Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC - II).
• Resolving conflict of Interest: It can be ensured through recusal, divestiture, and disclosure.
o Netherlands regulates conflict of interest through codes of conduct or codes of standards while
France regulates it through mix of laws and codes.

2.3. BHAGAVAD GITA AND LEARNINGS FOR ADMINISTRATIVE ETHICS

Introduction
Recently, the Gujarat government announced that the Bhagavad Gita will be a part of the school syllabus for
Classes 6 to 12 across the state from the academic year 2022-23.
The principles and ideas of ethical conduct propagated by the scripture are useful not only for school education
MAINS 365 – ETHICS

but in other areas such as business ethics, and medical ethics among others. The domain of its applicability
also includes Administrative Ethics providing guidance to systems and administrators alike.
Ethical issues in administration and governance
• Corruption,
i.e., abuse of
authority and
squandering of
public money.
E.g., India still
ranks at 85th in
Corruption
Perception
Index (CPI).
• Lack of Objectivity in Decision Making due to political interference and continuity of Hegelian
perspective, i.e., they represent the universal interest of the society.
o It leads to issues like slowness, complicatifon of procedures, public distrust, ponderousness, etc.
• Ineffective Leadership or poor supervision from higher authorities in ensuring follow up of Constitutional
values or a minimal Code of Conduct by all subordinates.
• Lack of accessibility and responsiveness as the authority is seen as a ruler rather than one in public
service.
• Lack of Transparency and Accountability despite laws like the Right to Information (RTI).
Applications of Bhagavad Gita to the system of administration and governance
The teachings of the Bhagavad Gita can play an important role towards effective, accountable, and inclusive
governance by guiding public servants on ethical behaviour or conduct. It can help in overcoming decision-
making issues and creating an ethical workplace through:
• Integrity in actions: Bhagavad Gita promotes Nishkama Karma (detached involvement) over Sakama
Karma (attached involvement).

o Nishkama Karma or selfless actions lead to integrity by removing attachments, egoism, or actions with
personal gain in mind. It also helps in resolving Ethical Dilemmas between Self-interest and Public
Benefit.
• Objectivity in Decision Making: Bhagavad Gita promotes Lok Samgraha, i.e., holding all together.
o It inspires universal welfare (inclusive and sustainable development) through firmness of mind and
preference for Shreya over Preya, i.e., Goodness or Objectivity over pleasure or happiness.
• Leadership Development: Bhagavad Gita stresses on the performance of Svadharma, i.e., own duty or
dharma.
o When leadership performs its duties in a righteous way, subordinates also recognize and revere the
leadership and follow the path of action.
• Motivation: Bhagavad Gita focuses on the mind and distinguishes between subconscious and conscious
actions to promote Sattva and divinity in all, removing jealousy and creating motivation for work.
• Bhagavad Gita can help administrators develop various qualities like-
o Emotional Intelligence: Bhagavad Gita calls for Sthitaprajna, i.e., to acquire equanimity or calmness
with firm resolve.
o Compassion (Karuna): Sattva and purification of mind helps administrators in overcoming prejudices
through clarity of mind.

MAINS 365 – ETHICS

2.4. KNOWLEDGE WITHOUT CHARACTER
Introduction
‘Dark web used for
activities like
illegal drug
trafficking’,
‘Deadly weapons
are being used in
Ukraine-Russia,
these instances
alongside
countless others
highlight how Knowledge without Character (moral values) can be detrimental. Only intellectual development
without simultaneous internal character development rarely contributes to the welfare of society.
Stakeholders and their Interest
Stakeholders Interest
Citizen/Individuals/ • They always want that knowledge should be used for the welfare of all.
Society Every action should be toward ‘Sarve jana sukhino bhavantu (Let everyone
be happy)’.
State/Governments • If knowledge will be used with character then everyone will prosper and it
will promote peace and stability in the society.

Institutions (Schools • Institutions aim to promote intellectual development along with

Research Institutes, etc.) imparting good characteristics in students/participants so that they
could be good citizens.
Ethical Issues /Concerns arising when Knowledge is used without Character
• Unjust Decision-Making: Lack of a sense of equality and empathy in character can lead to biased decision-
making, where personal prejudices or self-interest influence choices rather than fair assessments.
o For instance, rising radicalism and discrimination in the society.
• Promotes Unethical Activities: If knowledge is used with ulterior motives, then it may give rise to
tendencies of intolerance, racism, xenophobia, stereotyping, etc.
• Blurredness between right Means and End: If knowledge is only used for self-interest, then a person
focuses only on achieving the end (objective) and does not pay much attention towards the means (way).
o E.g., Use of scientific advancements in nuclear field for development of nuclear weapons to gain
geostrategic edge.
• Lack of Accountability: An authorised/leading person in an organisation or government will not be
accountable to the people for their actions if they lack key building blocks of a character such as respect
for coworkers etc.
Way Forward
• Intertwining knowledge with character: Focus of the national curriculum, and pedagogical processes
should be on the overall personality development of individuals (including both intellectual and Knowledge).
• Developing critical thinking and wisdom: Family members and peer groups have to play a constructive
role in it. It can be done by critically evaluating information and encouraging questioning.
MAINS 365 – ETHICS

• Promote Emotional Intelligence: E.g., schools and parents can plan social awareness drives such as
visiting slums, orphanages, old-age homes etc.
• Transforming self-interest-oriented and narrow mindset: E.g. how India is promoting the idea of
Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam implying ‘the world is one family’.

3. ETHICS AND TECHNOLOGY

3.1. ETHICS OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
Introduction
The assimilation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in various parts of our life has been creating innumerable dilemmas.
In this context, UNESCO has been deliberating on how AI should be used by governments and tech companies.
Key stakeholders and their interests
Stakeholders Interests
Users Use the AI system directly or indirectly. Concerned about the privacy of their data,
the accuracy of the system's predictions and the potential for the system’s
biasedness.
Developers Create and maintain the AI system. Concerned about the cost of developing and
deploying AI systems and the security of the systems.
Investors Provide financial support for the development of the AI system.
State and Regulators Set laws and regulations governing the development and use of AI systems.
Civil Society Advocate for the responsible development and use of AI systems.
Organizations (CSOs)
Ethical issues associated with AI
• Privacy intrusion & Surveillance: There is a risk of Data Surveillance, theft, privacy breaches and misuse

MAINS 365 – ETHICS

of personal data if proper safeguards are not in place.
o For example, face recognition in photos and videos using AI-based image processing will aid in the
profiling of individuals.
• Unemployment: AI automation has the potential to disrupt industries and lead to job losses.
• Manipulation and Deepfakes: AI can be used to create realistic synthetic media, such as Deepfake videos
or audio impersonations, which can be used for malicious purposes like spreading misinformation.
• Opacity: The decisions taken by the AI system are not transparent. This opacity raises concerns about
accountability, probity and most importantly fuels distrust among people.
• Biasedness: If the training data contains biases related to race, gender, etc., the AI system may perpetuate
and amplify these biases, resulting in unfair treatment and discrimination.
o For example, the trial applications developed by predictive policing tend to profile people from certain
communities as potential threats (i.e., racist or casteist robots).
Potential Solutions
193 countries at UNESCO have collectively finalized the following design principles for the ethical use of AI-
• Proportionality and Do No Harm: The use of AI should not infringe upon human rights.
• Fairness and non-discrimination: AI actors should promote social justice and safeguard fairness and non-
discrimination of any kind in compliance with international law.
• Continuous assessment of the human, social, cultural, economic and environmental impact of AI
technologies.
• Right to Privacy, and Data Protection including societal and ethical considerations of their use.
• Human oversight and determination for attributing the ethical and legal responsibility.
• Multi-stakeholder, adaptive governance and collaboration for enabling the benefits to be shared by all.

3.2. AI AND HUMAN RIGHTS

Introduction
Freedom on the Net, an annual study of human rights online, states that conditions for human rights online are
deteriorating. The study highlights that AI technologies have the potential to not only promote but also infringe
upon human rights. An understanding of a delicate balance between them is the need of the hour.
Stakeholders and their Interests
Stakeholders Interests
Governments • Interests in national security, law enforcement, and public administration.
They also want to foster innovation and economic growth in the AI sector.
Users of AI (citizens) • Concerned with ensuring that AI technologies are used in ways that respect
fundamental rights, such as privacy, freedom of expression, and protection
MAINS 365 – ETHICS

from discrimination.
Civil Society and • To raise awareness of human rights issues and to hold governments and
Activists corporations accountable for any violations.
AI Developers and • Aim to advance their field, solve complex problems, and may be
Engineers concerned with issues like algorithmic bias and fairness.
International • International bodies, such as the United Nations, have interests in global
Organizations peace, security, and development.
Does AI harm human rights?
• Misinformation/ disinformation: Platform algorithms have promoted incendiary content over reliable
information.
o e.g., Investigations showed YouTube's AI-driven Recommendation Algorithm promoted controversial,
extreme, or misleading content over more reliable information.
• Discrimination: Algorithmic systems can perpetuate bias built into their training data and exacerbate
long-standing discrimination done on the basis of race, gender, caste etc.
o e.g., Controversy surrounding Amazon’s AI-based hiring tool (2014-15) which demonstrated significant
gender-biases.
• Violation of Right to privacy: Big-data surveillance systems aggregate and analyze massive amounts of
personal data. It has potential to compromise the free speech.
o e.g., Meta’s AI-powered facial recognition system which automatically identified and tagged people in
photos uploaded to the platform.
• Association and assembly: AI systems with abilities like facial recognition can identify and track potential
protesters, allowing state forces to arrest and retaliate against them.
• Election interference: Harnessing AI to augment disinformation campaigns, creating deep fakes to create
doubt, etc.
o e.g., Use of automated Twitter bot accounts to spread disinformation during various elections globally,
including the 2016 U.S. election and the 2017 French election.

Does AI strengthen Human rights?

• Right to equality: AI algorithms can be designed to reduce biases in decision-making processes.
o e.g., LinkedIn's AI-driven Job Matching Algorithm which analyzes job postings for gender-coded
language and suggests more neutral alternatives to recruiters.
• Privacy Protection: AI technologies can be used to develop advanced privacy protection mechanisms,
including secure data encryption, secure communication etc.
• Ensuring Accountability: For example, facial recognition technology can be used to document and expose
police brutality, ensuring transparency and accountability.
• Protecting collective rights by enabling Governance: For example-
o Predictive Policing: AI can help law enforcement agencies allocate resources more effectively,
proactive crime prevention, and objective decision-making.
ü Although, there are concerns about the misuse of predictive policing such as socio-economic
profiling, etc.
Conclusion
Regulations covering AI should embed human rights principles of legality, necessity, and proportionality.
Further, Public and Stakeholder Involvement should engage in open and inclusive dialogue with the public,
stakeholders, and experts to ensure that AI technologies respect and incorporate human rights.

MAINS 365 – ETHICS

3.3. AI AND CREATIVITY

Introduction
Recently, a music composer utilized Artificial Intelligence (AI) software to recreate the voices of deceased
singers. As AI becomes integrated into various artistic processes, questions arise regarding the ethical and legal
boundaries governing its use.

Ethical Issues
• Artistic Integrity: AI-generated content may raise concerns about preserving the authenticity and integrity
of artistic expression, particularly when it is difficult to discern between human-created and AI-generated
works.
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• Consent and Ownership: Questions arise regarding the rights of artists, creators, and participants involved
in AI-driven projects, including issues related to intellectual property, ownership, and consent for using
personal data or creative contributions.
• Preservation vs. Exploitation: While AI can revive historical voices or artistic styles, ethical considerations
arise concerning whether such efforts aim to preserve cultural heritage or exploit the identities and legacies
of individuals for commercial gain.
• Technological determinism and cognitive justice: Widespread adoption of AI in creative industries may
have implications for human creativity and innovation, potentially leading to homogenization, loss of
diversity, or reliance on formulaic approaches.
• Regulatory Oversight: The lack of regulatory measures presents challenges in safeguarding privacy and
preventing discrimination, necessitating compliance, enforcement, and adaptation to evolving
technologies.
Way Forward
• Ensure transparency and disclosure in AI-driven creative processes, including clear attribution of AI-
generated content and obtaining informed consent from all involved parties.
• Uphold the authenticity and integrity of artistic expression, acknowledging the contributions of human
creators and respecting their rights to control and be properly credited for their work.
• Develop ethical guidelines and best practices for the ethical use of AI in creative endeavours, addressing
issues such as consent, ownership, fairness, and accountability.
• Advocate for regulatory oversight and governance mechanisms to ensure compliance with ethical
standards and protect the rights and interests of individuals involved in AI-driven creative projects.
• Empower education and awareness to enhance understanding of AI ethics among all stakeholders,
enabling informed decision-making and advocacy for ethical practices in the creative industries.

3.4. ETHICS OF ONLINE GAMING

Introduction
Recently, the online gaming industry signed a voluntary ‘Code of Ethics for Online Gaming Intermediaries’ at
the Indian Gaming Convention (IGC), organized by the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI).
About Code of Ethics for Online Gaming Intermediaries (OGI)
• Signed by the Federation of Indian Fantasy Sports (FIFS), the E-Gaming Federation (EGF), and the All-
India Gaming Federation (AIGF), which together account for a majority of the gaming industry in India.
o Adherence to this Code is voluntary.
• Objectives
o Protect the interests of consumers and enable them to make informed choices.
o Create a healthy environment and ingrains a culture of responsible gaming.
o Elevate the industry standard and bring uniformity in the business practices of signatories.

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Stakeholders and their Interests
Stakeholders Interests
Game developers • Profitability, Increasing user base, Gaining popularity, etc.
Gamers • Entertainment, Fair play, Data privacy and security, Positive gaming
environment etc.
Regulatory bodies • Consumer protection, Promoting ethical gaming environment, Promote
fair competition etc.
Advertisers/Sponsors • Maximising revenue, Brand visibility, Promoting fair advertising
standards, etc.
Content creators/Streamers • Monetization, Sponsorships, Gaining influence etc.

Key Principles Outlined in Code to overcome these concerns

• Responsible Gaming: OGI will advise their users to follow responsible gaming practices and take necessary
precautions while playing.
o OGI will allow users an option to set time or spend limits for themselves.
• Safeguards for Minors (Age Gating): All necessary safeguards to protect minors such as displaying the
‘18/18+ only’ signage.
• Fair Gaming: OGI shall publish on their website/platforms terms and conditions, privacy policy, etc.

o Anti-deception measures will ensure that games or contests are played only between real persons and
against automated systems such as bots.
• Financial Safeguards: Detect and prevent the use of its platform for money laundering and other illegal
activities.
Way Forward
• Consumer protection: Applying standard consumer protection measures to evaluate the fairness of
online gaming platforms such as in-game purchases.
o One method that can be employed is the test of acceptable quality (i.e., meeting the reasonable
expectation of utility and value).
• Inclusiveness: Game developers should strive to create inclusive narratives and characters that resonate
with a wide range of players, regardless of their gender, ethnicity, or background.
• Policy measures: Implementing policies which focus on age verification, cyber-security measures, and
responsible gaming tools.
• Fostering Responsible Advertising and Marketing: Regulations should address predatory marketing
practices and ensure transparency in loot box mechanics and in-app purchases.
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3.5. RELIGIOUS BELIEFS AND EVOLVING SCIENTIFIC ADVANCEMENTS

Introduction
The relationship between religion and science is quite dynamic. Interaction between them has long been a
source of tension, debate, and often, conflict. Both provide different approaches to understanding the world
and reality. Religious ideas are often challenged by new realms of knowledge and scientific advancements. This
dichotomy begs a question; can religious beliefs coexist harmoniously with scientific progress?
Scientific Advancements Challenging Religious Belief
• Life and death: The very notion of bringing life into this world is being challenged by the advancement in the
sphere of biotechnology.
o E.g., Genome editing can be used to change a baby’s genetic characteristics.
• Evolution: The theory of evolution by Charles Darwin (promoted the idea of Natural Selection) discredits
several religious beliefs about the origins and development of human life on Earth.
• Space: Big Bang theory suggests that the universe originated from a singular event approximately 13.7 billion
years ago.
o It is contrary to religious belief which propagates different theories regarding the formation of the
Universe, particularly Earth.
Scientific Enquiry: Limitation and Boundaries
• Limitations of Empirical Evidence: Empirical evidence have led to several new discoveries and inventions.
However, there are certain limitations in it.
o For instance, various human-specific elements such as consciousness, spirituality etc. cannot be
empirically measured or compared by scientific enquiry.
• Ethics and conduct are not the primary focus: Scientific developments may provide information about the
cause or consequences of certain actions or behaviours, but they cannot explain moral values or ethical
principles associated with them.

o Advancements in the sphere of biotechnology have also raised complex ethical questions about the
boundaries of genetic engineering and its potential implications for human evolution and the natural
order.
o Also, scientific developments are not able to answer questions or mysteries such as the nature of the
soul, the existence of an afterlife, etc.
Way Forward: Reconciling Faith and Reason
• Adopting Intellectual Humility: It involves recognizing that there are gaps in one's knowledge and that one's
current beliefs might be incorrect.
o Rigidity or intolerance on either side can stifle intellectual growth and impede the pursuit of truth.
• Dialogue and Cooperation: It can be guided by the humanistic principles of inclusivity, respect for
diversity, and the preservation of cultural heritage.
o Scientific community must approach religious beliefs with cultural sensitivity and an appreciation for
their profound impact on individuals and societies.
ü For instance, the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle, while revered for his contributions to
scientific thought, also believed in the existence of an "Unmoved Mover" – a concept that aligned
with the notion of a divine creator.
o Religious institutions should not dismiss scientific findings outrightly, they should explore opportunities
for reinterpreting religious texts and traditions in light of new evidence.
• Developing Critical Minds: A balanced and nuanced exploration of religious beliefs and scientific
advancements in curricula, educators can equip students with the critical thinking skills.

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4. ETHICS AND SOCIETY

4.1. ETHICS OF NUDGE
Introduction
Recently, Haryana government launched the Pran Vayu Devta Pension Scheme, offering pension to trees
aged 75 years or older located on the property of the state’s residents. The scheme aims at nudging the
residents towards conserving and protecting aging trees and the environment.
What is a Nudge?
• An intervention that gently steers individuals towards a desired action. It is an aspect of the choice
architecture that alters people’s behaviour without forbidding any options or significantly changing their
economic incentives.
• Nudge policies gently steer people towards desirable behaviour even while preserving their liberty to
choose.
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Significance of Nudges
• Promote law and order: “Nudge Units” within government agencies have proven that simple nudges can
reduce law violations.
• More effective: When applied thoughtfully, nudges can be more effective than mandates, financial
incentives, etc.
• Evidence-based: Nudges are based on empirical research and evidence (ensuring credibility and
legitimacy).
• Diversity: Nudges can be tailored to accommodate diverse preferences, values, and cultural contexts,
allowing for the customization of interventions.

Key ethical concerns with nudge

• Goals of the nudger: The potential impact of nudges depends upon the nudgers’ motives and who benefits
from the nudge.
• Behavioural exploitation: Nudging may exploit people’s irrationality. For instance, auto-enrolment in
savings schemes takes advantage of an individual’s inaction.
o Also, concerns of manipulation and lack of transparency are raised with nudges operating on a
subconscious level.
• Effects of nudges: Effects of nudges may relate to two aspects:

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o Effectiveness: A nudge does not stimulate reflection and so is less unlikely to create the knowledge,
dissonance, or evaluation required to change people’s beliefs, attitudes and behaviour in the long
term.
o Unintended effects: In some cases, a nudge may produce reactance (negative reaction due to
perception of choice restriction) or boomerang effect (reversal from follow-up of intended outcome).
Conclusion
Nudges should be transparent, not covert or hidden and should be consistent with values of people to be
nudged. Also, they should be culturally sensitive and consider the diversity of values, norms, and beliefs within
a population.

4.2. BARE NECESSITIES AND SCARCE RESOURCES

Introduction
Recently, the Supreme Court ordered all states and union territories to issue ration cards to 80 million migrants
and unorganized workers under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) 2013. They need ration cards to claim
government food grain, it is considered as a part of their basic need. However, Governments are not able to fulfill
basic needs of everyone due to scarce resources.
Stakeholders and their Role/Interest
Stakeholder Role/Interests
Individuals and • Recipients of essential resources and services.
Communities • Survival with good health and well-being.

Government • Policymaking for fulfilment of necessities.

• Regulating resource allocation.
• Ensuring economic growth and pursuing national goals.
Civil Society • Providers of aid and direct relief.
• Watchdog on government and corporate actions.
• Filling the gap in fulfilment of bare necessities.
Corporations • Influence over resource uses and employment opportunities.
• Fulfilling corporate social responsibility.
International • Promoting Universal human rights.
Organizations • Reducing inequalities and ensuring fulfillment of bare necessities across the
globe.
Why government is responsible for providing bare necessities?
• Social Contract Theory: Defines the relationship between government and citizens, for instance, citizens
restrict certain freedoms in exchange for public services and security. E.g. Public Goods such as clean
water.
• Constitutional mandate:
o For instance, Article 39(a) requires the State to secure for its citizens the right to an adequate means of
livelihood while Article 47 envisions raising level of nutrition and standard of living.
o Supreme Court has increased the scope of fundamental right. E.g., Right to life has been expanded
to include Right to Food.
• Expanding Nature of rights: Laws have evolved with the needs of the populace to increase the threshold of
bare necessities. For instance, Right to Education, Right to Information, etc.
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• International commitments: Aimed at fulfilling the basic needs of its citizens such as the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs).
What are the Ethical Approaches for fulfillment of bare necessities by the government?
• Justice-based approaches: Ensuring fair distribution of scarce resources.
• Utilitarianism: Prioritize resource allocation based on need and potential impact.
• Capability Approach: Prioritize enhancing individuals' capabilities to access education, healthcare,
and other essential services.
• Deontology: Focus on respecting and protecting human rights.
• Rights-Based Approach: Recognizes basic necessities as fundamental human rights.
Way Forward
• Global public goods: The COVID-19 pandemic, climate change—these global problems have shown the
need for public goods at the global level.
• Prioritization and efficient allocation: Encourage sustainable utilization along with equitable resource
allocation to the marginalized and vulnerable population as envisaged by Gandhiji’s Sarvodaya.
• Principles to define bare necessities: The principle of provisioning of public goods can be utilized to
identify the core set of basic necessities.
o For example, in Netherlands, bare necessities are defined on the basis of social justice, economic
efficiency, and consistency with democratic principles.
• Technological Innovation: Advancement and integration of technology in resource management will
ensure effective utilization.
• Convergence of Resources: Effective resource management requires collaboration between different
levels of government, Civil societies, etc.

4.3. HAPPINESS
Introduction
UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) in partnership with Gallup, and Oxford Wellbeing
Research Centre released the World Happiness Report (WHR) 2024. Finland topped in the rank for the seventh
successive year whereas India was ranked 126th out of 143 nations.
What is the Happiness?
There is no universally accepted definition of happiness, however, Ananda, or pure bliss, is an idea deeply
rooted in Indian culture. It represents a profound and transcendent state of happiness and well-being that goes
beyond fleeting pleasures and is considered the ultimate goal of human existence.

Different philosophical theories explaining happiness MAINS 365 – ETHICS

• Upanishadic tradition: Ananda is one of the three essential attributes of Brahman, the ultimate reality,
along with Sat (existence) and Chith (consciousness). These three aspects form the core of Brahman's
nature and are often expressed as "Sat-Chit-Ananda." (Taittiriya Upanishad)
• Epicureanism (Epicurus): Happiness is the complete absence of bodily and especially mental pains
(Ataraxia), including fear of the Gods and desires for anything other than the bare necessities of life.
• Buddhism: Happiness is achieved through the cessation of desires and the practice of mindfulness and
compassion (Karuna).
Happiness: A Multifaceted Pursuit with Far-Reaching Impacts
• Individual-Level Benefits of Happiness: Studies show that happiness can lead to a 12% boost in
productivity and is positively correlated with marital satisfaction.

• Social-Level Impacts: Happier communities also tend to exhibit higher levels of civic engagement and
trust in political institutions.
• National-Level Implications: Happiness is associated with political stability, the adoption of sustainable
practices, and economic growth.
o Countries that have integrated "Gross National Happiness" schemes into their development plans
have seen a boost in their economic performance.
• Global Ramifications: Global Peace Index suggests that countries with higher levels of happiness tend to
score higher on measures of peacefulness and international collaboration.
How do Ethical Values Cultivate Happiness?
• Altruism and Compassion: Ethical values such as altruism and compassion have been shown to increase
feelings of overall well-being.
• Integrity and Authenticity: By aligning our actions with our values, can foster a sense of happiness.
• Fairness and Justice: Fairness, justice, and equality help in creating a more harmonious and stable society.
• Self-Regulation and Discipline: Ethical values that encourage self-discipline, impulse control, and
emotional regulation can help people make healthier choices and manage stress more effectively.
• Positive Relationships: Ethical values that prioritize honesty, trust, and respect in our relationships tend to
foster more meaningful, supportive, and mutually fulfilling connections.
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4.4. CONSUMERISM
Introduction
In the last few decades, it has been noticed that the tendency of consumerism has been rising among people.
This tendency was more prevalent in the West, but now developing countries like India have come under its grip.
This has manifested in people running behind multiple gadgets, luxury accessories etc., which they might not
need, but desire.
Stakeholders and Their Interest
Stakeholders Interests
Consumer • Consumer always hopes for best and latest products and services.
• They expect that product owner will always share true information about the
product.
• The advertisement which manipulates them should be avoided.
Brands • Their main objective is to enhance their profit and increase the market
share of their products.
Advertising Companies • They work according to the demands of the brands.
• Adhering to the regulatory guidelines.
Government/Authorities • Their motive is to ensure welfare of all, both consumer and companies.
• They regulate market activities, but they can’t control consumerism when it
is done through legal means.
Environment • Resources should be utilized in the sustainable manner so that it does not
cause negative externalities on environment such as pollution.

Ethical values undermined by Consumerism

• Promotes undesirable means: For instance, advertisements (Beauty and cosmetic services/products)
claim that products will change user’s life.
• Mindless Consumption: In consumerism, person just thinks about buying products and creating
collections. This nudges they away from their actual needs. E.g. Doing shopping for their social media
uploads etc.
• Undermines Social Justice: It is noticed that societies which are driven by consumerism have huge
disparities; some people live lavish life while other’s basic needs are not fulfilled.
• Violates Environmental ethics: An increase in demand naturally increases production, in turn, leading to
change in land use, threaten biodiversity, generation of more waste and emission of pollutants.
Striking a balance between Needs and Desires
• Adopting Ethical Consumerism: It promotes practice of purchasing products and services in a way that
minimizes negative impact social and/or environmental consequences.
• Promoting corporate responsibility: Corporates should adopt ‘Stakeholder Capitalism’ instead of
‘Shareholder Capitalism’.
o Stakeholder capitalism proposes that corporations should serve the interests of all their
stakeholders, and not just shareholders.
• Regulating Advertisements/Influencers: Regulating authorities like Advertising Standards Council of
India (ASCI) should keep eye on the advertisements which try to manipulate consumer.
• Government/Authorities as Nudger: Government policies can nudge all stakeholders to follow sustainable
practices. E.g. Lifestyle for environment (LiFE).

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4.5. USE OF UNFAIR MEANS (CHEATING) IN PUBLIC EXAMINATION
Introduction
Parliament notified the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act (PEA), 2024. The Act deals with
unfair means adopted or offences committed by various entities involved in conducting public examinations by
the Central Government and its agencies.
Stakeholders and their interest /impact of cheating
Stakeholder Interest
Students • Increased knowledge.
• Secure employment prospects.
• Develop confidence and skills like time management through healthy
competition.
• Assess their learning.
Government and public • Select qualified officials.
authorities • Provide employment to youth.
• Transparency, fairness and credibility in the hiring process.
Society • Develop qualified human resources to serve society.
• Promote virtues like honesty, hard work etc.
Examination centres, • Monetary gains from conducting exams
service providers • Responsibility to conduct fair and transparent examinations

Ethical reasoning against cheating in examinations

• Violates Deontological Ethics: Students have adopted unfair means (cheating) for favorable ends (results).
• Against Utilitarianism: Cheating does not serve the Society and does not satisfy its interests as people who
are not capable of providing the needed knowledge and services are given positions.
• Violates Categorical Imperative: As per Immanuel Kant’s categorical imperative one should only act in
accordance with rules that could hold for everyone.
• Justice as Fairness Principle: Cheating violates human liberties and equality of opportunities and supports
unjust differences.
• Virtue Ethics: Virtues of truth, trust, and excellence of character do not support deception or dishonesty.
Reasons for cheating in examinations
• Ambiguous attitudes: Parents and teachers sometimes support a culture that is accepting of cheating,
such as allowing students to plagiarise.
• Competitive and societal pressures: In today's increasingly competitive atmosphere, doing well in exams
is becoming more and more important for survival.
• High-end technology: Cheaters have access to many devices helping in cheating like spy mics, Bluetooth
devices, and so on.
• Institutional apathy: Lack of proper monitoring systems to curb the use of unfair means and absence of
appropriate punishments further encourage cheating.
• Altruistic cheating: A person may use unfair means to benefit someone else, such as parents using
monetary means to help out their children in an examination, friends helping out each other etc.
How does PEA 2024 seek to prevent the use of unfair means in public examinations?
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• The Act lists 15 actions that amount to using unfair means in public examinations “for monetary or
wrongful gain,” like leakage of question paper/ answer key, directly or indirectly assisting the candidate,
etc.
• All offenses under the Act will be cognizable, non-bailable, and non-compoundable.
• An officer not below the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police or Assistant Commissioner of Police.
Way forward
• Technologically based solutions: New strategies need to be considered and employed to better manage
the advancement of technology use for illegitimate purposes.
o For instance, the government decided to set up a High-level National Technical Committee on Public
Examinations to develop protocols for insulating digital platforms.
• Social Influence and Persuasion: Value-based education and making use of role models should be used
to build negative attitudes towards cheating in society.
• Parental Involvement: Parents should support their children's learning without resorting to unethical
practices making the environment at home more ethical.

4.6. INDIVIDUAL SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (ISR)

Introduction
According to the EdelGive Hurun India Philanthropy
List 2023, 119 Indian business tycoons donated Rs
5 crore or more in FY23, together contributing Rs
8,445 crore for philanthropic activities. This
highlights the role Social Responsibility can play in
society.
What is Individual Social Responsibility (ISR)?
• In Social responsibility, organizations and
individuals strive to act for the greater good
and avoid causing harm to society and the
environment.
• ISR refers to the ethical obligations and actions
that individuals have towards their community
and society as a whole.
o ISR involves an individual being aware of
how personal actions influence the
community.
How ISR is different from Corporate Social

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Responsibility (CSR)?
Individual Social Responsibility (ISR) Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
Scale and • Individual decisions and voluntary • Corporate entities, Businesses and
Scope contributions. E.g., Philanthropic Large firms. E.g., Bottles for change
contributions. campaign of Bisleri.
Nature of • Often small and more personal such as • Typically, larger in scale and include
Contributions volunteering, etc. environmental sustainability
programs, etc.
Drivers • Typically, voluntary and driven by • Often due to legal requirements, but
personal values. also driven by ethical
considerations.
Need for ISR in India
• Predominance of Public Sector: Public sector has been carrying the weight of social sector spending,
accounting for 95% of total spending.
• Funding gap in Sustainable Development: India remains well short of NITI Aayog’s estimate (13% of GDP)
of total annual funding required to achieve SDGs.
• Resource redistribution: Multi-dimensional inequalities persist which require a considerable amount of
investment and efforts for resource redistribution.
• Environmental sustainability: ISR practices, such as sustainable living, waste reduction, etc., can
contribute in mitigating the impact of climate change.
• Technology development: ISR can enhance the role of technology, bridging the digital divide and promoting
financial inclusion.
Ethical Considerations when engaging in ISR
• Need of beneficiaries: ISR activities should be designed with the choice autonomy of beneficiaries in mind.
• Cultural Sensitivity: ISR activities should understand the cultural context and collaborate with local
communities for respectful engagement.

• Social interest vs. personal interest: Individuals are guided by their personal choices and values which
may not always be aligned with every group of people.
o Individuals in their ISR activities should understand the group composition and interests for whom the
activity is designed.
• Outcome-oriented: Individuals should strive to assess the impact of their contributions, adapting and
refining their approaches to maximize positive outcomes.
• Empowerment: Ethical ISR involves empowering communities to be self-reliant and fostering sustainable
solutions rather than perpetuating a cycle of dependency.

4.7. GOOD SAMARITANS

Introduction
In a case related to Good Samaritan, the Delhi High Court observed that a person who chooses to help a person
in distress should not be harassed for showing kindness. Further, HC said that helping an injured on a public
road/highway is the prime duty of everyone.
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Good Samaritan and Legal Provision in India

• Good Samaritan is a person who provides immediate assistance or emergency care to an injured person
without expectation of payment or reward, without any duty of care or special relationship.
• Guidelines for Protecting Good Samaritan: Issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways:-
o Good Samaritan may take an injured person to the nearest hospital and should be allowed to leave
immediately.
o He/she shall not be liable for any civil and criminal liability.
o In 2016, Supreme Court made these guidelines legally binding for all States and Union Territories.
• Additionally, Section 134A was inserted in Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 through Motor Vehicles (Amendment)
Act, 2019 providing protection to Good Samaritans.
Stakeholders and their Interests
Stakeholder Interests
Good Samaritan • Responsibility and duty to help living beings in distress.
• Expect that in lieu of helping others they will be not harassed by authorities or bear
prolonged legal formalities.
Person in need • Expect that every person shall show the qualities of Good Samaritan showering
compassion and empathy.
Government • Government benefits from the act of Good Samaritans as it leads to saving of life
of citizens.
o According to the Law Commission, 50% of the road accident victims could have
been saved if they had received care on time especially during the
ü Golden hour. Golden Hour refers to time period of one hour following an
accident.
• It will help government in reducing the road accidents by 50% by 2030.
Police/Other • Collect all the relevant information from the Good Samaritan.
authorities • Make effort that Good Samaritan are not harassed by involving them in
investigation, seeing them as suspect, forcing them to become eyewitness etc.

Issues which hinder acts of Good Samaritan

• Selfishness/unsympathetic attitude: In modern times, self-centric tendencies have increased. E.g. In a
recent accident, people were taking selfies and making videos instead of helping.
• Bystander apathy: Diffusion of responsibility that occurs when multiple people are present believing that
someone else will take the action.
• Unfavorable public judgment: Fear of unfavorable public judgement wherein people feel they would
be considered the culprit.
• Legal Issues: Fear of being trapped in legal matters creates resistance among people to come forward and
help others.
Way forward
The culture of Good Samaritan can be promoted in India through means such as rewards/recognition. Also, best
global practices can be adopted, for instance, Canadian states have provisions of no liability for emergency aid
by Samaritans unless gross negligence is observed.

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4.8. ETHICS OF INFLUENCER ENDORSEMENTS

Introduction
Celebrity Endorsements are a form of advertising that uses famous personality or celebrities or social
media influencers to persuade buyers as they are viewed as role models in a society. Centre has released the
endorsement guidelines for celebrities and social media influencers titled as the “Endorsements Know-
hows!”.
Key stakeholders and their interests
Stakeholders Interests
Brands/Companies Collaborate with celebrities to leverage their reach and credibility to enhance
brand recognition, increase sales, or improve brand perception.
Celebrities Duty to verify authenticity and quality of products/ brands, avoiding conflict of
interest, protecting reputation, etc.
Consumers Consumers' opinions, attitudes, and purchasing decisions can be influenced by
the celebrity's association with the brand or product.
Advertising Agencies Ensure that the endorsement aligns with the brand's marketing objectives and
resonates with the target audience.
Media Media exposure amplifies the impact of celebrity endorsements and contributes
to brand visibility.
Regulatory Bodies Establish guidelines and regulations to ensure transparency, truthfulness, and
ethical practices in advertising.
Ethical issues in influencer endorsements
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• Instances of misuse of trust: Followers trust that influencers would not recommend something that is
harmful or low quality. However, a misleading advertisement can affect consumer health/interests.
o e.g., Surrogate endorsement of Pan-Masala brands by famous Bollywood Actors and Cricketers.
• Lack of responsibility: There is no responsibility mechanism for influencers for checking the endorsed
products. Also, brands do not provide appropriate data regarding the product in the public domain.
• Lack of understanding by influencers: Sometimes, influencers themselves have a limited idea of the
quality of the product they are promoting. This was evident in Fyre Festival fraud.
• Conflict of interest and deceptive marketing: Often the products are advertised showing that they have
been made keeping the benefits of consumers in mind but are actually promoted based solely on the profit
motive.
• Targeting vulnerable groups such as children or teenagers, that may not be able to critically evaluate the
products that influencers are promoting.
• Reinforcing
Dark Patterns
created by
some
technology
companies,
advertising
agencies or
marketing ecosystems.
o Dark patterns describe the ways in which software can subtly trick users into doing things they didn’t
mean to do, or discouraging behaviour that’s bad for the company.
Endorsement Know-hows: Guidelines for Celebrity and Social Media Influencers
• Compulsory disclosure of monetary or material benefits of a product or a brand they are promoting
through their social media platforms.
• Penalty: Failure of compulsory disclosure will attract a penalty of up to ₹ 50 lakh.

• Clear communication: The disclosures must be prominently and clearly displayed in the endorsement
and terms such as ‘advertisement’, ‘sponsored’ or ‘paid promotion’ should be used for all sorts of
endorsements.
• Advertise responsibly: They should not endorse any product or service in which due diligence has not
been done by them or that they have not personally used or experienced.
Potential Solutions going forward
• Implementation of Guidelines: "Endorsements Know-hows!" must be followed by celebrities, influencers,
and virtual influencers on social media platforms.
• Code of ethics for social media influencers: It should include the establishment of authenticity of the
products by them and promoting safe and beneficial products to their audience.
• Self-regulation by celebrity or influencer groups: The influencer marketing industry should come up with
a set of guidelines and best practices that influencers can follow.
o For instance, P. Gopichand decided not to endorse carbonated soft drinks owing to their deleterious
health effects.
• Effective age restrictions and parental controls: To prevent targeting of children or teenagers to such
misleading advertisements.
• Creation of a governmental due diligence structure: Government can form a committee or a forum to
consistently check products or services for their claims. This will limit the onus of due diligence on
celebrities and will create a sense of brand responsibility.

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5. ETHICS AND BUSINESS

5.1. COMPASSIONATE CAPITALISM
Introduction
Recently, Narayana Murthy raised concerns about the large gap in income between top executives and lower-
level employees in Indian companies and called for practicing compassionate capitalism to solve this issue.
About Compassionate Capitalism
• In Capitalism, private actors own and control property in accordance with their interests, and demand
and supply freely determine the prices in markets in a way that can serve the best interests of society.
o Adam Smith's "The Wealth of Nations" laid the foundations of capitalist thinking.
• Compassionate capitalism aims to blend capitalist opportunity with principles of equitable wealth
distribution from socialist thought.
o Compassionate capitalism merges Adam Smith's economic individualism with the socialist
paradigms of Karl Marx.
o It combines the concepts of communism's equitable wealth distribution with the principles of work,
opportunity, and fair economic compensation.
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Ethical dilemma associated with compassionate capitalism

• Employee Welfare vs. Profit Maximization: Ensuring fair wages, reasonable working hours, and good
working conditions may increase operational costs.
• Consumer Interests vs. Profit-Driven Products: Producing higher-quality, safer products may result in
higher costs.
• Environmental Responsibility vs. Cost Efficiency: Businesses might struggle to balance eco-friendly
initiatives with maintaining competitive pricing and profitability.
• Attracting talent in higher echelons vs. Income Equality: Competitive compensation packages are argued
to attract top talent even though they can create a significant income gap between the highest and lowest
earners.
• Community Engagement vs. Shareholder Returns: Investing in community projects and social causes can
enhance a company's social responsibility image but might not provide immediate financial returns.
Contribution of Moral Thinkers to the idea of Compassionate Capitalism
• Buddhism's Pratityasamutpada: Based on the concept of dependent origination (Pratityasamutpada),
this view holds that people are interdependent with each other and the Earth.
• Immanuel Kant's Categorical Imperative: Kant emphasized treating every person as an end in themselves,
not merely as means. His moral law dictates acting out of duty to ethical rules, not mere self-interest.
• Gandhian Thought: Gandhiji’s values of truth, non-violence, and socio-economic ideals included simple
living, uplifting all (sarvodaya), and trusteeship.
• Amartya Sen's Capability Approach: His framework evaluates individual well-being and social policies
based on people's capabilities and freedoms, not just monetary metrics.

Practices that can materialize Capitalism Compassionate

Stakeholders Practices
Workplace • Open and Flexible work cultures: Work culture that values collaboration, innovation,
and creativity and also investing in skill development of workers.
• Equal opportunity to growth: E.g. Infosys' Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
democratizes wealth by granting company stock to employees.
• Financial security and fair redistribution of wealth: E.g., Tata Steel has committed to
pay the families of employees who died from Covid their last drawn salary until the
deceased would have turned 60.
• Fostering compassionate leadership: By imbibing values like empathy; openness and
communication; physical and mental well-being; etc.
Environment • Environmental accounting: E.g. SEBI issued guidance note on Environment, Social
and Governance (ESG) disclosures for companies listed on Indian Stock Exchanges.
• Adopting circular economic model: ITC has adopted this model to reduce its
environmental footprint.
• Minimising consumerism: According to the ‘Limits to Growth principle (proposed by
Club of Rome)’, humans can live indefinitely on earth if they impose limits on
themselves and their production of material goods.
Society • Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): CSR is a commitment by businesses to
integrate social and environmental concerns in their business.
• Redistribution of wealth generated from Development: For example, Pradhan
Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana (PMKKKY) that ensures development benefits

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also reaches to the people and areas affected due to mining.
• Fulfilling societal needs: For example, ‘Goodfellows’ initiative started to help the
elderly in India.

5.2. ETHICS OF FOOD SERVICE AND SAFETY

Introduction
The presence of carcinogenic pesticide ethylene oxide in several spice mixes of MDH and Everest was
detected in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Maldives. Nestlé India was also found to have included sugar in infant
milk in India but not in Europe. These instances highlight poor standardization and weakening of Ethics in the
Food Industry.

Stakeholders and their Role/Interest

Stakeholders Role/Interests
Consumers • Health and Wellness
• Food safety, Food prices & Food security
• Equality, Social justice & fairness in food services
Companies/ Businesses/ Small- • Food quality and safety,
scale producers/ Processors • Cost Efficiency, Profit and sustainability
• Customer satisfaction, trust and Loyalty
• Social Responsibility and Community Engagement
• Reputation Management
Government/ Regulators • Public policy & Regulation
• Ensuring that food served is of high quality, nutritious, and
contributes to public health and safety.
Society/ NGOs/ International • Sustainable food production and consumption
Organisation • Ensuring that food supply chain follows ethical practices

• Ensuring Affordability and Accessibility of food

• Regulatory Compliance and Advocacy
What is Food Ethics?
Food ethics concerns the morality of food production and consumption. Food service ethics encompasses
moral principles and standards that guide behaviour in the food service industry and across the food value
chain.
Key principles of food service ethics
• Justice:
o For Food Providers: Food service workers often face issues like low wages, food insecurity, etc.
o For Consumers: Access, Security and Affordability of safe and nutritious food are important issues that
are often ignored.
• Autonomy: Involves freedom to choose how food is produced and distributed (autonomy in Supply
Chains), while also respecting consumers' ability to make their own decisions (transparency via
Labels).
• Non-maleficence: Encompasses-
o Taking steps to prevent contamination and foodborne illnesses,
o Addressing and rectifying safety concerns, etc.
• Accountability and Transparency: Involves Responsibility for Food Safety, Addressing Customer
Feedback, etc.
Ethical concerns involved in Food Service and Safety
• Assigning responsibility for safety: Who should take responsibility to prevent and control foodborne
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diseases and outbreaks?

o According to WHO, 600 million people fall ill and 420,000 die every year from eating unsafe food.
• Financial Constraints vs. Food Safety: How to balance costs and benefits of food safety measures,
especially for small-scale producers and processors and at the same time comply with food safety
standards.
• Diverse Individual choices: How to respect the autonomy and preferences of consumers, who may have
different tastes or choices.
• Protecting genuine stakeholders: Protecting the privacy and confidentiality of individuals or
businesses involved in foodborne incidents, without compromising the public interest or accountability.
• Universal application of safety standards: Ensuring food services and safety measures are fair and
equitable, and not discriminate against certain groups based on socioeconomic status, culture, or
geography.
Way Forward
• Nudging consumers: Nudges are small changes in the environment of decision or “choice architecture”
(e.g. display of choices in a cafeteria, restaurant menu, etc.) to help individuals make choices that are
deemed beneficial. E.g. FSSAI’s Eat Right India Campaign.
• Stakeholder Capitalism: Stakeholders’ perspectives, including those from environmentalists, consumers,
and animal industries, are important in ethical decision-making.
• Food safety training and education: Food safety training and education are important for food handlers to
prevent food contamination and foodborne disease outbreaks.

5.3. ETHICS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Introduction
Recently, a jury met to recognise the most brilliant young leaders of corporate India for the 10th edition of 40
Under Forty for a publication. A member of jury highlighted that certain young entrepreneurs not only
demonstrated professional and business acumen but also believed in giving back to society.
Stakeholder and their Interests
Stakeholder Interests
Entrepreneurs • Establish a successful business model.
• Expects cooperation from employees, regulatory bodies etc.
Customer • Product and services should be available at reasonable cost. These
should be eco-friendly.
• Expects ethical practices from entrepreneurs.
Government/Regulatory • Creating positive environment for the entrepreneurs so that they can
Authorities transform into successful business model.
• Entrepreneurs should comply with law of the land.
Business Partners/Dealers • The deals or agreement signed by the entrepreneurs, needs to be
implemented by them in letter and spirit.
• Transparency and accountability in day to day work of the company.
Investors • Expects high return from their investments.
• Promote entrepreneurs who are honest and accountable for their

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actions.
Ethical Issues faced by Entrepreneurs
• Conflict of Interest: Entrepreneurs often face conflict between maintaining profitability of company and
social impact. E.g. Lijjat papad (a Women's Cooperative) had to decide between rapid mechanization to
increase production or maintaining their labor-intensive model to provide employment to thousands of
women.
• Environment Responsibility: In entrepreneurship, environment responsibility is still not a considered as a
key priority. E.g. In 2019, Reliance Industries was fined for ecological loss.
• Adopting Wrongful means: Sometimes entrepreneurs take wrongful means to achieve their ends. For
instance, manipulating financial statement of the business to attract investment. E.g. Satyam Scam 2009
(accounting fraud).
o Entrepreneurs sometimes violate regulations related with Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) such
copyright, patent etc.
• Work Culture/Fair treatment with Employees: In order to complete task on time, many times,
management pushes employees to work extra.
Key Guiding Principles for Ethical Entrepreneurship
Utilitarianism Ethics Advocates actions that foster happiness or pleasure and oppose actions that cause
unhappiness or harm.
Deontology Ethics Immanuel Kant’s Deontology ethics says that rational humans must scrupulously
uphold their moral obligations, regardless of the result.
Virtue Ethics Emphasizes that practicing qualities like honesty, courage, justice, charity, etc., one
grows into an acceptable and righteous life.
Stakeholder Theory Theory argues that a firm should create value for all stakeholders, not just
shareholders.
Ways to Integrate Ethical Principles into Entrepreneurship
• Balancing Profit and purpose: Social entrepreneurship is good example of this approach. It seeks to solve
a social need while earning a reasonable financial return.

o E.g. eHealthPoint venture, provides primary health consultations to rural or remote communities.
• Stakeholder Engagement/Foster Open Communication: Entrepreneurs should encourage employees,
customers, etc. to speak up about any ethical concerns or violations they observe.
o E.g. TATA Steel has developed a robust stakeholder engagement process.
• Ethical sourcing of raw materials: E.g. Ben & Jerry’s, renowned ice-cream manufacturer, has a long-
standing commitment to ethically source ingredients.
• Lead by Example: E.g., In 2020, Wipro Ltd, along with associate firms, committed Rs 1125 crore for the
COVID-19 pandemic outbreak.

5.4. LABOUR ETHICS AND LONG WORK HOURS

Introduction
Recently, Narayana Murthy suggested 70 hours work week for youngsters. This has raised debate surrounding
labour ethics. Labour Ethics includes consideration of right and wrong on a wide range of questions having to
do with the treatment of labour.
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Stakeholders and their Interest

Stakeholders Interests
Employee • Gainful employment, good working conditions and work-life balance.
Employers/ • Promote Organizational efficiency, profits and sustained human resource
Industrialists development.
Management • Views long working hours as a matter of professional responsibility, especially
in fields such as health care and law enforcement.
Investors • Maximize returns on their investments in short period of time.
• Undertake investments in ethically and socially responsible businesses.
Labour Unions • Negotiate for better workers’ rights, including safer working conditions and
reasonable work hours.
Labour regulatory • Enforcement of labour laws, rules, regulations and standards and promote
bodies welfare of workers.
Government • Promote economic growth along with all round human Capital development.
Ethical concerns against overtime and long work hours
• Violation of Ethical principle of nonmaleficence: The principle dictates that care should be taken not to
harm others.
o Long working hours causes exhaustion leading to medical negligence, disasters e.g. Chernobyl,
Space Shuttle Challenger accident.
• Wealth over health: Choosing extra overtime income compromises physical and mental health. E.g. job
burnout in professions like investment banking.
• Profit over Principles: Mandating long work hours is against sustainable work culture where businesses
are mindful of worker’s health.
• Erosion of family and societal values: By eroding time for personal relationships, and ties to the broader
community.
• Against socialistic and gender ethics: Long work hours concentrate job opportunities for limited set of
labour force resulting in inequitable distribution of employment.

o It also limits gainful employment opportunities for women who prefer shorter-hour shifts due to dual
burden.
Way forward
• Governments: Proper enforcement of labour laws regulating work hours, e.g. Factories Act, Motor
Transport Workers Act, 1961.
• Businesses: Invest in health and wellbeing of employees to promote better job satisfaction. E.g.
Healthcare insurance, paid leaves, maternity/paternity leaves etc.
• Employees: Better time management to foster a balance between professional and personal goals.
• Upskilling: To address shortage of skilled workforce and promote better division of labour.
• Collaboration between multiple stakeholders, like, Government, business, labour unions etc. to create an
ethical framework for Sustainable work culture.

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6. ETHICS AND MEDIA

6.1. MEDIA ETHICS AND SELF-REGULATION
Introduction
Recently, the Supreme Court expressed concerns about the ineffectiveness of the self-regulatory
mechanism set up by the News Broadcasting and Digital Standards Authority (NBSA). This also highlights the
importance of adherence to Media ethics in the modern age, where breaches of media ethics are rising.

Stakeholders and their Interests

Stakeholders Interests
Media actors • Media ethics must ensure that journalists observe principles of integrity,
professionalism, privacy and impartiality.
• Ensuring autonomy of media through the mechanism of Self-regulation.
Government • Media ethics promotes and defends values such as a universal respect for life and
the rule of law and legality.
General Public • Serve the public by providing information which is impartial and which promotes
knowledge and reason.
Police • Media must facilitate assistance to the police and it must applaud when criminals
are brought to justice as a result.
o The press must also hold the police to account, acting as the eyes and ears of
the public.
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Why the need for effective Media Ethics is becoming paramount in India?
• Conflicts of Interests: Impartiality is one of the pillars of media ethics. But a dilemma occurs when one is
assigned to cover a story about someone s/he has an existing personal relationship with.
• Confidentiality and Integrity: Serious ethical concerns have been expressed where reporters covered
special stories based on information concerning an individual’s personal conduct in private life.
• Bias and subjectivity: News reports are often reported in a particular style, and bias in a manner that has
led to the suspicion of the news media’s intentions and objects.
• Cross-media ownership by big corporate companies has assumed alarming proportions.
• Current self-regulatory mechanism has not been effective due to reasons like-
o Media and market pressure: Business imperatives of increasing revenue have taken (and continue to
take) their toll on journalistic excellence.
o Inadequate penalty: Currently, ₹ 1 Lakh fine is ineffective as this fine is not in proportion to profits
earned.
Way Forward
• Self-regulation system of media needs strengthening.
o Hutchins Commission report advocated for freedom of the press, and self-regulation was
considered as the key feature, and government intervention as the last resort.

o Penalties should be in proportion to the profits earned by an errant channel, as recently advocated by
the Supreme Court.
• There should be a universal code of ethics which specifies the following guidelines for journalists:
o Take responsibility for the accuracy of their work.
o Never deliberately distort facts or context, including visual information.
o Recognise a special obligation to serve as watchdogs over public affairs and government.
o Objectivity is an essential technique for removing bias in seeking truth.

6.2. ETHICAL USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS

Introduction
Recently, the ECI has taken cognizance of the violations of the Model Code of Conduct and other legal provisions
concerning the use of social media in election campaigning by political parties. This raises questions about the
lack of well-defined ethics in the context of the fast-evolving nature of social media.
Stakeholders and their Interest

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Stakeholders Role/Interests
Users/Customers/Citizens • Virtual social connectivity and Access to quality digital services
Social Media • Quality Service Delivery
Intermediaries/Platforms • Increasing customer base- Reach
• Profitability and financial growth
Political Parties • Increasing the reach towards the target voter base
• Social media as a tool for electioneering
• Align with the demands of the voters
Government/Regulatory • Ensuring a level-playing field for fair competition and protecting the rights
ecosystem of its citizens
International • Global consensus on ethical use of social media platforms
Organizations • Ensuring the platforms are not misused
Ethical debates concerning Social Media
• Individuals v/s Social media platforms:
o Privacy: Lack of informed consent for usage, storage and sharing of personal data has led to the issue
of breach of confidentiality. E.g., Targeted advertising based on search history.
o Discrimination: Access has increased over the period; however platforms still lacks the institutional
structures to ensure equitable and fair access to the minoritized voices.
ü E.g. Social media campaigns based on anti-immigration sentiment in Western countries.
• Society v/s social media platforms
o Polarization: Fragmentation of the public sphere by encouraging the formation of ‘echo chambers’ and
‘filter bubbles’ creates informational silos for like-minded individuals who deliberately shield
themselves from exposure to alternative views.
ü E.g. the Use of Facebook to drive violence against the Rohingya minority in Myanmar.
• Regulatory ecosystem v/s Social media platforms:
o National Interest v/s individual freedom: The regulatory initiative of Government may compromise
freedom of speech of the users.

o Transparency and accountability: It is difficult to fix or trace accountability for the content on the
platforms.
ü E.g., Whatsapp’s end-to-end encryption makes tracing criminal activity on it difficult.

Way forward
• Legal/ Regulatory ecosystem: There is a need for a facilitative methodology for upholding social media
ethics without overt regulation of the platforms.
o The Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021-
ü Features: Office of a Grievance Officer, Grievance Redressal Mechanism, Chief Compliance
Officer, Code of Ethics, Self-regulation mechanism and Oversight Mechanism by the
government.
• Social media platforms:
o Following government guidelines for data storage and sharing in aspects like sovereignty and integrity
of India, security of the State, public order, decency or morality etc.
o The Internet and Mobile Association of India along with social media platforms agreed on a Voluntary
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Code of Ethics for elections in India.

• Political Parties: Every political party should have an internal Code of Ethics and a self-regulating
mechanism.
• Society: It is the collective responsibility to hold social media platforms accountable.

6.3. ETHICS OF MEDIA TRIAL

Introduction
In the present times, the media has clothed itself with the power of investigation and trial and ultimately branding
accused as a criminal, even before our courts of law have delivered a judgement. In this context, the Supreme
Court (SC) directed the Union government to prepare guidelines on how the police should brief the media about
ongoing investigations in order to prevent media trials.
Stakeholders and their Interest
Stakeholders Interest
Judiciary/Judges • Free trial is the foundation of justice. Anything which may make judges biased
towards the accused should be avoided.
Accused/Family • The accused expects that the media will show things without fabricating facts and
members figures.
Victim/Family • Victims/Family members expect that their identity/personal information will not
members be revealed by the media. Also, they hope that the media will help them in getting
justice.
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Witnesses • The protection and safety of the witness is crucial in the entire justice
ecosystem. Their stake lies in Media not disclosing their identity.
Media • Reporting the truth i.e., acting as 4th pillar of democracy and managing the
commercial angle connected with popularity and viewership.
Individual/Citizen • The general public expects that socially significant issues are given priority and
honestly reported by media i.e., without bias, prejudice or any vested interests.
Key Ethical Issues with Media Trial
• Credibility of the Justice System: It undermines the principle of innocent until proven guilty which
advocates that every accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty by the law. E.g. Aarushi–Hemraj
murder case.
• Undermines Right to fair trial: When sub-judice cases (case is under trial) are being discussed by experts
in media, their opinions can affect the perception of judges toward the accused/victim. E.g. Jasleen Kaur
harassment case.
o Article 21 of the Constitution of India guarantees everyone the right to a fair trial (part of the right to life
and liberty).
• Threatens Right to Privacy: The identity/personal information of the accused and victim is revealed which
can negatively affect the Public image of an individual. E.g. in Sushant Singh Rajput case.
• Undermines Media Ethics: Violates key principles of Media Ethics such as truth and accountability.
Way Forward
• Creating a balance between the rights of the accused and the media: In sensitive cases, media can delay

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reporting on certain aspects until the trial is over.
o In Sahara India Real Estate Corporation v SEBI (2012), the SC highlighted the need for a delicate
balance between the rights of the accused and the media’s right to report.
• Promoting Self-regulation Mechanism: Organisations like the Broadcasting and Digital Standards
Authority (NBSA) should create comprehensive guidelines.
• Implementing Media Ethics: Press Council of India should emphasize and encourage the implementation
of the Norms of Journalistic Conduct (2022).

6.4 SOCIAL MEDIA AND CIVIL SERVANTS

Introduction
“Don’t fall into the ‘Singham’ trap. The Police uniform is not associated with authority and awe but inspires
pride.” – Prime Minister. This was spoken in the context of Civil Servants turning into Instagram celebrities.
At the same time, IAS officer and collector Prasanth Nair used his social media influence to gather volunteers
for cleaning up a lake in Kerala.
Civil Servants have been using Social Media these days for various purposes such as:
• Connecting with citizens to increase public participation, build trust, and increase popularity.
• Sharing information and improving awareness regarding government schemes, latest policy
updates, regulations etc. E.g., Delhi Traffic Police increasing traffic law awareness through memes.
• Understanding public viewpoint on policies and programmes and underlying issues like casteism,
communalism, and sexism among others.

• For expressing personal opinion and sharing other content.

Key stakeholders and their interests
Stakeholders Interests
Civil Servants De facto representatives of the government and at the same time right to freedom
of speech and expression as a citizen.
Government Set policies, guidelines, and standards for civil servants' social media usage.
Citizens/Public Audiences and recipients of the information shared by civil servants and may
actively participate by commenting, asking questions, or seeking assistance
through social media channels.
Media Monitor and report on civil servants' social media activities, amplifying their reach
and impact.
Colleagues/Peers Follow and engage with their peers' social media activities to exchange ideas, share
best practices, or coordinate efforts.
Regulatory Bodies Monitoring and ensuring compliance with social media usage guidelines or policies.
Ethical issues arising out of social media use by Civil servants
• Principle of Neutrality and Anonymity: Civil Service values suggest that officers be politically neutral and
must keep themselves away from being recognized publicly or appreciated for that matter, contrary to what
social media provides.
• Inconsistent with the parliamentary form of government: In a parliamentary form of government,
bureaucrats are not directly accountable to the public but only accountable to their line of authority.
• Violation of confidentiality and threat to national security: Risk of information leakage, personal data
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shared online can be used for intelligence gathering, social media accounts of bureaucrats can be targeted
by hackers for unauthorized access, etc.
• It can blur the distinction between an individual’s professional and private identity: Actions online are
easily visible to colleagues, employers, and the general public, thus making it difficult to separate
professional and personal selves.
• Undue self-promotion: Fame is sometimes used by civil servants for self-promotion. Many Civil Servants
post about their work. These posts are then promoted by their fans and followers, creating a public narrative
of their performance.
All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968
It highlights that no member of the services should make a statement on any public media-
• which has the effect of an adverse criticism of any current or recent policy or action of Central
Government or a State Government.
• which is capable of embarrassing the relations between the Central Government and any State
Government.
• which is capable of embarrassing the relations between Central Government and Government of any
Foreign State.
Potential Solutions
The following core values have been suggested by the Department of Electronics and Information
Technology for social media presence and interaction of civil servants:
• Identity: Civil Servants must clearly mention their identity, their role in the department and publish
information in the first person. A disclaimer may be used when appropriate.
• Authority: Do not comment and respond unless authorized to do so, especially in matters that are
sub-judice, draft legislations or relating to other individuals.
• Relevance: Comment on issues associated with their area and make relevant and pertinent
comments.
• Professionalism: Be Polite, Be Discrete and Be Respectful to all and do not make personal comments
for or against any individuals or agencies. Also, professional discussions should not be politicized.
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• Openness: Be open to comments – whether positive or negative.

• Compliance: Be compliant with relevant rules and regulations. Do not infringe upon IPR, Copyright of
others.
• Privacy: Not to reveal personal information about other individuals as well as self.

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7. MISCELLANEOUS
7.1. ETHICS OF WAR
Introduction
Ongoing military conflicts between Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas and the continuous circulation of images
and stories in social media about the atrocities of war raise various ethical questions.
What are the Ethical concerns that arise in a war?
• Reduction to Right side vs. wrong side: The attempt to make sense of war and violence is often reduced to
a judgement that one side is right and the other wrong.
o However, providing a justification to oneself and others does not make it ethically correct.
• Punishment and Revenge: In war, rationale based on punishment and revenge is often seen as a moral
path to correct a wrong.
• Degradation of Human beings: Humans are often treated as tools to achieve the objectives of war.
• Individual vs. Collective identity: Recent conflicts such as the Israel-Palestine war show a trend where
people don’t see individuals as they are and see them only in terms of a collective identity.
Is there an ethical framework to resolve these concerns?
• The most accepted way of ethically assessing a war is to apply the Just War Theory. Just war theory
establishes several conditions that determine whether a war can be regarded as just, ethical or legitimate.
• Just War Criterion are as follow:
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o Jus ad bellum (Justice of the resort to war): It includes principles like right authority to wage war (for
instance national governments and not non-state actors), just cause, right intension etc.
o Jus in Bello (Justice of Conduct of war): Includes principles like Proportionality (for instance, excessive
or unnecessary harm should be avoided), etc.
o Jus post Bello (What is the responsibility of warring parties after the war?): Includes constraining the
wrongdoing of victors, facilitating post-war reconstruction, and securing lasting peace.
Are these ethical ideals being followed?
Some states and military organizations explicitly try to adhere to just war principles and incorporate them into
their military doctrines, rules of engagement, and training programs.
However, in most of the cases, adherence to these principles is found wanting. The following can be cited as key
reasons:
• Involvement of Non-State Actors: Insurgent groups or terrorist organizations, are often not bound by the
same legal and ethical constraints as state actors.
• Ignorance of Distinction principle: The principle of discrimination requires a clear distinction between
combatants and non-combatants, but in practice, civilians often become unintended victims.
o For instance, use of weapons of mass destruction
• Technological Advancements and the principle of proportionality: The use of advanced military
technologies, such as drones and precision-guided munitions, raises questions about proportionality and
discrimination.
o While these technologies can be employed to minimize civilian harm, there are concerns about their
potential misuse.
• Limited Global Governance: The effectiveness of international institutions, treaties, and agreements is
often questionable.
What can be done to ensure that these ideas are followed?
• Strengthening International Cooperation and Institutions that govern the conduct of war, such as the
Geneva Conventions.

o There is also a need to enhance the role of institutions such as the International Criminal Court (ICC)
or the UN Security Council in holding individuals or states accountable.
• Advocacy for stricter Arms control and disarmament to limit the use of weapons that can cause
disproportionate harm to civilians.
• Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution such as addressing the root causes of conflicts, promoting
dialogue, and facilitating negotiations that can contribute to the prevention of violence.
• Other: Code of Conduct for state militaries based on consensus regarding war ethics, etc.

7.2. ETHICS OF GLOBAL GOVERNANCE

Introduction
United Nations is not able to hold the US accountable for its obligations. United Nations Security Council
(UNSC) has showcased several instances where different principles apply to developed and developing
countries. Cases of Human Rights violations were recently observed in Iran protests, Myanmar’s Rohingya
crisis, etc. These instances highlight the rising cases of unethical/discriminatory practices in global governance.

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Global governance functions through a set of institutions, rules, and processes that aim to manage cross-
border issues like diplomatic relations, trade, financial transactions, migration, and climate change. It seeks to
address collective concerns and mediate common interests, which are all necessary to manage our
increasingly complex interdependence.
Key stakeholders and their interests
Stakeholders Interests
Sovereign • Recognition from other States as a legitimate participant in Global Governance. E.g.,
states Palestine is not recognized as a State by some global bodies.
• States want to ensure their sovereign autonomy and may prioritize issues such as
national security and economic growth over international considerations.
Civil Society • They expect the fulfilment of certain obligations in lieu of the rights and benefits that
they provide.
• These have a responsibility to promote international cooperation and advance
global public goods such as human rights, peace and environmental stability.
Global • To hold governments and international organizations accountable to their ethical
Institutions obligations.
Multi- • Responsibility to promote shareholder value, alongside the duty to respect human
national rights, protect the environment, and contribute to the broader socio-economic
Companies development of society.
(MNCs)
Individuals • They have the responsibility to be informed and engaged citizens, and to act in ways
that promotes the greater good of society.
Ethical issues in Global Governance
• Lack of Accountability: Due to the absence of common accountability mechanisms across the world,
international laws and rules have failed to bestow obligations on participants.
• Discrimination: Rules are not the same for everyone. There seems to be a large distinction based on the
interests of those making the rules and to whom these are being applied.

• Polarizing Narratives: There is a growing divergence of expectations for what global governance should
deliver. For instance, in climate change negotiations, there have been disagreements on principles such
as Common But Differentiated Responsibility (CBDR).
• Underrepresentation of some countries: The domination of global institutions by powerful countries often
results in decisions that do not represent the interests or values of all countries or people.
o For instance, developing countries often argue that global trade agreements, such as WTO
mechanisms prioritize the interests of developed countries over those of developing countries.
• Violation of human rights: Abuse of human rights in various instances is overlooked due to differences
in opinions and conflicts of interest. Also, enforcement mechanisms for implementing a universal set of
human rights are lacking in global governance bodies.
Potential solutions
• Setting accountability mechanisms: Global Governance bodies can be given more powers to enforce
accountability and create monitoring measures. Neutral parties can be engaged for audits of
accountability mechanisms.
• Upholding the rule of law: Governance in global bodies should be based on the Rule of Law and
policymaking by consensus in accordance with a wide participatory approach.
• Keeping a dialogue-based approach which aims to allay every party’s concerns.
• Promote inclusivity and participation of all stakeholders: The idea of one country, one vote can be
explored rather than economic criteria such as funding.
• Mandatory upholding of human rights for UN member states with an effective enforcement mechanism.
A common minimum code of conduct in relation to human rights can be framed.
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7.3. ETHICS OF PUNISHMENT

Introduction
Recently, a devastating accident took place in Pune where a luxury car driven by a teenager, who belongs to an
influential family, claimed the lives of two individuals. The Juvenile Justice Board in this case granted bail to
the teenager and imposed a relatively lenient penalty. This raises the ethical concerns associated with disparity
in punishments.
Stakeholders and their Roles/Interests
Stakeholders Role/Interests
Victim • Expects fairness in trial, seeks justice, reassurance of security, and wants appropriate
punishment for the offender.
Offender • Concerned with fair treatment, expect proportionality of punishment, reform his/her
conduct, and rehabilitation in the mainstream society,
Society • Reduction in crime, public safety, upholding social moral values, and dignified living.
Government • Exemplify punishments for deterring crime, maintaining law and order, ensuring
fairness in legal procedures and punishment.
Judiciary • Delivering fair and impartial punishment, ensuring proportionality to the crime
committed, restoring balance in the society and promote moral good.
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Different Philosophies of Punishment and Associated Ethical Dilemmas

• Deterrence: Deterrence theory suggests that the threat of punishment discourages crime. General
deterrence targets the public, while specific deterrence focuses on preventing reoffending by those already
punished.
o Associated Dilemma: Emphasis on deterrence can lead to harsher punishments.
• Incapacitation: It focuses on removing and restricting the offender from the society by putting them in
prisons to prevent commission of future crimes.
o Associated Dilemma: Raises concerns about human rights, potential for abuse, and the efficacy of
long-term incarceration in preventing reoffending.
• Retribution: It says that aim of punishment is to right the wrong rather than to control or prevent crime.
Accordingly, the nature of punishment is based on the severity of the offence.
o Associated Dilemma: Criticized as being overly rigid, disproportionate and limited in its capacity to
change societal behavior.
• Restoration: Restorative Justice holds that punishment should aim to restore the harm caused to the
victim and the community by the offender.
o Associated Dilemma: May not be suitable for all crimes or offenders, and it can often be seen in
conflict with victim’s perception of justice.
• Rehabilitation: Helping individuals who have committed crimes change their behavior through
interventions, treatment, therapy, etc.
o Associated dilemma: National fiscal restraints, public demand for harsher sentences, and a crime-
control ideology focused on suppression over prevention.
Way Forward

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• Justified punishment: It requires showing that a crime makes the offender eligible for coercive treatment
and that the benefits of such punishment outweigh its costs.
o For instance, there should be well-defined Sentencing Policy.
• Elimination of bias: There are no clear conventions for sentencing and sentencing becomes judge-centric
in many cases.
o Also, this bias negatively affects the marginalized communities. For instance, NCRB data on Prison
Statistics India 2022 reveals that the total number of undertrial prisoners from SC and ST communities
are disproportionally higher.
• Impact assessments: Legislative process should incorporate pre-legislative tests and impact
assessments to ensure enforceability, proportionality, and reformation.
• Rehabilitation: A rehabilitation approach can be useful in restoring the balance between retribution and
restoration of offenders.

7.4. BUDDHA'S TEACHINGS

Why in the news?
Recently, the Vice President of India stressed the importance of Buddha’s teachings while addressing the 12th
General Assembly of the Asian Buddhist Conference for Peace (ABCP).

Important Teachings of Buddha

• In the 6th century BC, Buddha preached that life brings sorrow. To find freedom, one must overcome
desire.
• Teachings encompass 'Four Noble Truths' and 'Eight-Fold Path’ or Ashtangika Marg.
o 'Eight-Fold Path’: Right- Views, Aspiration, Speech, Action, Livelihood, Effort, Mindfulness and
Concentration.

• Advocated a ‘Middle Path’, a simple, virtuous life between extreme austerity and luxury.
• Three gems (Triratna)-Knowledge, conduct and meditation as the means of liberation.
• The five conducts for a Buddhist monk: Non-violence, Non-stealing, Celibacy, Truthfulness and not
taking any intoxicating things like liquor.
Contemporary Relevance of Buddha’s Teachings
• Addresses Consumerism and Materialistic Greed: Buddha acknowledged the relationship between
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attachment and sorrow and inspired to follow the pursuit of inner contentment.
• Promotes Scientific temper: Encouraging mindfulness, concentration, and right understanding can
facilitate a spirit of inquiry.
• Citizen-centric governance: Right Speech, conduct, and livelihood can help make administration more
responsive and service-driven, prioritizing citizen welfare and inclusivity.
• Peace, harmony, and coexistence: Spirit of love towards all living and emphasis on the law of karma can
curb wars, terrorism, extremism and violence.
• Inter-faith harmony: Buddha neither accepted nor rejected the existence of God. He was more
concerned about the individual and his actions.
• Ethical guide: Buddha’s teachings of simplicity, middle path etc., guide us to deal with ethical ambiguity
associated with Artificial Intelligence, biotechnology etc.
• Peaceful resolution of conflict: Buddha rejected violence and taught dialogue as best way to resolve
conflicts.

7.5. ETHICS IN SPORTS

Introduction
A controversy erupted during the Cricket World Cup match between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka regarding the call
for a timed-out decision against Sri Lankan cricketer Angelo Mathews. Although, it was as per the rules, but his
conduct was debated in the context of poor sportsmanship.
Stakeholders and their Interests/Responsibilities
Stakeholders Interests/Responsibility
Government • Promoting and monitoring implementation of code of sports ethics.
• Inclusion of sports ethics in school curricula.
• Encourage research to improve understanding of complex issues in sports.
Sports • Publish clear guidelines on ethical and unethical behaviour.
institutions/ • Establish systems which reward sports ethics and penalize unethical behaviour.
organizations

• Encourage modification of rules to meet special needs of vulnerable

sportspersons.
Sportspersons • Setting a good example through personal behaviour.
• Refrain from rewarding unfair play.
• Awareness regarding physical and psychological changes throughout sporting
performance.
Sport fans • Express support for their team without resorting to disrespectful or offensive
language.
• Rejecting and condemning any form of discrimination.
• Responsible online behaviour and respecting privacy of sportspersons.
What constitutes Sports Ethics?
• Signifies not just a certain form of behaviour but also a particular way of thinking. It involves the elimination
of all types of negative behaviour on and off the field. It promotes equity and sporting excellence.
• Based on four key virtues: fairness, integrity, responsibility, and respect.
Ethical virtues Elements
Fairness • Follow established rules and guidelines.
• No discrimination against participants based on their race, gender, or sexual
orientation.
• Referees should not show bias or personal interest.
Integrity • Not to engage in or tolerate dishonesty, cheating or dishonourable conduct.
• Any athlete who seeks to gain an advantage over his/her opponent by means of a

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way that the game itself was not designed to test demonstrates a lack of personal
integrity.
o For example, when a player fake being injured or fouled in soccer.
Responsibility • Take responsibility for their performance, as well as their actions on the field.
• Players and coaches be up to date on the rules and regulations.
• Players and coaches conduct themselves in an honourable way off the field, as
well as on it.
Respect • Treat the traditions of the sports and other participants with respect.
• Not to engage in or tolerate disrespectful conduct, including verbal abuse of
opponents and officials.
• All fans should show respect for other fans, as well as both teams and officials.
What are the ethical issues that arise in sports?
• Means over Ends: Athletes and coaches are often encouraged to bend the rules wherever possible to gain
a competitive advantage.
o It places greater emphasis on the outcome of the game than on the way it is played.
• Performance pressure: Modern sports are extremely competitive due to the professionalization of sports,
involvement of global viewership, etc.
• Law-Morality conundrum: While there are established rules and regulations within the legal framework of
sports, the interpretation and application of these rules sometimes lead to moral ambiguity.
• Bracketed morality: This approach holds that sport and competition are set apart from real life and occupy
a realm where ethics and moral codes do not apply.
o Instead, some argue, sports serve as an outlet for our primal aggression and a selfish need for
recognition and respect gained through the conquering of an opponent. E.g., sledging during cricket
matches between cricketers.

How can sports ethics be promoted?

• Role modelling: Promote positive role models in sports who exemplify the highest standards of ethical
behaviour.
• Anti-doping initiatives: Implement robust anti-doping programs to ensure fair competition and protect the
health of athletes.
• Media responsibility: Promote responsible and ethical sports journalism that focuses on fair reporting and
avoids sensationalism.
• Sponsor responsibility: Encourage responsible sponsorship and corporate practices that align with ethical
standards.
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7.6 BEYOND BITES: ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS IN STRAY DOGS CONTROL

Introduction
India has a nearly 1.5 crore stray dog population (2019 livestock census) and carries the dubious distinction
of being the world’s dog-bite-and-rabies-capital. According to the National Crime Records Bureau, there were
4,146 reported cases of dog bites leading to human deaths in India in 2019. Thus, there is a growing concern
regarding stray dog management.
Stakeholders and their Interest /Role
Stakeholder Interest/Role
Animal welfare • Providing shelter and food to stray dogs and maintaining animal waste.
organizations/ • Rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming efforts.
activists • Advocating for humane treatment and promoting responsible pet ownership.
• Provide healthcare facilities to dogs.
Pet owners • Taking responsibility for their pets and not contributing to stray dog population.
• Timely immunization of their pets.
• Supporting community initiatives and intervening in case of inappropriate pet
behaviour.
Local authorities • Control the stray dog population and ensure their well-being.
• Carrying out effective immunization and sterilization of stray dogs.
• Providing adequate healthcare facilities to treat dog bite and rabies cases.
Local population • Public health and safety including reducing the risk of dog bites, preventing spread

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of zoonotic diseases like rabies, etc.
• Animal welfare including humane treatment of stray dogs
Government • Frame appropriate policies and legislations for animal control.
• Formulation of standard operating procedures for addressing cases of dog bites
and tackle rabid dogs.

Ethical aspects surrounding control of stray dogs

• Abandonment: Abandonment of pets is a moral challenge, which is often considered as moral bankruptcy
and irresponsibility.
• Responsibility: Dogs have a unique relationship with man’s evolutionary history. This poses a moral
dilemma of being responsible for their welfare but also confronting the vagaries of their evolution from
wolves and their territorial instincts.
• Public Health: The concern is raised for both human health and the health of dogs.
• Animal control methods: The use of capture, mass killing and euthanasia methods raises ethical concerns,
as it involves taking the lives of animals. Ethical alternatives, such as trap-neuter-return (TNR) programs,
should be considered.
Present Policy Framework
• Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (PCA), 1960: Killing of stray dogs is punishable under the PCA, 1960.
• Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI), 1962: A statutory advisory body (under PCA 1960), promotes animal
welfare.
• Animal Birth Control (ABC) Program: Aims to control population of stray dogs through sterilization and
vaccination. The program is regulated as per the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023 under PCA 1960.
• Judicial View: Supreme Court in AWBI vs Nagaraja case (2014) declared that every species has a right to
life and security, subject to the law of the land, which includes depriving its life out of human necessity.

Way Forward
• Animal control measures: Government and Civil Society should formulate policies for vaccination,
sterilization, and waste management.
o Enact laws to prevent pet abandonment and ensure their welfare.
• Infrastructural support: Create feeding spots, veterinary healthcare facilities, and support civil society
organizations.
• Training and Education: Potential/present pet owners shall be educated and trained regarding pet
behaviour, health and hygiene etc.
• Developing new relationships: Many studies demonstrate that the company of dogs can lead to reduced
stress, anxiety, and symptoms of depression.
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7.7. ETHICS AND CLIMATE CHANGE

Introduction
After two long weeks of negotiations at COP26, the United Nations Climate Talks, the Glasgow Climate Pact was
signed. But both leaders and experts were not satisfied with the promises made. The prevalent gaps in the
climate negotiations and the gravity of the issues can be gauged by the opinion of world leaders:
Climate change is always perceived as an environmental or physical problem, but the solution to this problem
lies in unknotting an array of ethical issues.
Key stakeholders and their interests
Stakeholders Interests
Governments Protecting the environment, ensuring the well-being of citizens, maintaining
geopolitical stability, fostering sustainable economic growth, and fulfilling
international commitments such as the Paris Agreement.
Intergovernmental Promoting international cooperation, facilitating negotiations and agreements,
Organizations setting global goals and targets, and supporting capacity-building in developing
countries.
Businesses and Managing climate risks, embracing sustainable practices, investing in clean
Corporations technologies, exploring renewable energy opportunities, and capitalizing on the
emerging green economy.
Local Communities Protecting livelihoods, preserving cultural heritage, ensuring access to clean air
and water, adapting to changing conditions, and participating in decision-making

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processes that affect their well-being.
Indigenous People Protecting their rights, preserving traditional knowledge and practices, and ensuring
their voices are heard in climate decision-making processes.
Scientific Conducting research, sharing knowledge, improving climate models, and
Community advocating for evidence-based climate policies.
Ethical issues with regard to climate change
• Disproportionate effect across different regions and populations: Developing countries and
marginalized communities often bear a greater burden of climate impacts due to their vulnerability and
limited resources to adapt.
• Climate Migration and Displacement: Climate change-induced migration and displacement of people
leads to increased insecurity and impacts their dignity.
• Unequal distribution of responsibilities: Industrialized countries have historically contributed the most to
greenhouse gas emissions, which are the main drivers of climate change, the negative impacts of which are
faced by everyone.
• Climate Justice for Indigenous Peoples: Climate change threatens these lands and disrupts their
traditional ways of life.
• Technological Inequity: Access to climate-friendly technologies and clean energy solutions is not uniform
across countries and communities.
Potential Solutions
In order to help Member States and other stakeholders to make appropriate decisions and implement effective
policies, UNESCO adopted a Declaration of Ethical Principles in relation to Climate Change-
• Prevention of harm: To better anticipate the consequences of climate change and implement responsible
and effective policies to mitigate and adapt to climate change.
• Precautionary approach: To not postpone the adoption of measures to prevent or mitigate the adverse
effects of climate change on the grounds of a lack of definitive scientific evidence.
• Equity and justice: Respond to climate change in a way that benefits all, in the spirit of justice and equity.

• Sustainable development: Adopt new paths for development that make it possible to sustainably preserve
our ecosystems, while building a more just and responsible society that is more resilient to climate change.
• Solidarity: Support, individually and collectively, the people and groups most vulnerable to climate change
and natural disasters, particularly in the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing
States (SIDS).
• Scientific knowledge and integrity in decision-making: Strengthen the interface between science and
policy to optimally aid decision-making and the implementation of relevant long-term strategies, including
risk prediction.

7.8. COGNITIVE DISSONANCE

Introduction
48-year-old Dmitry Maltsev, who joined the rally in St. Petersburg was in two minds, whether to support his
country in these testing times or lean towards humanism for understanding the plight of the Ukrainian people.
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Such cognitive dissonance is not rare. People from all walks of life from public servants to businesspersons, all
face such dilemmas.

Concept of Cognitive Dissonance

• Cognitive Dissonance is generally defined as ‘the mental conflict or discomfort which occurs when a person
holds conflicting beliefs or when actions contradict their beliefs’.
• It can be of two types as-

o Anticipated Dissonance, i.e., expected wrongdoing before actual moral violation.

o Experienced Dissonance, i.e., a realization of wrongdoing or guilt after action.
• Following signs act as a marker to identify cognitive dissonance-
o Feeling uncomfortable before doing something or making a decision.
o Trying to justify or rationalize a decision that you've made or an action you have taken.
o Feeling embarrassed or ashamed about something you've done and trying to hide your actions from
other people.
o Experiencing guilt or regret about something you've done in the past.

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Ethical issues associated with Cognitive Dissonance
• Moral Dilemmas: When personal values clash with professional responsibilities, leading to internal
struggles.
• Impact on decision-making integrity: Individuals may rationalize or justify unethical actions to reduce the
discomfort caused by the inconsistency between their beliefs and actions.
• Erode trust and credibility: Individuals may engage in deception to reconcile the inconsistency between
their actions and values.
• Ethical Erosion in the long run: With prolonged exposure to cognitive dissonance, individuals may
gradually compromise their moral values, becoming desensitized to unethical behaviour.
• Social Impact: When large groups of people experience cognitive dissonance about social issues, it can
lead to polarized attitudes, intolerance, and hostility.
Potential Solutions
• Principle of cognitive consistency: At a personal level, such dissonance can be resolved through a change
of behaviour or reduced importance of cognition, by re-evaluating the cost-reward ratio attached to various
things, beliefs, and ideas.
• Recognition of the issue: At professional and higher levels, external interference is required in the form of
recognition of the issue and taking institutional steps to resolve it.
• Effective Leadership: In the public context, leaders, civil servants and experts should have the ability to
connect with people emotionally in order to find common ground in order to resolve any collective
cognitive dissonance that may be prevalent.

8. TEST YOUR LEARNING

1. Imagine yourself as a newly elected lawmaker. Your election campaign was significantly funded by a large
corporation, 'XYZ Industries', which is a major player in the your state's mining sector. Post-election, a bill
is introduced in the state legislature proposing relaxed environmental regulations for mining operations,
which would greatly benefit XYZ Industries but potentially harm the environment and local communities.
On the basis of the case study answer the following questions:
• What are the ethical dilemmas before you and who are the associated stakeholders?
• Evaluate the possible options before you.
• What would be your ideal course of action?
For reference- Ethics of Lawmakers

2. Recently, a judge of a Supreme Court has resigned from his post to contest election to the Lok Sabha. The
concerned judge was associated with major decisions which justified the actions of the government in
power. This raised the concerns from opposition parties regarding judicial propriety.
On the basis of the above case study, answer the following questions:
• Explain the ethical issues arising out of a Supreme Court judge joining a political party in power.
• Evaluate the arguments for and against judges joining politics, weighing the benefits and risks.
• Discuss the approaches that can be adopted to ensure balance between public trust in judicial institution
and actions of individual judges.
For reference- Political Ethics and Conflict of Interest

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3. Rahul works in Research and Development of a reputed pharma company. He is leading a project for
which clinical trials need to be conducted. Director of the company asked Rahul to conduct trials on
people living in a nearby slum without informing them about the risks associated with it. Rahul denied
doing it as it is against the law and his morals. But, the director instructs him to go through with the same,
stating that he need not worry about it.
On the basis of the case above, answer the following questions?
• Identify the ethical issues involved in the case?
• What options are available to Rahul?
• Which option should Rahul follow? Also discuss its merits and demerits.
For reference- Knowledge without Character

4. Self-driving cars have the potential to revolutionize transportation by reducing accidents, traffic
congestion, and fuel consumption. These vehicles use artificial intelligence and sensors to navigate
without human intervention, making real-time decisions based on their programming and data from their
surroundings. Imagine a scenario where an autonomous vehicle is driving down a busy urban street.
Suddenly, a child runs out onto the road, and the vehicle's sensors detect this. The AI in the car has to
make a split-second decision:
Option 1: The car can swerve to avoid the child but risk colliding with a group of pedestrians on the sidewalk,
potentially causing harm or death to multiple people.
Option 2: The car can continue on its path and hit the child, minimizing the risk to pedestrians on the sidewalk.
On the basis of the case study answer the following questions:
• What are the ethical considerations?
• What will be the possible option here and provide reasons for that?
For reference- AI and Human Rights

5. In 2017, Electronic Arts released a highly anticipated multiplayer game "Star Wars: Battlefront II". The
game allowed players to purchase loot boxes with real money, which contained items that could
significantly impact gameplay. The game's progression system was tied to loot boxes, impacting the

overall player experience. Also, these loot boxes were randomized, and players had no guarantee of
receiving desired items. This affected the gaming experience.
On the basis of the case, answer the following questions:
• What ethical concerns are evident in the above case study?
• Identify the elements of ethical design of such a game which enhances the overall user experience.
• How can it be ensured that online games focus on consumer protection?
For reference- Ethics of Online Gaming

6. A space company in the US is providing unique services in which human remains (ashes) are stored in an
Aluminium capsule and they are sent into orbit near the Moon. A native tribe in the US has raised concern
regarding the same. They argue that this would turn the Moon into a graveyard, impacting their religious
customs. On the other hand, the Company argues that, it is the individual’s right and choice as space is a
collective good.
Based on the given case study answer the given questions.
• Identify the ethical dilemmas associated with this case.
• If you are given the task to resolve the above issue as a government arbitrator, then whose argument
should be given Priority in your opinion-Company or the Native tribe?
For reference- Religious Beliefs and Evolving Scientific Advancements

7. A school in New Delhi implements an incentive program for promoting the value of education in the
students. Such incentive program awards the students achieving top ranks in specially designed tests of
all the subjects, which are conducted on monthly basis. Some students who are very good in some
subjects find it disincentivising as they cannot perform very good in overall subjects. This resulted in
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them losing interest in studies.

On the basis of case, answer the following questions:
• What are the ethical concerns associated with such incentive mechanisms?
• What factors determine that a program designed to bring behavioural changes produce intended
outcomes?
• What can be a more effective intervention for promotion of education in schools?
For reference- Ethics of Nudge

8. The government is providing a new type of health insurance cards of up to 5 lakhs. The program has the
potential to benefit a large section of society by providing them security via reducing the cost of health
and also promoting the right to health. While the program has been successful in protecting the poor,
critics argue that the increasing financial burden strains the government's budget, potentially limiting
resources for other essential services.
On the basis of the above case study, answer the following questions:
• Discuss various stakeholders and their interests involved.
• Discuss how the government can balance between bare necessities and scarce resources in such
situations.
For reference- Bare Necessities and Scarce Resources

9. In pursuing economic growth and development, many nations prioritize material prosperity over human
well-being and sustainable practices. This approach often overlooks the broader determinants of
happiness at individual, societal, and global levels.
In the context of above idea, answer the following questions:
• Analyze the potential conflicts between traditional measures of development (e.g., GDP) and the
multidimensional factors contributing to genuine happiness and flourishing.
• Propose a comprehensive framework that integrates economic, social, environmental, and ethical
considerations to guide global development efforts toward fostering sustainable happiness for all.
For reference- Happiness

10. Vijay is a rising social media influencer. Company X has hired him to advertise their newly launched
cosmetic product. Company is of view that by using influencer they will promote consumerism in the
society. For this they have paid him good amount. Also, this will play key role in changing his career. Later,
Vijay comes to know that product is not much effective as it was claimed in the advertisement. He thinks
to take legal action against company but his well-wisher suggest him to drop the idea of legal action as it
may harm its career.
On the basis of case study answer the following questions:
• Examine the ethical dilemma involved in the case.
• What are the options available with Vijay to cope with the situation?
• What ethical responsibility does celebrities/influencers have in preventing spread of consumerism?
For reference- Consumerism

11. You have recently joined as a Supply Chain Manager in a leading multinational company that deals with
paper production. Your company is making huge profits and receiving significant investments from
government and private investors. However, after a scrutiny of the company’s operations, you found out
that much of your raw material is illegally sourced from the forests of poor African countries. Further
investigation brought you to the conclusion that the sourcing of raw materials is done post severe
deforestation along with the displacement of the traditional tribal communities that reside and depend
on them. Upon discussing these findings with your colleagues, you realized that reporting or voicing
against the companies’ practices would be retaliated by way of providing harsh work conditions
ultimately leading to lay-off and tarnishing your image in the corporate fraternity to restrict further
employment opportunities. You are the sole bread winner of your family and personal circumstances do

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not allow you to your job.
On the basis of the case study answer the following questions:
• As a supply chain manager, what is your ethical responsibility towards different stakeholders involved?
Should you prioritize your personal circumstances and job security over reporting unethical practices?
• How can the company be held accountable for its unethical practices? What role can regulatory bodies,
investors, consumers, and civil society organizations play in ensuring corporate accountability and
ethical business practices?
• What course of action you should follow to foster a culture of ethical decision-making and corporate
social responsibility in your company? What steps can be taken to ensure that such unethical practices
are not repeated in the organisation?
For reference- Compassionate Capitalism

12. A reputed Indian Multinational food and drink processing conglomerate developed an international food
product. The company announced that it will soon launch the same product in African market.
Accordingly, the product got approved by competent authorities and was launched in African Market.
However, international investigations later found out that products in African market contained a cancer-
causing ingredient, violating the laid down Local food standards. This investigation adversely affected the
reputation and profitability of the food company. Also, this isn't first such case, numerous Indian food
products have previously been identified with cancer-causing agents in international markets.
On the basis of the case study answer the following questions:
• Examine the different stakeholders and ethical dilemmas involved in the case.
• What course of action is available with Food Company to resolve the crisis?
• What action should be taken by Indian authorities against the food company?
For reference- Ethics of Food Service and Safety

13. Vivek has recently graduated from a reputed Engineering College. He completed his education with the
help of an education loan. Along with his few friends, he started a start-up that used to manufacture
medical equipment. To sustain the business, a start-up needs big orders. Tarun‘s (one of the partners of

the start-up) relative is currently posted as a secretary in the Health Ministry of a State. The Secretary is
ready to help the start-up in getting contracts by providing confidential information on the on-going
bidding process of Contracts for procuring medical equipment. Tarun and a few other members are in
favour of using the opportunity while Vivek thinks that it is against ethical entrepreneurship.
Based on the given case study, answer the questions given below.
• Identify the ethical dilemma faced by Vivek and his partners.
• What approach should be followed by Vivek to deal with the situation?
For reference- Ethics and Entrepreneurship

14. You are CEO of a Fintech startup. Of late, there has been funding crunch in your industry which limits your
organization’s ability to hire more employees. However, organizational workload continues to expand and
existing workforce is already stretched, working for 10-11 hours, 6 days a week.
You explain this to the higher management, however, they highlight company’s inability to hire more and
indicate you to further distribute the surplus work burden on existing employees.
On the basis of the case study answer the following questions:
• What are the ethical dilemmas before you and who are the associated stakeholders?
• Evaluate the possible options before you.
• What would be your ideal course of action?
For reference- Labour Ethics and Long Work Hours

15. You are a professor in a reputed institution in the United States. You have been on the panel for recruiting
new Professors for your department. Accordingly, you have offered a tenured job to Mr. X based on merit.
However, the higher authorities of the University have decided to withdraw the job offer based on Mr. X’s
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tweets criticizing Israel. But considering a candidate’s personal opinions is not one of the criteria for job
allocation.
Based on the above case, answer the following questions:
1. What are the ethical issues associated with the above case?
2. As the member of the selection committee, what will be your response?
For reference- Ethical use of Social Media Platforms

16. In 2020, renowned Bollywood actor passed away. The cause of his death as per preliminary report was
asphyxia caused due to hanging. This incident was sensationalized by media. Experts on news channels
discussed what could be probable reason behind his death and who may be responsible for his death.
They even named certain personalities who may be responsible for actor’s death. This manipulated the
opinion of certain section of society.
On the basis of case answer the following questions:
• Identify the stakeholders and their interest.
• What are the ethical issues involved?
• How should media maintain delicate balance between freedom of press and individual rights of a person?
For reference- Ethics of Media Trial

17. Recently, a conflict broke out between Israel and Hamas in the Middle East. Continuous bombardments,
airstrikes and ground offensives have resulted in significant civilian casualties on both sides. The war has
divided the world with no end to hostilities in sight but with the increased challenges of food insecurity,
homelessness and poverty.
On the basis of the case, answer the following questions:
• Should morality be a concern in war?
• Who are the stakeholders and what are the ethical considerations associated with war?
• What principles should the parties involved follow to respect human life?
For reference- Ethics of War

18. A car accident occurred in the city of Delhi in India in which two employees of a local grocery store died.
In this case, the luxury car involved in the accident was being driven by teenager son of an influential real
estate businessman. Also, the person driving the car was under the influence of alcohol.
On hearing the case, the court immediately granted bail to the accused person with a warning while the
family of the teenage driver tried to pin the blame on family driver, offering him money. Later, during
investigation, it was found that doctors who conducted DNA testing replaced the teenage driver’s sample
with another person’s DNA samples. This demonstrated the influence of the family and tampering of the
evidence.
On the basis of the case study answer the following questions:
• Who are the different stakeholders associated with this case and what are the ethical dilemmas they
face?
• What can be possible ethical dilemmas the family of the accused must be facing and what would you do
if you were the brother of the accused?
For reference- Ethics of Punishment

19. You have been studying for a public examination for a considerable amount of time, but you have not
been successful in passing it by a very small margin. You were approached by a person who informed
you that he works at the examination centre for your upcoming exam. He said that he could provide you
with the key to a few questions in exchange for money. He stated that he has been engaging in this
activity for a considerable amount of time, and because he is doing it on a very small scale, he is never
caught. Hence, the likelihood of you being caught is likewise low.
On the basis of the case study answer the following questions:
• Identify the stakeholders and ethical concerns in the given situation.

MAINS 365 – ETHICS

• Evaluate the possible options available to you.
• What will be your ideal course of action?
For reference- Use Of Unfair Means (Cheating) In Public Examination)

20. A match between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka was ongoing during the cricket world cup match. During Sri
Lanka’s innings, Angelo Mathews walked up to the crease but realized something wrong with his helmet.
He asked for a replacement and as a man ran towards him with his helmet, Bangladesh bowler Shakib
appealed for a timed-out decision against Mathews. Shakib’s appeal was accepted and Mathews was
asked to go back to the pavilion.
On the basis of the case, answer the following questions:
• What are the ethical issues involved in the case?
• In reference to this case, is law and morality on the same ground?
• What factors determine the sportsmanship and sports ethics?
For reference- Ethics in Sports

21. Prerna, an entrepreneur, supports a local NGO that provides education and healthcare services to
underprivileged children. The support by the NGO is vital for survival and development of the
underprivileged community. However, the NGO is facing allegations of mismanagement and misuse of
funds. News articles and reports suggest that only a small portion of the donations is reaching the
intended beneficiaries, while a significant amount is being spent on administrative expenses and lavish
events.
On the basis of case, answer the following questions:
• What are the ethical dilemmas that Prerna faces?
• What can be the course of action for Prerna in this situation?
For reference- Individual Social Responsibility (ISR)

22. You are aspiring to become an IAS officer and you have cleared various stages of the examination and
now you have been called for the personality test. On the day of the interview, on the way to the venue
you saw an accident where a mother and child were badly injured.
On the basis of the case, answer the following questions:
• What would you have done in such a situation? Justify your action.
For reference- Good Samaritans

23. Bengaluru, a metropolitan hub, is grappling with the escalating number of stray dogs. Incidents of dog
bites, conflicts with residents, and concerns about safety have become commonplace. The rage amongst
the dogs is increasing among some groups of the citizens and caregivers who feed stray dogs are
becoming common target of violence. The administration is under pressure of clearing the streets of stray
dogs.
On the basis of case, answer the following questions:
• How can the administration strike a balance between ensuring public safety, especially in cases of dog
bites and conflicts, and upholding the compassionate treatment of stray dogs?
• What ethical considerations should guide the administration in engaging with the community to address
their concerns and seeking collaborative solutions to the stray dog issue?
For reference- Beyond Bites: Ethical Considerations in Stray Dogs Control
MAINS 365 – ETHICS

9. APPENDIX: PERSONALITIES- THEIR ETHICAL IDEAS

AND QUOTES

MAINS 365 – ETHICS

MAINS 365 – ETHICS

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without prior permission of Vision IAS.

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