UPSC Mains 2019 GS4 Q6 — Ethical Philosophers
What do each of the following quotations mean to you ? (a) “An unexamined life is not worth living”. – Socrates (150 words) (b) “A man is but a product of his thoughts. What he thinks he becomes.” – M. K. Gandhi (150 words) (c) “Where there is righteousness in the heart, there is beauty in the character. When there is beauty in the character, there is harmony in the home. When there is harmony in the home, there is order in the nation. When there is order in the nation, there is peace in the world.” – A. P. J. Abdul Kalam (150 words)
Question Decoded — examiner's intent
- Directive verbs
- mean to you
- Scope keywords
- unexamined lifeworth livingproduct of his thoughtswhat he thinks he becomesrighteousness in the heartorder in the nation
- Implicit sub-parts
- Interpretation of the core philosophical premise of each quote.
- The process/mechanism through which the internal state (thoughts/examination/righteousness) manifests into external reality.
- Application of the quote in contemporary administrative or personal ethics.
- Counter-perspective or limitations (e.g., the struggle of thought vs. action).
- Common pitfalls
- Writing a biographical summary of Socrates, Gandhi, or Kalam instead of analyzing the quote.
- Treating the three quotes as a single essay; each requires a distinct 150-word response as per the 10x3 marks structure.
- Failing to provide concrete examples, resulting in a purely abstract or 'preachy' philosophical lecture.
- Ignoring the 'to you' part of the prompt, which invites personal reflection and professional application.
- Dimensions required
- Ethical/MoralIntrospective/PsychologicalSociological/CommunalGovernance/AdministrativeGlobal/Universal
- Marks allocation hint
Each quote should be treated as a standalone 10-mark sub-question. Spend 30-40 words on conceptual interpretation, 80-90 words on multi-dimensional application (personal, professional, and societal levels), and a 20-word concluding thought on its relevance to a civil servant's integrity.
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