Philosophical basis of Integrity, social justice and humanitarian concerns - RajRAS

Philosophical basis of Integrity, social justice and humanitarian concerns are essential components of a fair and inclusive society. In the subject of Ethics, these values guide individuals and institutions to uphold equality, dignity, and compassion for all, especially the marginalized and vulnerable sections of society.

Previous year Questions related to Philosophical basis of Integrity, Social justice and humanitarian concerns

Philosophical basis of Integrity

Year	Question	Marks
2016	What do you understand about Integrity in Civil Service ?	5M
2018	Explain the measures taken to enhance the integrity of administration in India.	10M

Social justice and humanitarian concerns

Year	Question	Marks
2013	Give three suggestions to make civil servants more compassionate towards the weaker sections of society.	5M
2018	Extremism is dangerous. How can we avoid it ?	5M
2013	Give three suggestions to make civil servants more compassionate towards the weaker sections of society.	5M

Integrity

The term integrity comes from the Latin word in-tangere, which means untouched (Hence uncompromisable principles).
Strict adherence to moral principles irrespective of place, time and context (complete refusal to be compromised).
Integrity is soundness of moral principles.
Wisdom is knowing the right path, integrity is walking on it.
Civil service conduct rules demand ‘absolute integrity’ . It will save you from any political pressure. If you are an upright officer who has never earned under the table, politicians know this. They will never have the courage to come to your office and make unfair demands. In bureaucracy, there are no secrets. But if they already know that Saahab khoob khaate hain (Officer makes money from unfair means), they will approach you. And in that case, the officer loses the moral authority to not entertain their corrupt demands. Not Every politician is evil and not every officer is a victim.
An officer with integrity would never succumb to the pressure of seniors, relatives or any family member even if he/she has to compromise with personal relationships at that moment. He/she would do the right thing only because it is right.
Integrity at the workforce increases efficiency of the organisation.
It increases trust b/w various stakeholders.
Helps in taking the most appropriate decision while in a dilemma. Avoid situations like conflict of interest.

Mahatma Gandhi –

Chora Chori incident (called off NCM)
Harmony in thought, Speech and action.
He was ready to help Britishers in WW-II as it was against his moral principles to take advantage of the vulnerability of Britishers at that time. Also as a part of the empire, he thought it was the moral duty of India to help Britishers at that time while keeping the demand for freedom at highest priority.

Note – Integrity without knowledge is weak and useless, and knowledge without integrity is dangerous and dreadful.

Philosophical basis of Integrity

Basis	Concepts that leads to Integrity
Inner conviction	Conscience (Gandhi)Spiritual enlightenment (Buddha)Inherent moral values (Values like compassion might be genetic)According to the Mayo Clinic, researchers estimate that 30-60% of kindness is genetically determined.
Ancient Indian Philosophy	Vedas – Rigveda (Rit and Rin)Upanishad, Geeta, Smrities, SanhitasPurusarthas – Dharma, Arth, Kaam and MokshaSatyamev Jayate – Mundaka UpanishadMaa Gridha Kasasyvidanam – IsavasyoupanishadChankya’s Arthashastra
Modern India	Vivekananda, Gandhi, Constitution, Preamble etc
Western Philosophy	Socrates – Knowledge is supremePlato-Harmonious functioning (Mind, Body and soul)Aristotle – Principle of Golden meanJohn Rawl – Veil of ignorance (Impartiality)Kant – Duty is supremeStoicism – Without suffering, Life can’t sustainJeremy Bentham – Your work should benefit maximum peopleMax Weber – Impersonal to avoid misuse of power.The movement of good governance by world bank 1992 (Special emphasis on integrity in administration).

Social Justice

Social justice refers to the fair division of resources, opportunities, and privileges in society and empowerment of all sections of the society (ROPE)
World day of social justice by UN – 20 February

Why is Social Justice required ?

For peaceful and prosperous society
Celebration of Diversity and Promotion of dignity of mankind (Kant)
Efficient use of mother earth resources (Utilitarianism)
Maximizing the happiness in society (Aristotle’s summon bonnum)
John Rawls theory of social justice
Duty of the state (Deontology, DPSP articles)
1. Article 38 – Securing and protecting a social order that includes social, economic, and political justice b.
2. Article 39 – The ownership and control of the material resources of the community are so distributed as best to sub serve the common good
Loksangarha (Welfare of the society – Geeta)
Sarvodaya and Antyodaya, Talisman (Gandhi)

Examples

American civil rights movement of the 1950s and 60s
Constitutional provisions – Article 14, 15, 16, 17
Demand for reservation (Positive discrimination)
Dalit movement of 1970s
Govt schemes for poor and marginalized
Anna Hazare movement (Against Corruption)
Tribal movements – Niyamgiri Suraksha Samiti in Odisha
LGBTQ+ Rights Movement, Recognition of third gender
Change in attitude – Disable to divyanjana

Humanitarian concerns

A humanitarian concern is defined as an event or a series of events that are threatening to humanity at large.

Humanitarian concern and their examples related to administration

Natural Disasters (Earthquake, Tsunami, Flood)

Nepal earthquake 2015 – Indian administrative machinery played an important role in Operation Maitri by supplying food, medicine, water, first aid etc.
Kerala floods in 2018 – IAS officer Kannan Gopinathan worked continuously for 8 days without going home and another IAS officer MG Rajamanikyam carried rice sacks on his shoulder
Tsunami 2004 – The Indian government provided relief assistance to other countries affected by the tsunami, including Sri Lanka, Maldives, Thailand, and Indonesia.
Syria earthquake 2023 – Operation dost

Epidemics and Pandemics – COVID 19

Bhilwara model (IAS Rajendra Bhatt and Tina Dabi)
Police administration helped in strict lockdown
Operation vaccine maitri (COVID vaccine to more than 100 countries)

Cross border crisis

Evacuation of Indians from Ukraine (Operation Ganga), Syria, Afghanistan and sudan (Operation Kaveri)

Climate change

Solar energy policy, Biofuel policy, work on renewable energy, schemes like PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, international forums like international solar alliance etc are designed, implemented and coordinated by able Indian administration.
India in top 10 in climate change performance index.

Terrorism

India is one of the countries with the largest peacekeeping forces in the UN.

Poverty

Various schemes like national food security act, MGNREGA, PM Kisan

Political Refugee crisis

Implementation of CAA – Saving persecuted minorities.
India has hosted Tibetan refugees since the 1950s, providing them with shelter, education, and opportunities for livelihood.
India has provided asylum to Rohingya refugees fleeing violence in Myanmar.

Philosophical basis of Integrity, social justice and humanitarian concerns