Concept of Good and Virtue, Good governance

Concept of Good and Virtue & Good Governance In the subject of Ethics, the ideas of good and virtue form the foundation of individual character and moral conduct. When applied to governance, these principles ensure just, transparent, and people-centric administration, promoting the overall well-being of society.

Previous Year Questions

YearQuestionMarks
2016Write the view of Kant on ‘Good will’. 5M
2016Discuss the increasing role of civil society in governance. 10M
2021Explain Kant’s ultimate good on the basis of relative and categorical imperative.5M

Concept of Good

  • The word ‘Good’ is derived from the German word ‘Gut’ which means anything valuable or useful.
  • In ethics the word ‘good’ is used to express moral qualities.

Two Types –

Concept of Good and Virtue, Good governance
  • Relative good – It is a kind of good as a means i.e it is not desired for itself but for the sake of a higher end or good.
  • Absolute good – It is desired for its own sake and is not subordinate to any superior good. It is the ultimate end of human activity.
    • Eg. – Relative good – Good nutrition, exercise etc. Absolute good – Good health
    • Eg. – Relative good – Disciplined self study. Absolute good – Getting selected in exam
    • Eg. – Relative good – Dharm, Artha and kaam. Absolute good – Moksha [Hindu Dharma]
    • Eg. – Relative good – Intellectual pleasure Absolute good – Happiness [Aristotle’s summum bonum]

Virtue

  • The word ‘virtue’ is derived from Latin ‘Vir’ which means a hero.
  • It corresponds to the Sanskrit word Virya, meaning manliness, bravery, power, energy, or excellence.
  • Hence, Virtue refers to the inner character and its excellence.

Virtue according to different philosophers

Krishna (Geeta) – 

Sthithpragyta, Nishkam Karma, Yoga (bhakti, Gyaan, Karma etc) makes one’s inner character excellent and hence essential virtues.

Socrates – 

Knowledge is the only virtue and ignorance is the only vice.

Plato – 

Wisdom, courage, Temperance and justice are 4 Cardinal Virtues

Aristotle – 

Happiness and virtue go together. Summum Bonum i.e happiness is the highest virtue. This happiness must come from intellectual pleasures and philosophical contemplation

Buddha – 

Dhamma is the true virtue and various ways like 8 fold paths, madhyam marg are means to achieve this virtue

Mahavira – 

Virtues like 5 Mahavrata (Satya, Ahimsa, Bramhcharya, Asteya and Aparigraha), Ratnatraya (Samyak darshan, Samyak Jnana, Samyak charitra), Forgiveness (Micchami dukkadam) and  self discipline and knowledge (Jina)

Immanuel Kant – 

Virtue is the fortitude of will to fulfill one’s duties despite internal and external obstacles

John Rawls – 

Virtues of fairness, impartiality, non discrimination or positive discrimination, equity and justice

Jeremy Bentham – 

Virtue is the greatest happiness/pleasure of greatest number [Utilitarianism]

James Mills – 

Virtues (like kindness, honesty, benevolence, and justice) are those qualities of character that tend to produce happiness, both for the individual and for society as a whole

Epicureanism – 

Virtues are not an end itself , but rather means to achieve happiness and tranquility in life

John Locke – 

Virtues involve acting in accordance with reason and natural law, respecting and upholding the rights and freedoms/liberty of others and fulfilling obligations towards the society

Confucius – 

“Five Constants” or the “Five Virtues,” which includes – Ren (compassion or kindness), Yi (Justice/fairness/equity), Li (maintaining harmony and order in interpersonal relationships and society), Zhi (wisdom or knowledge) and Xin (Credibility/trust)

Thomas Hobbes – 

Virtue, according to Hobbes, involves obedience to political authority, adherence to laws, and behaviors that contribute to the stability and security of society (Social contract theory)

Voltaire – 

Voltaire believed that true virtue lies in the exercise of reason and the pursuit of knowledge, rather than blind adherence to dogma or tradition. Voltaire also valued virtues such as tolerance and compassion. He advocated for religious tolerance

Chankya –

Virtues like temperance (self control), integrity (Against corruption), fortitude, humility, donation (Philanthropy) etc

Shankaracharya – 

According to Shankaracharya’s teachings in Advaita Vedanta spiritual growth, self-realization and Gyaan yoga are essential virtues to realize the non-dual nature of reality

Kabir – 

As depicted in his writings (Dohas), inner purity, love, devotion to the divine, compassion and selflessness are core virtues

Nanak – 

Naam Simran (meditating upon the divine name), Seva (Selfless Service), Equality (regardless of caste, creed, gender, or social status) and Santokh (Contentment) are the virtues of Sikhism as depicted by Guru Nanak

Vivekananda – 

Virtue involves living a life of fearlessness, truthfulness, unselfishness, purity of heart, and service to humanity, guided by the principles of Vedanta philosophy

Good governance

  • Governance is the exercise of political, economic and administrative authority to manage a country’s affairs at all levels.
  • Good governance – Good governance is the governance with principles like responsiveness, equitability and inclusiveness, decentralization , consensus oriented, accountability, rule of law, participation, efficiency and transparency.
  • Ethical Governance – Governance with ethical values embedded like integrity, transparency, service attitude, empathy etc.
Concept of Good and Virtue, Good governance
Concept of Good and Virtue, Good governance
  • Responsiveness – Jan Sampak portal, CPGRAM (Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System), etc 
  • Decentralization – Different units of governance like local government (Panchayati raj and urban local bodies), federalism, etc
  • Consensus-oriented decision-making – My Gov App to invite decision of citizens, Gram sabha meetings, Ratri chaupals etc 
  • Accountability – Towards the constitution of India, Citizens, seniors and govt in power
  • Rule of law – Ensuring equality of law and equal protection of law [Article 14] 
  • Efficiency – Ensured through ACR report (ANNUAL CONFIDENTIAL REPORTS), Biometric attendance, Performance-based appraisal etc 
  • Transparency – Ensured by laws like RTI, Social audit, Govt audit and Internal audit

Citizen Charter

  • A citizen’s charter is a document that outlines the commitment of an organization to its citizens in terms of services quality, standard, timely delivery, accessibility, affordability, information, grievance redress mechanism [SST AAI GRM]
  • Elements –
    • Vision and Mission Statement
    • Details of business transacted by the organization
    • Details of clients
    • Details of services provided to each client group
    • Details of grievance redress mechanism and how to access it
    • Expectations from the clients

Concept of Good and Virtue & Good governance / Concept of Good and Virtue & Good governance

error: Content is protected !!
Scroll to Top