Relevance: UPSC Ethics Simplified attracts your consideration to a subject of self-awareness and self-management within the type of a caselet. This caselet is an extension of the ideas mentioned on Kant’s Philosophy. It’s suggested to revisit the idea article earlier than studying the caselet under.
Nanditesh Nilay writes for UPSC Ethics Simplified fortnightly. The primary article shall be an idea whereas the second article shall be a caselet, based mostly on the idea. Don’t miss the ‘Ethicist view’ under.
The Caselet
Anmol was a driver by career and a golden-hearted particular person. He used to drive senior bureaucrats’ automobiles when he was posted in a authorities coaching institute. Sooner or later his director requested him to obtain a really senior bureaucrat Mr. George from the airport. Whereas getting back from the airport he realized that Mr. George was keen to purchase a chunk of land and requested Anmol to attach him with the precise folks. Although Anmol was a completely dedicated worker, he nonetheless used to transcend his limits to assist others. He linked Mr. George with Sunil, the landowner. Lastly, Mr. George bought that piece of land with a very good low cost.
Anmol and that landowner had been from the identical caste, however furthermore, it was Anmol’s goodness that helped George and Sunil get a very good deal. Sunil, the landowner, stated to Mr. George, “I’ve seen a number of bureaucrats in my life. Please don’t get me unsuitable, however I discovered most of them egocentric, impolite, and extremely beauty. It is just attributable to Anmol that we will shut the deal.”
Time flies. Anmol was close to to his retirement. Sooner or later whereas visiting Delhi he bought to know that Mr. George had turn into the highest bureaucrat in a ministry. Only for a courtesy, Anmol went to fulfill Mr. George in particular person and requested his employees to tell his coming. One of many secretariat employees requested, “Anmol, does our sir know you? Anmol proudly replied,” Oh sure! In the event you can please inform him that Anmol has come from XYZ institute.”
After half an hour the secretariat employees knowledgeable Anmol, ” Sir could be very busy. And sorry, he doesn’t know you.” When Anmol was leaving that employees cunningly stated, “Our sir don’t give time simply to Collectors and DMs. Why do you suppose he would give it to you? You’re a driver. Sorry.” Anmol returned.
The following day was Anmol’s farewell. His division was getting ready him to felicitate for his good behaviour and work. In the meantime, somebody knowledgeable Anmol {that a} very senior bureaucrat is coming by flight and he should go to obtain him and that obligation shall be his final one. Anmol, like a humble worker, went to the airport. To his utter shock, he noticed Mr. George, the bureaucrat. He held his feelings and greeted him. The bureaucrat stated, “After my assembly, we’ll go to the market. I’ve to purchase a Pashmina Scarf for my spouse. It’s a must to be certain that I get the most effective deal. Is that Okay Anmol?” Anmol was by no means shocked when he referred to as him by his identify. He knew that individuals like Mr. George possesses a pointy reminiscence and all the time remembers revenue pointers of their lives for positive.
His farewell time was 5 pm. Anmol went to the director room and stated, “Sir, I don’t wish to go wherever right this moment. Please ship another driver with Mr. George.” That different driver took the bureaucrat to the market. On the store, the bureaucrat launched himself to impress the employees. The shopkeeper stated,” Sir, you’re a massive shot. You don’t must impress us with a couple of hundred rupees low cost. Costs are fastened right here. Please don’t take me unsuitable. I didn’t know you. Sure, for those who would have include Anmol…” He stopped abruptly.
It was 5 pm now. The director requested Anmol to share his few experiences. Anmol went to the dias and stated, “I used to be fortunate to work and meet so many profitable officers of our nation. It has been a journey of nice studying for me. I wish to thank everybody. Particularly George sir, who’s sitting right here. He taught me a couple of classes in life. Thank You, sir.”
After the occasion, Mr. George stated to Anmol,”Attributable to you I felt a lack of minimal Rs.500. I purchased a scarf however with none low cost. Anmol, you’ll have gone with me.” Anmol replied, ”Sorry Sir. I used to be very emotional. And sir, there are lots of drivers like me, and all of us are human beings, with none low cost.”
Ethicist View:
Within the above case there are refined points that decision for our consideration from the moral perspective. Anmol understood the golden rule of ethics — do unto others, as you’ll have them do unto you. Concurrently, he by no means tried to take any favour from the bureaucrat. He follows the Categorical Crucial of Kant,” act solely by the maxim by way of which you’ll on the similar time that it turns into a common legislation.” He didn’t attempt to convey up the bitter incident even in his final interplay with the bureaucrat. As an alternative, he targeted on the bigger query of Kantian ethics of universalizability and reversibility. Although he stated to the director that he was not keen to go along with Mr. George, but it was sure that obligation, organisational dedication and dignity had been every part to him. Mr. George failed in carrying all these moral ideas. He was extra of a profit-minded particular person reasonably than a very good human being or a utilitarian. He even didn’t match within the framework — “most good for max numbers.” Over all this case urges the reader to deal with these emotional and rational points that are counted within the decision-making course of.
(The author is the writer of ‘Being Good and Aaiye, Insaan Banaen’, ‘Ethikos: Tales Looking out Happiness’ and ‘Kyon’. He teaches programs on and provides coaching in ethics, values and behavior. He has been the skilled/marketing consultant to UPSC, SAARC nations, Civil providers Academy, Nationwide Centre for Good Governance, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Competitors Fee of India (CCI), and so on. He has PhD in two disciplines and has been a Doctoral Fellow in Gandhian Research from ICSSR. His second PhD is from IIT Delhi on Moral Determination Making amongst Indian Bureaucrats. He writes for the UPSC Ethics Simplified (ideas and caselets) fortnightly.)
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