Comprehensive Practice Set - Ethics Theory: Western Thinkers & Philosophers

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?

Carl von Clausewitz once said, "War is a diplomacy by other means." Critically analyse in present context of contemporary geo-political conflict.

"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.

"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

Kant has given three formulations of the categorical imperative... Explicate these three in the context of civil servants.

With suitable examples, elucidate both positive and negative sides of consequentialist ethics, if exclusively followed for governance.

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

"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

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

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

"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

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

Max Weber said that it is not wise to apply to public administration the sort of moral and ethical norms we apply to matters of personal conscience. Critically analyse.

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

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

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

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