Comprehensive Practice Set - Ethics Theory: Indian Thinkers & Reformers

Dr. B. R. Ambedkar had cautioned that employing civil disobedience within a constitutional democracy equates to endorsing 'anarchy'. How should modern democracies navigate the ethical dilemmas posed by civil disobedience movements that aim to promote social justice against policies that may raise genuine concerns?

In what ways can an Indian Administrative Officer apply Gandhi's notion of 'trusteeship' to ensure fairness in governance?

"Those who in trouble untroubled are, Will trouble trouble itself." — Thiruvalluvar

What are the major teachings of Mahavir? Explain their relevance in the contemporary world.

"The strength of a society is not in its laws, but in the morality of its people." — Swami Vivekananda

"Learn everything that is good from others, but bring it in, and in your own way absorb it, do not become others." — Swami Vivekananda

"Faith is of no avail in the absence of strength. Faith and strength, both are essential to accomplish any great work." — Sardar Patel

"I will give you a talisman... Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest man..." — Mahatma Gandhi. Discuss the role of a public servant in a welfare state.

What were the major teachings of Guru Nanak? Explain their relevance in the contemporary world.

"The simplest acts of kindness are by far more powerful than a thousand heads bowing in prayer." — Mahatma Gandhi

"To awaken the people, it is the women who must be awakened... the family moves, the village moves, the nation moves." — Jawaharlal Nehru

"Do not hate anybody, because that hatred... will come back to you. If you love, that love will come back to you." — Swami Vivekananda

"If a country is to be corruption free... three key societal members... father, mother and teacher." — APJ Abdul Kalam

"Every work has got to pass through hundreds of difficulties before succeeding. Those that persevere will see the light." — Swami Vivekananda

What teachings of Buddha are most relevant today and why? Discuss.

What are the main factors responsible for gender inequality in India? Discuss the contribution of Savitribai Phule.

"Condemn none: if you can stretch out a helping hand do so. If not, fold your hands, bless your brothers." — Swami Vivekanand

"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in service of others." — Mahatma Gandhi

"A man is but the product of his thoughts. What he thinks, he becomes." — M.K. Gandhi

"Where there is righteousness in the heart, there is beauty in the character... there is peace in the world." — APJ Abdul Kalam

"Falsehood takes the place of truth when it results in unblemished common good." — Tirukkural

"Anger and intolerance are the enemies of correct understanding." — Mahatma Gandhi

"If a country is to be corruption free... there are three key societal members who can make a difference. They are father, mother and teacher." — APJ Abdul Kalam. Analyse.

"Great ambition is the passion of a great character." — Napoleon Bonaparte. Mention rulers who have harmed society and who worked for development.

Discuss Mahatma Gandhi's concept of seven sins.

Analyse John Rawls's concept of social justice in the Indian context.

Corruption causes misuse of government treasury, administrative inefficiency and obstruction in national development. Discuss Kautilya's views.

"The weak can never forgive; forgiveness is the attribute of strong." — Mahatma Gandhi

"We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light."

"There is enough on this earth for every one's need but for no one's greed." — Mahatma Gandhi

"I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who overcomes his enemies." — Aristotle

"Nearly all men can withstand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." — Abraham Lincoln

"Integrity without knowledge is weak and useless, but knowledge without integrity is dangerous and dreadful."

"Human beings should always be treated as 'ends' in themselves and never as merely 'means'."

"In looking for people to hire, you look for three qualities: integrity, intelligence and energy. And if they do not have the first, the other two will kill you." — Warren Buffett

"The true rule, in determining to embrace, or reject anything, is not whether it has any evil in it; but whether it has more evil than good." — Abraham Lincoln

"An unexamined life is not worth living." — Socrates

"A system of morality which is based on relative emotional values is a mere illusion." — Socrates

"We can never obtain peace in the outer world until and unless we obtain peace within ourselves." — Dalai Lama

"Life doesn't make any sense without interdependence. We need each other." — Erik Erikson

"Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it." — Dalai Lama

"In law, a man is guilty when he violates the rights of others. In ethics, he is guilty if he only thinks of doing so." — Immanuel Kant

Shakespeare in Henry IV says, "The arms are fair when the intent of bearing them is just". What ethical implications does this have in governance?

"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts." — Bertrand Russell. Examine the importance of open-mindedness and intellectual humility for a public servant.

"Laws are like cobwebs, which may catch small flies, but let wasps and hornets break through." — Jonathan Swift. Examine in light of fair, just and egalitarian society.

"It is forbidden to kill; therefore all murderers are punished unless they kill in large numbers and to sound of trumpets." — Voltaire. Discuss whether war as state policy can be justified.

"Rational and autonomous human beings are always treated as 'ends' in themselves but not as 'means'." — Explain with implications for modern technocratic society.