UPSC Mains 2017 GS4 Q7 — Ethical Values
(a) The crisis of ethical values in modern times is traced to a narrow perception of the good life. Discuss. (150 words) (b) Increased national wealth did not result in equitable distribution of its benefits. It has created only some "enclaves of modernity and prosperity for a small minority at the cost of the majority." Justify. (150 words)
Question Decoded — examiner's intent
- Directive verbs
- DiscussJustify
- Scope keywords
- crisis of ethical valuesnarrow perception of the good lifenational wealthequitable distributionenclaves of modernity and prosperitysmall minority at the cost of the majority
- Implicit sub-parts
- Critique of 'Good Life' as mere materialism/consumerism versus eudaimonia.
- Mechanism of how individualism and competition lead to value erosion (e.g., integrity, empathy).
- Analysis of the structural barriers and cronyism that create economic enclaves.
- Evaluation of the socio-ethical consequences of the 'cost of the majority' (marginalization, environmental degradation).
- Common pitfalls
- Treating Part (a) as a general essay on corruption rather than linking it specifically to the definition of 'good life'.
- Failing to use GS4 ethical terminology like hedonism, utilitarianism, or social justice in Part (b).
- Writing a purely economic answer for Part (b) without addressing the moral crisis of inequality.
- Missing the causal link between the minority's prosperity and the majority's loss (the 'zero-sum' aspect).
- Dimensions required
- Ethical/PhilosophicalSocio-EconomicEnvironmental SustainabilityConstitutional/Distributive JusticeGlobal-Local (Glocal) perspective
- Marks allocation hint
For 10 marks per sub-question, allocate 75 words each. In Part (a), use 25 words on defining the 'narrow good life' and 50 words on the resulting ethical crisis. In Part (b), spend 20 words acknowledging the growth-equity gap and 55 words justifying the 'enclave' and 'cost' arguments with examples.
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