Ethics Case Studies help in understanding real-life applications of moral principles and decision-making frameworks. In the subject of Ethics, these case studies serve as valuable tools to analyze complex situations, evaluate actions, and develop ethical reasoning skills for both personal and professional life.
How to solve a case study
- Note – Give equal weightage to each question For example 1 page for 3 questions then 1/3rd page for each question
- Note 2 – Try to break solution in short term and long term and justify your solution
How to justify solution in ethical terms
- Want to give maximize benefit – Take help of Jeremy Bentham
- Accept the short term suffering – Take help of Aristotle
- Focus on intellectual pleasure rather than life of wealth and glory – Aristotle
- Want to be unbiased while taking a decision –
- Remember John Rawl
- Sacrificing your happiness/comfort for duty? – Remember Geeta (Pandavas) /Quran (Prophet Ibrahim – His son ) /Bible (Jesus Christ – His life)
- Use theories of Socrates, Pluto, Aristotle, Jeremy bentham, john Rawl, James mill, Epicureanism, Machaivelli, Locke, Confucius, Thomas hobbes, Voltaire, Krishna, Buddha, Mahavir, Chankya ,Shankaracharya, Kabir, Nanak, Meera, Vivekananda, Gandhi, Bhagat singh, Subhash Bose, Rabindranath, Ambedkar, Raja ram……
- For eg, Devotion to duty is the highest form of worship – Vivekananda
- Use of legal and constitutional rights
How to deny an act
- Unbecoming act by an officer [अशोभनीय कृत्य]
- Would open a pandora’s box
- An eye for an eye would make the whole world blind
- Would set a bad precedent
- Confiscation of property, tarnishing the image, Losing post, Jail term etc (These are practical ones)
- Hedonistic tendencies are slippery slopes
Ethical terminologies to use
- Cognitive dissonance
- Inner turmoil
- Amount to dereliction of duty
- Poor work culture
- Bad precedent
- Cascading effect
- Tarnishing the image
- Two wrongs don’t make a right
- Against voice of conscience
- Outside the democratic framework
- An eye for eye
- Digression from the real objective
Out of box solutions
- Compensation to bereaved family
- CSR Platform
- Crowdfunding
- Social media
- Counseling
- Ambulance on standby mode
- Following the SOP
- Visit the site
- Take orders in written
- Hospitalize the victim
- Ex gratia
- Press meet
- Fair and independent investigation
- Show cause notice
- Bona Fide action
- Use of emotional intelligence
Let’s apply all the above points in a case study
Sunil is a young civil servant and has a reputation for his competence, integrity, dedication and relentless pursuit of difficult and onerous jobs. Considering his profile, he was picked up by his bosses to handle a very challenging and sensitive assignment. He was posted in a tribal dominated district notorious for illegal sand mining. Excavating sand from the river belt and transporting it through trucks and selling them in black market was rampant. This illegal sand mining mafia was operating with the support of local functionaries and tribal musclemen who in turn were bribing selected poor tribals and had kept the tribals under fear and intimidation.
Sunil being a sharp and energetic officer immediately grasped the ground realities and the modus operandi followed by the mafia through their devious and dubious mechanism. On making inquiries, he gathered that some of their own office employees are hand in glove with them and have developed a close unholy nexus.
Sunil initiated stringent action against them and started conducting raids on their illegal operations of movement of trucks filled with sand. The mafia got rattled as not many officers in the past had taken such steps against the mafia. Some of the office employees who were allegedly close to the mafia informed them that the officer is determined to clean up the mafia’s illegal sand mining operations in that district and may cause them irreparable damage.
The mafia turned hostile and launched a counter-offensive. The tribal muscle men and mafia started threatening him with dire consequences. His family (wife and old mother) were stalked and were under virtual surveillance and thus causing mental torture, agony and stress to all of them. The matter assumed serious proportions when a muscle man came to his office and threatened him to stop raids, etc., otherwise, his fate will not be different from some of his predecessors (ten years back one officer was killed by the mafia)
- Identify the different options available to Sunil in attending to this situation.
- Critically evaluate each of the options listed by you.
- Which of the above, do you think, would be the most appropriate for Sunil to adopt and why? (Answer in 250 words)
First highlighted the important information
Sunil is a young civil servant and has a reputation for his competence, integrity, dedication and relentless pursuit of difficult and onerous jobs. Considering his profile, he was picked up by his bosses to handle a very challenging and sensitive assignment. He was posted in a tribal dominated district notorious for illegal sand mining. Excavating sand from the river belt and transporting it through trucks and selling them in black market was rampant. This illegal sand mining mafia was operating with the support of local functionaries and tribal musclemen who in turn were bribing selected poor tribals and had kept the tribals under fear and intimidation.
Sunil being a sharp and energetic officer immediately grasped the ground realities and the modus operandi followed by the mafia through their devious and dubious mechanism. On making inquiries, he gathered that some of their own office employees are hand in glove with them and have developed a close unholy nexus.
Sunil initiated stringent action against them and started conducting raids on their illegal operations of movement of trucks filled with sand. The mafia got rattled as not many officers in the past had taken such steps against the mafia. Some of the office employees who were allegedly close to the mafia informed them that the officer is determined to clean up the mafia’s illegal sand mining operations in that district and may cause them irreparable damage.
The mafia turned hostile and launched a counter-offensive. The tribal muscle men and mafia started threatening him with dire consequences. His family (wife and old mother) were stalked and were under virtual surveillance and thus causing mental torture, agony and stress to all of them. The matter assumed serious proportions when a muscle man came to his office and threatened him to stop raids, etc., otherwise, his fate will not be different from some of his predecessors (ten years back one officer was killed by the mafia)
Intro or Problem statement
Either connect it with some recent incident like in above question can quote SC decision regarding ban on sand mining
Or
Summarize the case study – Like this case study represent the dilemma of an integral civil servant to have a judicious balance between professional life and personal life and yet not letting the wrong thing happen
Or
Some relevant quote (Quote should be highly relevant as it summarize the whole case study/situation) like in above case – “Life can’t sustain without suffering, great challenges makes one’s life fulfilling and worth living” – Geeta
Or
Some GS intro like in above case, one can mention Article 48 of DPSP – The State shall endeavor to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country
Or
Some slogans – Kosh Mulo Dandah (Revenue is the backbone of administration) or “Swadharme Nidhanam Shrey” – Geeta says to even encounter death, while performing one’s own duties (Dharma), is truly divine.
List all stakeholders
- Sunil
- Sunil’s family
- Sand mafia
- Poor tribals
- Tribal muscleman
- Office employee
- Officer who was killed
- Sunil’s Boss
Different options available to Sunil
Option 1: Become the part of the nexus
- Positive –
- No confrontation with goons, tribals and office employees
- Negative –
- Environmental degradation (Environmental ethics)
- Loss of trust among seniors
- Loss of reputation (Quote Geeta here)
- Hedonistic tendencies are slippery slopes – Confiscation of property or even jail in long term
Option 2: Ignore and Let the sand mining continue
- Positive –
- Protection of family and self
- Negative –
- Dereliction from duty
- Against Geeta’s Svadharma
- Against voice of conscience – Unrest (Cognitive dissonance)
Option 3: Direct confrontation
- Positive – Clear message to sand goons
- Negative –
- Chances of failure of mission as office employees involved
- Might lose life and family’s peace (Personal life vs Public life) and (principle vs preservation)
- Resistance by tribals
Option 4: Integrated approach
- Positive –
- Use of technology to track movement of trucks [Google earth]
- Use of technology to break nexus b/w office employees and sand mafia [Satellite phones, Biometrics etc]
- Awareness campaign among poor tribes regarding harms of sand mining
- Curbing the black market
- Keep seniors updated about the situation – Security Force and other resources on standby if required
- Selecting trusted and integral office employees for the task
- If possible, Shifting family to the safe place for the time being
- Being in touch with local politicians and youth
- Opening file of deceased officer
- Taking help of media
- Negative –
- Time taking
- Requires 24*7 monitoring and hard work – Hectic working hours
Which is most appropriate option
Last option (Integrated approach) is most important because –
- In accordance with Swadharma
- Integrated approaches means using the principle of utilitarianism (Greatest good for the greatest number)
- Thinking about the long term benefit of tribal poor means following the principle of Antyodaya (Mahatma Gandhi)
- Use of technology [Fundamental duty, Article 51 A to inculcate scientific temper]
- Respecting the Article 48 – Environmental conservation by state
- Use of emotional intelligence – Taking help of both law and tribal youth
- Accepting the short term suffering for long term gain [Life cant sustain without suffering [Aristotle]
- Doing duty diligently [Devotion to duty is the highest form of worship – Vivekananda]
- It would make sunil content [Clear conscience is the softest pillow…Cognitive consistency Theory ]
If asked about Ethical Issues involved
- Violation of any constitutional article (Like FR, IPC, CrPC, act, law, rules, regulations (like code of conduct) etc
- Violation of any ethical value – Lack of sympathy (Apathy), compassion, accountability, objectivity, Integrity, corruption, loyalty, rationality, Humanistic values, humility, justice, modesty etc
- Against the saying of any personality and moral thinkers.
- Like in case of corruption – Wealth without work is a sin according to Gandhiji.
- Similarly non-compliance of duty is Adharma according to Vivekananda
- Use of applied ethics –
- In above case, violation of social ethics (By the tribal musclemen), work ethics (By employees of the organization) and environmental ethics (River bed damage). Similarly use Medical ethics, sports ethics, environmental ethics, media ethics, Bioethics, business ethics etc
- Use of syllabus terms – like work culture, foundational values, Role of society, Attitude, Aptitude, EI, Corporate governance, Ethical governance, Utilization of public fund…. For example in the above question. Society (Poor tribal) were involved in the illegal thing – Hence negative role.
- Use of slogans – This is against the philosophy of Vasudev kutumbakam (Some IR case) , Nishkaam karma (Duty of civil servant case), Sarva dharma sambhav (Communal riots case), Satyamev jayate, Sheelam param bhushanam etc.
- For example in above case study – the conduct by the musclemen is against philosophy of “Maa Gridha Kasyasvidhanam” i.e (never have greed on inappropriate wealth)
For example, Ethical issues in below case study
You are Vice Principal of a degree college in one of the middle – class towns. Principal has recently retired and management is looking for his replacement. There are also feelers that the management may promote you as Principal. In the meantime, during the annual examination the flying squad from the university caught two students red-handed involving unfair means. A senior lecturer of the college was personally helping these students in this act. This senior lecturer also happens to be close to the management. One of the students was the son of a local politician who was responsible for getting the college affiliated to the present reputed university. The second student was the son of a local businessman who has donated maximum funds for running the college.
You immediately informed the management regarding this unfortunate incident. The management told you to resolve the issue with the flying squad at any cost. They further said that such incidents will not only tarnish the image of the college but also the politicians and businessmen are very important personalities for the functioning of the college. You were also given a hint that your further promotion to Principal depends on your capability in resolving this issue with the flying squad. In the meantime, you were intimidated by your administrative officer that certain members of the student union are protesting outside the college gate against the senior lecturer and the students involved in this incident and demanding strict action against defaulters.
Discuss the ethical issues involved in the case.
Stakeholders involved
- Myself
- Post of principle
- Flying squad
- 2 Students
- Management
- Senior lecturer
- Politician
- Businessman
- Student union
Ethical issues Involved
Answer –
- Cheating – Against the laws like The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024
- Senior lecturer helping – Against educational ethics [Bad culture]
- Against values like efficiency (of management), accountability (Of administration), transparency and objectivity (for the post of principal), Integrity, empathy (Towards other students) etc
- Violation of Gandhi’s Sin –
- Knowledge without character (Students passing the exam)
- Politics without principles ( Politician Father of the students) and business without morality
- (Businessman father) are sin according to Gandhiji
- Conflict of interest –
- For the post of vice president
- Fathers donation for the school
- Nexus between Senior lecturer and management
- Violation of Svadharma by Senior lecturer, Management and father
- Article 29, Article 45 – Equal educational opportunity for all children
Option available
Option 1: Ignore the issue and get promoted
- Positive –
- Short term gains like better salary
- Negative –
- Would open a pandora’s box
- Cascading effect
- Would set a bad precedent
- Loss of trust among other students
Option 2: Direct confrontation
- Positive –
- A strong message to students and management
- Negative –
- Bad work culture
- Two wrongs don’t make it right
- Might hang the sword on the very existence of school
- Digression from the real objective (Real objective is quality education and not revenge)
Option 3: Holistic approach
- Short term solutions –
- Take orders of management in written
- Demanding Fair and independent investigation from flying squad
- Taking student union in confidence, clear communication and transparency in the matter
- Meeting with politician and businessman – Counting them the long term harm
- Long term solutions –
- Resignation as last resort – showcasing the moral uprightness [Sacrifice for the greater good]
- Taking help of print media to highlight the issue [greater good of school]
- Acknowledging the matter to department of district education
Justification of last option
I will choose the last option because –
- Means and end both are taken care of – Mahatma Gandhi
- Successfully avoided the conflict of interest [Cognitive consistency]
- Short term harms like threats, loss of job can be justified as Aristotle says – Life can’t sustain without suffering
- Last option follows the principle of natural justice. being in the position of power, I need to apply the principle of veil of ignorance [John Rawl] and treat all students as same
- The last option matches my value system – Clear conscience is the softest pillow
Ethics case studies : Case Study UPSC 2024
With the summer heat being exceptionally severe this year, the district has been facing severe water shortage. The District Collector has been mobilizing his subordinate officials to conserve the remaining water reserves for preventing the district from plunging into an acute drinking water crisis.
Along with an awareness campaign for conserving water, strict measures have been taken for stopping the over-exploitation of ground-water. Vigilance teams have been deployed to tour the villages and find the farmers who are drawing water from deep borewells or from the river reservoir for irrigation. The farmers are agitated by such action. A delegation of farmers meets the District Collector with their issues and complains that while they are not being allowed to irrigate their crops, big industries located near the river are drawing huge amounts of water through deep borewells for their industrial processes.
The farmers allege that their administration is anti-farmer and corrupt, being bribed by the industry. The district needs to placate the farmers as they are threatening to go on a prolonged protest. At the same time, the District Collector has to deal with the water crisis. The industry cannot be closed as this would result in a large number of workers being unemployed.
(a) Discuss all options available to the District Collector as a District Magistrate.
(b) What suitable actions can be taken in view of mutually compatible interests of the stakeholders?
(c) What are the potential administrative and ethical dilemmas for the District Collector?
Intro
This case study present the dilemma of economic development (Industry) vs sustainability (Judicious use of water) as well as public trust (Farmers perception of bias).
Stakeholders involved
- District Collector
- Farmers
- Industrial units
- Local population (drinking water needs)
- Government (state & central)
- Laborers dependent on industries
- Environmental/ecological interests
- Media and civil society
(a) Options available
- Ignoring the farmers interest – This would amount to further distrust among farmers and public agitation
- Shutting down the industries for temporary period – Show-cause notice to industries = Unemployed youth might create nuisance, not a long term solution
- Ignoring the bribe allegation by the farmers – Violation of principle of natural justice (As both side are not being heard)
- Showcasing of ethical values like Empathy, Fairness, commitment to public good and public trust –
- Having a detailed conversation with the farmers delegation and assuring them of right action
- Immediate press meet to clarify that the administration is neutral, transparent, and acting fairly
- Showcasing of Administrative values like Accountability, transparency and equity – Appointing an audit officer for industrial water uses, showing the reports to farmers delegation and ensuring that farmers have equal right on water as industries
- Solving the ethical dilemmas of economic vs environmental interest – consultation with technical bodies to adapt best agriculture and industrial practice for judicious use of water like precision agriculture, micro irrigation etc
(b) Suitable actions
Short term actions –
- Take legal advice to impose water usage caps for the time being so that neither industries need to shut down, nor farmers are completely stopped
- Geeta – Duty must be done regardless of fear or opposition
- Allow controlled irrigation for farmers using drip irrigation and other micro-irrigation methods
- John Rawls – Fair distribution of resources
- Activate CSR: Encourage industries to fund water tankers or alternate irrigation methods for farmers
- Jeremy Bentham – Greatest good for the greatest number
- Deploy water tankers or borewells in critically affected areas
- Fair and independent investigation into allegations of bribery or selective enforcement
Long term –
- Digital water monitoring system to monitor extraction by all stakeholders
- Form ‘Joint Water Councils’ including farmers, industrial reps & civil society to ensure participation
- Industrial recycling mandates to reduce dependency on fresh water
- Use of geospatial tools to identify sustainable water sources for farming
- Incentivize crop-switching towards less water-intensive crops with MSP assurance
(c) Potential administrative and ethical dilemmas
- Sustainability vs economy/development –
- Sustainability – Complete control on water use for the time being
- Economy – Undisturbed supply of water to industries
- Short-term populism vs long-term governance –
- Short term populism – Allowing water use for farmers and industrial needs
- Long term governance – Devising a futuristic mechanism to solve the problem
- Principle vs preservation –
- Principle – Applying the law of the land, strict measures to control water use
- Preservation – Relaxation to use water for basic needs like drinking, farming etc
- Profit vs Social responsibility –
- Profit – undisturbed Industrial work
- Social responsibility – Ensuring the water availability for drinking and farming
- Preferential treatment vs non discrimination
- Preferential treatment – Allowing water use for industries
- Non discrimination – Taking measures to stop water use for all
