Think Learn & Perform (TLP): GS Mains Synopsis [Day 9]

TLP: GS Mains Synopsis [Day 9]

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Day 9 – Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude

Q.1) Explain with examples the different components of attitude and how they affect the overall behaviour of a person.

The Top Answer for this question is written by – Meera Kelkar

Ans) Attitude defines action. All humans actions are based on attitude, like a human body which follows the brain. But like different processes in a body, there are different components of attitude which defines it.

We would have encountered bullying. When we think of the bully or see him ,it sends shivers down the spine, or a sense of repulsiveness. This is emotional reaction towards the attitude object, here the bully. This is the “Affective component” of attitude. This type of attitude is used to express and validate our belief; positive,negative or neutral.

Now, suppose we encounter the bully, what would be our reaction? We would run away. This attitude towards him is either out of our previous personal encounter with him, or with some other bully. This is the behavioural reaction towards the attitude object and is called the ” Behavioural component” of attitude. Only this component of attitude is “visible”, while others can only be inferred.

The third part deals with the stories we have heard about the bully, or the general trepidation about bullies. We avoid him as possible as we can. This attitude is partly based on our information and beliefs about bullies , and is the informational or ” Cognitive component” of attitude. Here it makes little difference if the information is correct or incorrect.

The above model is known as the “ABC Model of attitude”. Although every attitude has these three components, any particular attitude can be based on one component more than another.

Q.2) “Beliefs, values and attitudes are different but are related to each other.” Explain.

The Top Answer for this question is written by – Richa Shukla

Ans) Beliefs and values define our attitude or sometimes our attitude leads to corresponding beliefs and actions.

A belief is an idea that a person holds as being true, can be same or different. Everyone tries to evaluate his or her belief. Values are stable long-lasting beliefs about what is important to a person, such as honesty, integrity, lawfulness,impartiality, accountability etc. It helps people to make choices and take decisions. Attitudes are views of a person, place, things or event based on experiences, emotions or prejudice.

All the three originate differently, but together forms the basis of our behaviour.

Decisions within an organisation are value based and proper identifications of values helps a public servant to understand why certain decisions are taken and why some are not.

With increasing demand on the public service, factors like desire to please and political correctness do influence one’s attitude, without being a belief or value. There arise a conflict of values and are higher when someone is not clear about his beliefs. It further leads to ethical and decision making dilemmas, affects team spirit and public opinion.

It, therefore becomes a paramount role of the Public Service to cover all developmental goals by placing a balance between values and beliefs and approaching it with right attitude to be harnessed for the common good.

Q.3) Devyansh is a young man who has grown up in a religions family. His familt has been practising religious rituals and organising sermons as well as discourses on holy books like the Ramayana and Bhagwad Geeta at the community level also. However, apart from ritualistic learning of the religious scriptures, his parents never encourage him to understand or follow the essential meaning, message and ideas of the scriptures. All that he has been told is to prepare himself for success in a cut-throat competitive world. His philosophical dissection, creative explorations and interest in humanitarian values are discouraged and even ridiculed by his parents as well as by his peer group. Parents are anxious about his examination results and career, so they motivate him to focus on material goals. His peers also talk about the pulls and pressures of a competitive world and the charms of material attainments and sensuous enchantments.

In the world of material rat-race, Devyansh is told that only success mattes and the question of means or ethics and morality are irrelevant. Devyansh is an introvert person with a philosophical bent of mind and wants to understand the conflicting influences – religion practices as ritualistic tokenism at home, socialisation with family, institutions and peer group as primary agents expecting him to chase material success and his own though process making him to contemplate about the world around.

Q) What do you think should be the core ideas driving Devyansh’s actions and value system? Is it necessary for him to define his ethics in terms of different expectations from him or should he carve the path he naturally belongs to? Justify your views.

The Top Answer for this question is written by – Manpreet Kaur Mankoo

Ans) The situation of Devyansh as described in the given scenario is very much similar to that of Arjuna described in Bhagwad Geeta. Like Arjun, he finds himself in an intense dilemma between the family whom he love, community, institutions, peers whom he respect and his own quest for understanding the world around, for morality, for ethical values, for right and wrong. Just as Lord Krishna lead Arjuna through victory by being his charioteer, in the same way, the message inspired from Bhagwad Geeta should form the base for driving Devyansh’s actions and value system. That is:

-To rise above goodness, ignorance- for allowing him to not bother about others’ expectations of him

-Self realization- for attending to and exploring his philosophical thoughts and creativity

-Fight for your right as your duty- for persuading and helping him in speaking out (him being an introvert)

-Righteousness- for showing him the moral and ethical path

-Follow path of selfless service- for encouraging him to act on his humanitarian thoughts

-Should not waver from duty- For preventing him from getting weak and straying from his actions

Therefore, Devyansh should listen to his inner self that is constantly trying to call out to him doing which will help him in understanding the conflicts around him. He should definitely carve out a way he naturally belongs to.