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How To Think and Act Ethically? – A Framework
(Following Article is Sourced From Santa Clara University Website) http://www.scu.edu/ethics/
A Framework for Thinking Ethically
This document is designed as an introduction to thinking ethically. We all have an image of our
better selves-of how we are when we act ethically or are “at our best.” We probably also have an
image of what an ethical community, an ethical business, an ethical government, or an ethical society
should be. Ethics really has to do with all these levels-acting ethically as individuals, creating ethical
organizations and governments, and making our society as a whole ethical in the way it treats
everyone.
What is Ethics?
Simply stated, ethics refers to standards of behavior that tell us how human beings ought to act in
the many situations in which they find themselves-as friends, parents, children, citizens,
businesspeople, teachers, professionals, and so on.
It is helpful to identify what ethics is NOT:

• Ethics is not the same as feelings. Feelings provide important information for our ethical
choices. Some people have highly developed habits that make them feel bad when they do
something wrong, but many people feel good even though they are doing something wrong.
And often our feelings will tell us it is uncomfortable to do the right thing if it is hard.

• Ethics is not religion. Many people are not religious, but ethics applies to everyone. Most
religions do advocate high ethical standards but sometimes do not address all the types of
problems we face.

• Ethics is not following the law. A good system of law does incorporate many ethical
standards, but law can deviate from what is ethical. Law can become ethically corrupt, as some
totalitarian regimes have made it. Law can be a function of power alone and designed to serve
the interests of narrow groups. Law may have a difficult time designing or enforcing standards
in some important areas, and may be slow to address new problems.

• Ethics is not following culturally accepted norms. Some cultures are quite ethical, but others
become corrupt -or blind to certain ethical concerns (as the United States was to slavery
before the Civil War). “When in Rome, do as the Romans do” is not a satisfactory ethical
standard.

• Ethics is not science. Social and natural science can provide important data to help us make
better ethical choices. But science alone does not tell us what we ought to do. Science may
provide an explanation for what humans are like. But ethics provides reasons for how humans
ought to act. And just because something is scientifically or technologically possible, it may
not be ethical to do it.
Why Identifying Ethical Standards is Hard
There are two fundamental problems in identifying the ethical standards we are to follow:
1.
On
what
do
we
base
our
ethical
standards?
2. How do those standards get applied to specific situations we face?
If our ethics are not based on feelings, religion, law, accepted social practice, or science, what are
they based on? Many philosophers and ethicists have helped us answer this critical question. They
have suggested at least five different sources of ethical standards we should use.
Five Sources of Ethical Standards
The Utilitarian Approach
Some ethicists emphasize that the ethical action is the one that provides the most good or does the
least harm, or, to put it another way, produces the greatest balance of good over harm. The ethical
corporate action, then, is the one that produces the greatest good and does the least harm for all who
are affected-customers, employees, shareholders, the community, and the environment. Ethical
warfare balances the good achieved in ending terrorism with the harm done to all parties through
death, injuries, and destruction. The utilitarian approach deals with consequences; it tries both to
increase the good done and to reduce the harm done.
The Rights Approach
Other philosophers and ethicists suggest that the ethical action is the one that best protects and
respects the moral rights of those affected. This approach starts from the belief that humans have a
dignity based on their human nature per se or on their ability to choose freely what they do with their
lives. On the basis of such dignity, they have a right to be treated as ends and not merely as means to
other ends. The list of moral rights -including the rights to make one’s own choices about what kind
of life to lead, to be told the truth, not to be injured, to a degree of privacy, and so on-is widely
debated; some now argue that non-humans have rights, too. Also, it is often said that rights imply
duties-in particular, the duty to respect others’ rights.
The Fairness or Justice Approach
Aristotle and other Greek philosophers have contributed the idea that all equals should be treated
equally. Today we use this idea to say that ethical actions treat all human beings equally-or if
unequally, then fairly based on some standard that is defensible. We pay people more based on their
harder work or the greater amount that they contribute to an organization, and say that is fair. But
there is a debate over CEO salaries that are hundreds of times larger than the pay of others; many
ask whether the huge disparity is based on a defensible standard or whether it is the result of an
imbalance of power and hence is unfair.
The Common Good Approach
The Greek philosophers have also contributed the notion that life in community is a good in itself
and our actions should contribute to that life. This approach suggests that the interlocking
relationships of society are the basis of ethical reasoning and that respect and compassion for all
others-especially the vulnerable-are requirements of such reasoning. This approach also calls
attention to the common conditions that are important to the welfare of everyone. This may be a
system of laws, effective police and fire departments, health care, a public educational system, or
even public recreational areas.
The Virtue Approach
A very ancient approach to ethics is that ethical actions ought to be consistent with certain ideal
virtues that provide for the full development of our humanity. These virtues are dispositions and
habits that enable us to act according to the highest potential of our character and on behalf of values
like truth and beauty. Honesty, courage, compassion, generosity, tolerance, love, fidelity, integrity,
fairness, self-control, and prudence are all examples of virtues. Virtue ethics asks of any action,
“What kind of person will I become if I do this?” or “Is this action consistent with my acting at my
best?”
Putting the Approaches Together
Each of the approaches helps us determine what standards of behavior can be considered ethical.
There are still problems to be solved, however.
The first problem is that we may not agree on the content of some of these specific approaches. We
may not all agree to the same set of human and civil rights.
We may not agree on what constitutes the common good. We may not even agree on what is a good
and what is a harm.
The second problem is that the different approaches may not all answer the question “What is
ethical?” in the same way. Nonetheless, each approach gives us important information with which to
determine what is ethical in a particular circumstance. And much more often than not, the different
approaches do lead to similar answers.
Making Decisions
Making good ethical decisions requires a trained sensitivity to ethical issues and a practiced method
for exploring the ethical aspects of a decision and weighing the considerations that should impact
our choice of a course of action. Having a method for ethical decision making is absolutely essential.
When practiced regularly, the method becomes so familiar that we work through it automatically
without consulting the specific steps.
The more novel and difficult the ethical choice we face, the more we need to rely on discussion and
dialogue with others about the dilemma. Only by careful exploration of the problem, aided by the
insights and different perspectives of others, can we make good ethical choices in such situations.
We have found the following framework for ethical decision making a useful method for exploring
ethical dilemmas and identifying ethical courses of action.
A Framework for Ethical Decision Making
Recognize an Ethical Issue
1.
Could this decision or situation be damaging to someone or to some group? Does this decision
involve a choice between a good and bad alternative, or perhaps between two “goods” or
between two “bads”?
2. Is this issue about more than what is legal or what is most efficient? If so, how?
Get the Facts
3. What are the relevant facts of the case? What facts are not known? Can I learn more about the
situation? Do I know enough to make a decision?
4. What individuals and groups have an important stake in the outcome? Are some concerns
more important? Why?
5. What are the options for acting? Have all the relevant persons and groups been consulted?
Have I identified creative options?
Evaluate Alternative Actions
6. Evaluate the options by asking the following questions:

Which option will produce the most good and do the least harm? (The Utilitarian Approach)

Which option best respects the rights of all who have a stake? (The Rights Approach)

Which option treats people equally or proportionately? (The Justice Approach)

Which
as
option
a
whole,
best
serves
not
just
the
some
community
members?
(The Common Good Approach)

Which option leads me to act as the sort of person I want to be? (The Virtue Approach)
Make a Decision and Test It
7. Considering all these approaches, which option best addresses the situation?
8. If I told someone I respect-or told a television audience-which option I have chosen, what
would they say?
Act and Reflect on the Outcome
9. How can my decision be implemented with the greatest care and attention to the concerns of
all stakeholders?
10. How did my decision turn out and what have I learned from this specific situation?
Ethics Case Study 1– Integrity and Professional Behaviour
A junior member of staff has just returned to work after taking special leave to care for her elderly
mother. For financial reasons she needs to work full-time. She has been having difficulties with her
mother’s home care arrangements, causing her to miss a number of team meetings (which usually
take place at the beginning of each day) and to leave work early. She is very competent in her work
but her absences are putting pressure on her and her overworked colleagues. You are her manager,
and you are aware that the flow of work through the practice is coming under pressure. One of her
male colleagues is beginning to make comments such as “a woman’s place is in the home”, and is
undermining her at every opportunity, putting her under even greater stress.
Question:
How should you proceed so as not to discredit yourself, your profession or the practice for which
you work and at the same time maintaining integrityand confidentiality in your actions? (200
Words)
Ethics Case Study – 2 – Honesty and Integrity
Jayanth is a son-in-law of a local MLA and is now posted as block development officer in his fatherin-law’s constituency. He comes to know that MLA’s followers, who are mainly small contractors
and many elected members of Gram Panchayat, are hand in glove with local Panchayat officials in
misusing MGNREGA funds. He finds that each Panchayat secretary along with elected members
have used machines to complete many works under the scheme and siphoned off funds using fake
job cards. He also finds out that all this was done at the behest of his father-in-law, the local MLA.
Now, the state government has taken cognizance of the issue after a media report and has ordered
inquiry into the scam.
Jayanth has to probe the matter and file a report to higher authorities. His father-in-law is
pressurizing him to file a false report as he himself is under pressure from his followers, who if found
guilty will be slapped with a criminal case. Some contractors have contacted and requested him to
not to mention their names in the report in return for a hefty bribe. Some Panchayat secretaries have
requested him to spare them as according to them Panchayat members had coerced them into
becoming partners in crime. Jayanth is recently married and it is his first government job.
What should be his course of action? (200 Words)
Ethics Case Study – 3 – Ethics In Public and Personal Relationships
Keshav recently got a job of First Division Assistant in Tehsil (Taluk) office. He is smart and
hardworking. Because of which Tehsildar has become fond of him and though he is Keshav’s
superior, he has made Keshav his good friend.
Keshav is married to Ramya who is educated and recently got posted as Panchayat Secretary,
incidentally to the Panchayat office located in Keshav’s village itself. Ramya’s mother-in-law is not
supportive of her and her job. She frequently taunts Ramya and demands all of Ramya’s salary to be
given to her. Though Keshav supports Ramya, he seldom objects to her mother’s remarks to his wife.
A young, male Panchayat member of same Panchayat where Ramya works ,and who wields
considerable clout in the village and Tehsil, comes to know that she had ‘illegally’ signed a property
assessment certificate and claims that he has documents to prove his claim. The certificate was
obtained by a relative of this Panchayat member who was not in good terms with him. In the past
serious fights were taken place between them over this property.
Ramya insists that she signed it only after Panchayat’s bill collector surveyed the property and gave
his verbal assurance about the legality of the property in question. As he was born and brought up in
the village and knew matters of the village very well, Ramya had trusted him. Now the Panchayat
member is threatening her to take the matter to District Panchayat and get her suspended.
Ramya seeks her husband’s help who is close to tehsildar and who in turn is a close friend of Block
Development Officer. Ramya’s mother-in-law is forcing her to quit the job and stay at home, but
Ramya wants to be financially independent and pleads her innocence. Keshav is in moral dilemma
over the entire episode.
What should be Keshav’s course of action so that he doesn’t compromise his ethics in personal and
professional
relationships? (200 Words)
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Ethics Case Study – 4 – Ethics in Public Service
Ramanujan Shastri, secretary in the ministry of defence, is a respected and admired bureaucrat.
Defence minister trusts Ramanujan and has given him a free hand in the ministry.
Ramanujan, who is at the fag end of his career, recently lost his elder son and wife in an accident and
ever since , he has kept a low profile and has grown more fond of his other son who now just finished
his graduation from an ordinary institution in the capital.
In a deal involving direct government to government contract with a major arms supplier,
Ramanujan is tasked with speeding up the contract agreement and finalize the deal. The
manufacturer, who will benefit immensely if the process is expedited, on many occasions has
personally contacted Ramanujan and expressed his frustration in the slow movement of files in the
ministry.
Ramanujan’s younger son wants to study in a world’s most reputed university for which he needs a
lot of money and good references. Son has his father’s complete support and he himself is
contemplating the idea of moving out with his son to a new place, but money is the constraint. The
person from the company who is in touch with Ramanujan comes to know about this and in one of
his meetings with Ramanujan, he assures him to look after his son’s entire higher education costs —
from admission to placement to a well paying job — provided he speeds up the finalization of the
deal.
Because of unexpected political circumstances, the defence minister now wants to scrap the deal.
From his experience Ramanujan senses that the present controversy is temporary and somehow the
deal will be inked later. Ramanujan who has few months of service left with him is in a dilemma. He
doesn’t want to disappoint his son and at the same time he wants to be in good terms with the
minister. The deal, if signed, doesn’t harm anyone’s interests. The products are of world class and is
sure to add value to the country’s defence arsenal.
What should be Ramanujan’s course of action in this situation? (150 Words)
Ethics Case Study – 5: Ethical Dilemma
Girija, a smart and extremely talented young IAS officer, is posted as SDM of a Sub-Division in a
Southern State, under whose jurisdiction the constituency belonging to a young MP falls. He is
projected to become PM as he is the heir apparent in his party. Most opinion poll surveys have
predicted that his party would come to power at the centre on its own strength in the impending
general elections. He is also a bachelor.
Girija, is now married to a handsome and equally talented IPS officer, who is now posted as ASP in a
district far away from where she works. Their marriage has been smooth so far.
The young MP, in his first official meeting with the officials of his constituency notices Girija and is
impressed by her personality and work. After the meeting, he sends her an official communication to
meet him and discuss about a project that is being implemented in his constituency. The meeting is
held at his residence.
During his meeting, he offers her a position in PMO if he comes to power. Getting into PMO is the
dream of many bureaucrats, but Girija declines the offer citing her marriage and want of grassroots
experience. However the meeting ends cordially and the young MP is more impressed about her. He
gives her his personal number and asks her to be in touch with him. After few days of chat, he starts
signaling his affection for her. Girija, though she loves her husband, keeps her frequent chats with
the MP a secret. The problem is she too is stung by the charm of the young MP. But she is aware of
the consequences of any false step from her side and maintains a safe distance from him.
Meanwhile the elections get over and the young MP is now the PM of the country. He sends her an
unofficial communique to join PMO mentioning that if her response is affirmative, the official order
would be sent soon . This job, especially for an young officer is a ladder to excellent career prospects
in future and it is hard to come by even with lot of lobbying. She discusses the offer with her
husband, but she refrains from discussing about the chats she frequently had with the MP. Her
husband asks her to take her own decision keeping in mind family and professional consequences.
She is apprehensive about the intentions of the PM and if she joins, she may have to compromise her
personal life. Her husband can not move with her. Earlier she had refused the offer and now the job
seems to be enticing one considering the career prospects.
What should Girija do knowing the risks and benefits of the new offer? (200 Words)
Ethics Case Study – 6: Ethics In Public Service
Ajay Mishra, a senior IAS officer has come to be known as an eccentric officer thanks to his show of
brutal honesty in public service. But his friends and colleagues who know him personally respect and
love him a lot for his vast knowledge and affability.
Recently he was shunted out of a prominent department as a punishment transfer as Managing
Director to an ailing state cooperative milk federation. It was his fifth transfer in three years. Not
able to cope up with her husband’s frequent transfers to east-west and north-south parts of the state,
Ajay’s wife is sick for many years now and the children have moved out to foreign countries on the
pretext of higher studies never to come back.
The chairman of state milk federation is a powerful politician very close to the Chief Minister. Ajay,
in his first month of duty itself comes to know about many irregularities in the functioning of the
federation and high-handedness of the chairman in financial matters.
A board member belonging to a political party opposed to that of the chairman and who has a good
chance of becoming chairman once the incumbent steps down or resigns, meets Ajay privately and
hands over few documents and a secret video recording where the chairman appears to be
demanding huge bribe for releasing funds to district milk unions. The video clearly shows that it is
indeed the chairman asking a director of a district union for bribe.
As soon as Ajay took over incharge as MD, the chairman was demanding speedy disbursal of funds to
district unions which was pending for many months.
Ajay confronted the board member why he didn’t go public with the video himself. The member told
him that he is actually blackmailing the chairman for some time now and he is not yielding to his
threats as he is being shielded by the CM. The board member now wants MD to confront the
chairman and go public himself as this would give the MD fame and public support. The board
member has had requested leader of the opposition party to pressurize Ajay and it had worked too.
Ajay is now being pressurized by prominent leaders of the opposition parties, privately, to go against
the chairman. They are offering him a lucrative post in the capital once they come to power. And they
want to embarrass the government.
Ajay, if he confronts the chairman, is sure to be transferred immediately to a distant district again.
His wife whose mental status is deteriorating day by day is not in a condition to move again to a new
place.
On the other hand, the opposition party is gaining ground in the state and is sure to come back to
power soon. The board member wants to use Ajay for his political gain by using him as pawn.
What should be Ajay Mishra’s course of action in the present situation? (250 Words)
Ethics Case Study – 7: Moral Dilemma
Rajiv is an IAS aspirant. He studied in two premier institutions and worked for a while in an IT
company. He quit the job and started preparing for the civil services exams. In his first attempt he
wrote mains but could not qualify for the personality test. In next two attempts, however, he gave
interviews but fate had it that his name did not appear in the final list. In all three attempts he had
scored less in Mains and in two interviews his score was average if not bad.
Coming under General Merit, Rajiv had only four attempts to get into IAS. For the last attempt, he
decided to take a break of one year and prepare extremely well giving no chance to fate. By then he
had spent five years just for preparing for this exam with no job in hand.
He did prepare well and easily sailed through the Preliminary and Mains exam. For his final
interview, Rajiv, prepared himself very well. He read widely. He contacted his peers and well
wishers, talked to them extensively and took feedback on his body language and communication
skills. He took mock tests at prominent institutions and got a very positive feedback.His confidence
was at an all time high. By the time interview call letter came, Rajiv was fully ready to face his final
test to realize the dream of becoming an IAS officer.
On the previous day of his interview, Rajiv talked to his parents, girlfriend and teachers and sought
their wishes. He had a sound sleep too.
His interview was scheduled in the second session i.e in the afternoon. On the day of his interview, in
the morning Rajiv was calm, composed and had a friendly chat with fellow aspirants who had stayed
together in a friend’s room.
He had his lunch and left room in his bike half an hour before the scheduled time of his appearance
at UPSC office.
Rajiv was riding his bike with lots of thoughts in his mind. The road was almost empty. As he was
riding, just in front of him, a speeding bike collided with the road divider. Seeing this, Rajiv stopped
his bike for a minute and went near the accident scene. A man, crying with pain, was lying in a pool
of blood and a girl child, around 5 year old, was lying unconscious next to the man. Rajiv looked
around for help, but two or three cars sped away without stopping by.
Rajiv had to be at UPSC office in 10 minutes. If not he would forever lose his dream of becoming an
IAS officer.
In this situation, what should Rajiv do? Justify your answer.
Ethics Case Study – 8: Decision Making
Prateek, a young IAS officer, was transferred to a Naxal affected district as its DM. In his previous
postings, he had done tremendous good work and it was recognized and appreciated at the national
level. In fact he was given PM’s Excellence Award for Public Administration in recognition of his
work — one of the youngest officers to receive the award so far.
On the personal front, Prateek belonged to a higher caste and was married to a daughter of
prominent political leader in the state. He was also a father to a two year old baby.
Few days before Prateek assumed responsibility as new DM, in the Naxal camp, a new local
commander had assumed power. He was on the most wanted list and known for advocating ruthless
violence against the state and its machinery to achieve the ends. Intelligence agencies were on vigil
and the change in local Naxal organization was communicated to all the public offices in the affected
and surrounding districts.
Prateek believed that development and dialogue were the cure for Naxal problem and he had hinted
the same in his media briefings and also in his approach towards administration. He was proactive
and was willing to travel extra mile, literally, to meet tribes and hear their problems in person. Of
course he took enough precaution whenever he went inside forest to meet people.
His movement was being closely watched by the Naxal elements. In one of his official trips, while
returning, his convoy was ambushed and hugely outnumbered by the heavily armed Naxals and
except him all his companions including security personnel were executed. He was taken as a
hostage.
This made international news and there was outcry all over the nation to safely bring back Prateek.
Naxals released a press statement accepting the killings and taking hostage DM. In the statement
they said that their demands would be released soon and if the government did not fulfill them, the
DM would be beheaded.
Inside the forest, Prateek was tortured on the orders of the local commander.
Naxals released their long list of demands among them prominent were the demand for the release
of all imprisoned Naxal leaders across the country and the immediate withdrawal of all paramilitary
forces from the Naxal affected districts. To these demands the government clearly said no, but
showed its willingness to hold dialogue by appointing neutral negotiators of Naxals’ choice.
The Naxals rejected the government offer. Unlike the earlier leadership, the local commander meant
business and he warned the government that if it did not heed to their demands soon, the head of the
DM would be sent to district HQ.
The moment of truth arrived. In a final talk with the DM, the local commander gave him a choice
between death and relinquishment of his job as an IAS officer. Prateek had to send his resignation
letter with immediate effect, and with a caveat that if the government didn’t accept his decision
immediately, he would be executed, if it accepts he would walk free. There was one day time left for
him to take decision or hold dialogue himself and convince the Naxals to free him before his
execution.
If you were to be in Prateek’s position, what would have been your decision? Would you give life for
the country? Would you resign and walk free? Justify your answer on ethical basis.
Ethics Case Study – 9: Decision Making
As SDM you have received a complaint that in a village under your jurisdiction, people belonging to a
religious community who are in majority there ( this community is a minority in the state and
country) are constructing an illegal religious structure on village common land. It is nearing
completion. The complaint is filed by a local leader belonging to a community who are in minority
(majority in the state and country) in the village.
You have verified the complaint and found that indeed the structure is being illegally constructed on
village common land. You also find that this structure is funded by local MLA.
You had issued a show cause notice to the trust that’s constructing the structure asking them why it
shouldn’t be demolished. They have replied that a Panchayat of villagers (not official Gram Sabha)
was convened and it had decided to construct the structure for the community purpose as they didn’t
have a proper place for prayers and congregation. They have also replied that they are willing to pay
the fine if the government decides to impose any and have ardently requested not to order
demolition as it might lead to communal clashes in the village.
The issue is sensitive as majority of the village wants it constructed at any cost. As SDM how will you
proceed to resolve the issue?
Ethics Case Study – 10: Ethics In Personal and Publice Relationships
Sumati loved Ranjan when they both were undergoing training as IAS probationer officers at
LBSNAA. After their training, they married each other and were allotted same state cadre.
Both were posted as SDM to two subdivisions in the same district. They both stayed together at the
district HQ. The sub division where Ranjan worked was rich in mineral resources and mining was
rampant. It was home to many rich people.
Sumati came to know that Ranjan was getting tempted by bribe offers offered by mining barons in
the region to overlook certain land related issues. She observed that he was bringing home costly
gifts. One day she confronted him but he told her that he was not doing anything illegal and some
rich people impressed by his working style were being just very generous in spite of his reluctance to
receive anything from them. He was also attending parties thrown by some very rich people in the
district.
Sumati was now growing uncomfortable with Ranjan’s attitude. They both loved each other very
much, in fact it was Sumati who had proposed him first.
One day she came to know conclusively that Ranjan had taken bribes from some people. She also
comes to know that the favour for which Ranjan has compromised would create a great loss to state
exchequer.She is an upright officer and has made herself a good name.
If she takes a drastic step, it might endanger her marriage.
What should Sumati do knowing her husband is involved in graft and her marriage to him might get
jeopardized if she takes a drastic step?
Ethics Case Study-11: Emotional Intelligence
Radha was very proud of her father. He was a senior bureaucrat in the state and he was invited to
every major functions in Radha’s school and colleges. She used to feel like a star on such occasions.
She boasted about her father in her friends’ circle. It was not without reason as her father himself
used to tell her his stories of honesty, integrity in administration from his personal experiences.
Radha was a brilliant student in her studies. She had many friends and some enemies too. Ramya
was one of those enemies who was jealous of Radha and she constantly searched for an opportunity
to hurt Radha with her acerbic taunts. Most of the times Radha avoided encountering Ramya inside
the college campus.
When Radha was in her final year of graduation, just before her final exams, her father was arrested
on charges of corruption and was sent to jail. This became a major news in the state and severely
affected Radha mentally.
She did not want to write her exams as she felt embarrassed to go to college. But her friends and
mother convinced her to give exams as it was very important for her future. As soon as Radha
entered college, Ramya met her and started talking sarcastically about Radha’s father that how an
honest father got arrested and how Radha had come to write exams in spite of a major crisis in her
family. Ramya wryly asked Radha if her father had gone to jail to deliver lecture about honesty and
integrity.
One of Radha’s close friends slapped Ramya there itself.
Radha was hurt by Ramya’s comments and not able to control her emotions she rushed out of college
crying loudly. That day she did not give her exam. Next day she committed suicide at her home.
In the above example, Radha, Ramya and Radha’s friend who slapped Ramya all have displayed
different shades of low emotional intelligence.
Analyze how each one of them would have behaved if they all had possessed high emotional
intelligence? (250 Words)
Ethics Case Study – 12: Emotional Intelligence
Mukul was a hard working policeman. He married a beautiful girl from his village. Both of them
stayed in a house at police quarters.
Mukkul’s boss, Sub-Inspector Sandeep was an arrogant and flirtatious officer. He did not treat his
subordinates well. He had an eye on Mukul’s wife ever since he first saw her on the day of Mukul’s
wedding. His house was in the neighborhood of Mukul’s. Unlike other superior officers, Sandeep
often invited Mukul to visit his home with his wife for dinner and to other get together parties.
Mukul had noticed that Sandeep was trying to get closer to his wife by making jokes and giving
unsolicited advises.
Sandeep denied Mukul any holidays. Mukul was tired of asking for leave so many times and had even
mildly protested once. Sandeep wanted Mukul and his wife to stay at the quarters all the time.
Once Mukul wanted a fifteen days of leave to arrange and look after his only sister’s wedding. He had
to go to his native with his family for fifteen days. Mukul officially kept asking for leave two months
well before the wedding date itself. But as expected Sandeep kept refusing him any leave. Just before
the scheduled day Mukul had to leave for his native, he once again finally asked Sandeep to grant
him leave. Sandeep said that he would grant him leave provided he went alone to the marriage
leaving behind his wife in the quarters.
Mukul, agitated, took his loaded rifle and shot the inspector dead. He then surrendered to the
police.
Emotional intelligence is must for police officers to work in a stressful and provocative
environment. Explain how would have been Mukul and Sandeep’s behaviour if they had possessed
high emotional intelligence?
(Based on a true story)
Ethics Case Study – 13:
You are travelling in a train in sleeper class at night. You have not slept properly for three days
because of some hectic tiresome personal work. You are desperately in need of some good sleep.
At around 10 pm an old woman and a small girl child with lots of luggage gets into the car you are in.
They have general ticket but don’t possess reserved tickets. Someone had advised them that if any
seats are vacant,Ticket Ticket Examiner( TTE) would accommodate them. Unfortunately no seat is
vacant.
You are falling asleep and the old woman and child are standing next to your cabin awaiting
anxiously the arrival of TTE. It appears that the old woman is sick and they are traveling to some
distant place on an urgent notice. This TTE is not a kind man and as soon as he comes to know that
these two are travelling without a valid ticket, he starts abusing them badly. He asks the woman and
child to pay hefty fine and sleep on the floor near toilet or wait near the door till next station arrived
which is two hours away and get into general car — which is far away from the sleeper class for these
two to run and get into. Their ardent requests are met with constant abuses. TTE even doesn’t care
when the small girl starts crying as she is very sleepy. TTE states clearly that he is not willing to
accommodate them with anyone in the sleeper class as it’s against rules.
You lost your sleep and heard the diatribe of TTE against these hapless woman and child. Inside the
train it’s very cold. As a responsible citizen with empathy towards others, what would you do to help
the old woman and child? How will you resolve the issue?
Ethics Case Study – 14: Moral Dilemma, Ethics in Private and Public
Relationships
You are having lunch with your close friend Naveen. You both are friends since childhood and your
families are also close to each other, it’s like one family. Naveen recently got appointed as Assistant
Director in Social Welfare Department.
During conversation, Naveen tells you that he is enjoying his work because it’s giving him an
opportunity to help the poor. He also says that he is not asking anyone for bribes but people
themselves pay him money because they are happy with his speedy service. He says that he initially
did not receive any money but when more and more people insisted, he started taking bribes. He also
says that just before he arrived for lunch he was given a good amount of money by a happy
beneficiary in his office.
You are a Deputy Superintendent of Police and you are on duty. Naveen knows this, but he is sharing
his experiences as he does with any one of his family members. He did not, even for a moment, think
that you were a cop on duty.
As a responsible officer who is on duty, and who’s duty is to enforce law, what will you do to your
friend?
Ethics Case Study – 15: Emotional Intelligence; conscience as sources of
ethical guidance; Human Values; Moral attitude.
After a year of intense training at LBSNAA , Anil has come to Mukherjee Nagar to meet his close
friend Parul who is preparing for civil services. Anil is wearing squeaky clean white shirt and a costly
pant and shoes. Instead of going to a posh hotel, out of nostalgia Anil visits a roadside tea shop to
have a cup of tea with his friend who is comfortable with it.
A 10 year old boy, who was cleaning dishes until their arrival, brings both of them two glasses of tea
on his master’s order. Anil who is on a phone call, unaware of boy standing behind him, accidentally
touches the plate carrying tea glasses. Hot tea spills all over his shirt and glasses are broken into
pieces on the ground. The owner of the shop, seeing this, beats the boy to a pulp.
What would be your reaction as a human being and as a would be IAS officer if you were in Anil’s
place ? (250 Words)
Ethics Case Study – 16: Emotional Intelligence
Jyothi, a young IAS officer, was transferred to a Zilla Panchayat as its new Chief Executive Officer. It
was a punishment transfer, thanks to her impeccable personal and professional integrity, and short
temper.
Soon after her posting, a monthly review meeting was called by the ZP President. He was an
influential political figure in the district. In the meeting, one of President’s ardent followers, stood up
and directly questioned the CEO why his demand for sanctioning two borewells to his constituency
was not yet met. Other members joined him and in few minutes, the meeting hall was in ruckus. This
was premeditated to unsettle the new CEO, known for strict discipline.
She tried to explain that she would go through the files and would soon direct concerned officials to
take action. But members were unrelenting. CEO got angry and asked everyone to behave
themselves. This irked many and the commotion grew louder.
ZP President, take aback by the CEO’s outburst, shouted at her and spoke to her in singular using
derogatory language. He warned her that it was the right of members to question her and a protest
would be held outside against her. Jyothi was insulted in front of all the members and her pride was
hurt.
Explain how Jyothi could have handled the situation in the meeting and what should be her reaction
to the President’s insulting remarks against her?
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Ethics Case Study-17: Decision Making, Objectivity.
Mihir is a new Panchayat secretary. Within few days he got a circular which said that he should soon
conduct Grama Sabha to finalize the action plan of MGNREGA. Action plan contains the list of works
to be undertaken in the villages and their estimated expenditures. This should be decided in the
Grama Sabha and the decision of Gram Sabha is immutable.
The Gram Sabha was held and chairman, all elected members, officer in-charge,engineer, people
from villages debated and finally listed important works to be undertaken and the estimated
expenditure was decided there itself.
Next, this plan had to be approved in the Panchayat meeting and sent to Tehsil for further approval
for sanction of funds. The chairman of Panchayat, who was also a class-I contractor, met Mihir and
asked him to manipulate the funds estimates. Even few members who themselves were small time
contractors and who had previously used machines in MGNREGA scheme to finish works and draw
money, joined Chairman in demanding manipulation of the action plan.
Mihir strongly objected to this. On the day of meeting, which was a closed door meeting inside the
Panchayat office, he was manhandled by some members in the office after he resisted their attempt
to snatch the action plan and manipulate it, and was threatened that if he didn’t act according to
their orders, he would be thrashed again and again. Someone outside called the police. But when
police arrived, the chairman alleged that Panchayat secretary behaved in an indecent manner with
female members hence he was thrashed. Female members seconded this allegation.
Mihir was taken to police station. Police refused to accept his version of the incident, which was true.
He was helpless at the moment.
You are his superior officer (BDO). Mihir contacts you and tells you his part of the story. At the same
time, Panchayat members narrate their version. How will you proceed from here?
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Ethics Case Study-18: Ethical Dilemma
Sanjay was busy whole year making preparations for his only sister’s wedding. On the day of the
wedding, just before Vivah Muhurtam, the parents come to know that Mangalyam is missing. There
is a palpable tension around. Sanjay, who is very angry, tells everyone that he would buy one and
come back immediately. He had to come within an hour.
He goes to jewelry shop alone on a bike and buys a Mangalyam. While returning to wedding hall,
traffic police stops him as he is not wearing helmet. When inquired police come to know that Sanjay
does not possess driving licence too. He has to be there at the wedding hall within 15 minutes. He
explains this to police, but they insist that he should pay Rs 2500/- fine.
Sanjay has only Rs 500 left at the moment in his pocket. He says he has only Rs 500/- and he would
pay the fine later. Police say that if he can’t pay the fine he should leave his vehicle with them for now
and walk to the wedding hall, and later collect it by paying fine, or he pay Rs 500/- as bribe and go to
the wedding hall. He can’t walk as it would take more than an hour. His mobile is ringing incessantly.
Even if he asks someone to come and collect managlyam, it would take a lot of time. Going by auto
or taxi is also no option as he doesn’t have much time and moreover he can’t see any auto or taxi
stand in the vicinity. If he pays bribe, he can reach on time and save the marriage.
What are Sanjay’s options and which one he should choose?
Ethics Case Study-19: Ethics in Private Relationships; Moral Dilemma
Raghu and Ragini loved each other a lot. When everything seemed fine, Ragini was forcefully
married off to a wealthy guy by her parents and sent to a distant country thanks to Raghu’s lower
caste. Raghu was heartbroken and slipped into depression. He swore that he would either marry
Ragini or die of hunger.
However, luckily for him, he found a new friend in Rashmi. She was his classmate in his college days
and had loved him secretly, but never expressed it to him. Rashmi with her presence and constant
support made Raghu to forget the past. Raghu’s friends convinced him to marry Rashmi. He
married her. Though he didn’t love Rashmi, nevertheless he was happy to get a companion and liked
Rashmi very much.
Meanwhile, Ragini never loved her wealthy husband. Every day she was craving for Raghu, with
whom she was not in contact for many months now. Unfortunately her both parents got killed in a
road accident. She came back to India, but never returned to her husband. Now Ragini was alone
with no one around her for her support. She was the only child of her parents. She inquired about
Raghu. Came to know about his whereabouts and present condition. Still she contacted him and both
met secretly. She narrated how she loved him all theses days and expressed her desire to get married
to him despite knowing he was already married. Though, Raghu was pushed into chronic depression
indirectly by Ragini, he never hated her. In fact he still had soft corner for her. Now she had come for
him leaving everything behind.
What should Raghu do now?
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Ethics Case Study: 20
Rajendra is a reputed structural engineer and is working for a major metro rail project. He is in
charge of design,construction and positioning of pillars of metro flyover.
A junior engineer in his team tells him that there is a major flaw in two erected pillars supporting a
section of the flyover and they should be replaced/readjusted at any cost. These two pillars supported
a flyover curve and if collapsed, it would cause a major accident and put many lives into danger.
Moreover, in few days it is to be inaugurated for trial runs.
Rajendra brushes aside the apprehension and warning by his junior. But later in the evening, on
second thought, he once again scrutinizes his plans and drawings, and finds that his junior was
indeed right.
Accepting his mistake would tarnish his reputation for Rajendra. If any accident happens, which is
certain to happen at certain point of time in future, it would affect the reputation of the company that
constructed it. It will embarrass the government too.
Also, replacing the pillars would inflate the cost for the company and would further delay the project.
In this situation:
1) What should Rajendra ideally do?
2) What would be the legal and ethical consequences of Rajendra’s continued silence?
3) What are the qualities that are tested in this case study? Examine.
Ethics Case Study 21 – Ethical Dilemma
You are the Director of a reputed college. One of the most meritorious students of the College has
come to you with a request for a small upwards revision in his score. He has got 89.99% in the final
semester. But, it requires at at least 90% or above in each semester to qualify for higher studies in all
reputed Universities. He fulfils the criteria very well save the final semester.
Would you revise his score to 90% realizing his career prospects and given his academic
background? or Would you allow his merit to suffer just because of a tiny fraction of percentage and
rigid rules of the college? Justify. (100 words)
Provided by Aditya Jha
Ethics Case Study – 22
Question category - Decision making, impartiality and non-partisanship, tolerance and
compassion towards weaker section, emotional intelligence, dilemma
You are the DM of a hill district of an Indian state which has poor civil infrastructure. The Home
Minister of the state has same place his constituency. Unfortunately there is a clash continuing
between two group of laborers in a factory in the town on some unknown communal issues, but have
not caused casualties yet. The state Home Secretary has instructed you to monitor the situation and
prevent any miss-happening(s).
Around 9 pm in the evening it was raining heavily when you were informed that the minister had
met an accident. The Home Secretary again asked you to facilitate things there. Coincidentally the
time you reached hospital you see two brutally injured patients being pushed in simultaneously. You
realized one as the minister. A police officer meanwhile briefed you that the other one was a laborer
belonging to the minority community from the disputed site and had been brutally attacked around
the same time the minister met the accident.
The team of doctors had started their emergency care. But then the superintendent of the hospital
informed you of criticality of the two cases and said that both patients had casualties of same
magnitude (clinically) and required immediate operations which for the hospital had an OT
equipped minimally to carry one operation only. The town has no other private or govt. hospital to
carry such critical operation. You contacted the officials in capital for a helicopter to fly the minister
there but were informed that bad weather didn’t allow one. Roads in the rain will take 8 hours to
reach the capital and adjacent district headquarters cannot be accessed by road till morning. The
team of doctors is pushing you to take a decision between the two patients as who to be taken first for
operation. Meanwhile, the hospital superintendent hinted you that the other may succumb to his
injuries during the next 3 hours of operation.
Your choice is going to affect two lives. On one side is a VVIP and elected leader of masses, neglecting
whom will create political, professional, social and personal upheaval. On the other is a poor laborer,
lone bread earner of his large family. His death may lead to unwarranted situation of labor unrest
and communal clash both.
You, the DM, belong to the same minority community to which belongs this dying laborer. You see
the families of both the men. Women crying, children sobbing.
Assuming the above hypothesis true, propose an ideal approach as an administrator in the above
case. (300 Words)
Provided by: Prasoon Kaushik
Ethics Case Study – 23
Question category- laws, rules, regulations and conscience as source of ethical guidance /
Foundational values for civil services / empathy and compassion towards weaker section.
You, a graduate from a top medical college of the country made it to the civil services and got IAS.
After a few years you were made the DM of a left wing extremism affected backward district of an
already poor state. Unfortunately there is a drought continuing in this part of the country for
previous two years. You are visiting a few villages in a block deep in the forest inhabited by poor
tribals. There is a team of doctors, NGOs, media and police along with numerous support staffs with
you. You reach a village where the calamity is more monstrous than you had ever thought of as a
human. You are moved with the plight and the stories of ineffectiveness of the Govt. you learnt in
texts suddenly appears as true as the merciless sun above you.
Suddenly a young man comes running to your team and says that his pregnant wife is in labor and
losing blood. You asked a doctor to see it for. This doctor returns and conveys you that this woman
can be saved only if blood is “transfused immediately”. Upon enquiry you came to know that a few
blood collection bags (kits) are there in the ambulance accompanying your team. Meanwhile a few
people of the team turned up to volunteer for donation of blood. As a doctor you know that ethical
transfusion of blood is possible but unbanked transfusion of blood is illegal and warrants criminal
charges if pursued.
People meanwhile started pouring in suggestions. Few are for transfusion and few cited it to be
illegal. The doctors are ready to facilitate delivery but they ask an assurance that upon transfusion
they won’t be arrested. Unfortunately, there is a senior subordinate from your office witnessing the
event. He is the same guy you had suspended upon charges of unethical acts within weeks of
assuming charge despite his request for leniency and a promise of good conduct in future. On top of
all this is present a media person who has been reporting against you for past few months as part of a
conspiracy against you by a local politician.
You are stuck. Transfusion can be ethical, you know. You were taught service to humanity and people
in the medical school and as well as during IAS training. But saving this dying woman this way is
against law and will result in criminal proceedings against you and the concerned doctors.
Assuming above hypothesis true, propose your action. (200 words)
By
– Prasoon
Kaushik
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Ethics Case Study – 24
After finishing your IAS probationary training, you have come to visit your 85 year old grandmother
who stays in a remote backward village. You were received with lot of fanfare. At home,
grandmother, whom you love most is ecstatic and has made all the arrangements to make you feel
comfortable.
There is a steady stream of villagers visiting your home to see and talk to you. A childhood friend of
you, who belongs to a Scheduled Caste, much excited, rushes into the room where you are taking
rest. Your friend and villagers belonging to his caste are still observed as untouchables in the village.
Your grandmother, seeing your friend inside the room sitting next to you, gets very angry and abuses
him. She asks him to get out of the home immediately. She accuses him of polluting the home and
you. She insults him in front of you.
Your grandmother has committed an offence under section 7(1) of the Protection of Civil Rights Act,
1955. It is also an offence under SC/ST act 1989.
In this situation, what should you be doing? (150 Words)
not be repaid with his meager salary for many more years, and if he goes to USA, he will earn five
times more than his present earnings.
What should Sampath do now? What characters are being tested here? Justify your
answer.
Ethics Case Study – 25
Sampath is working in a Software company. His salary is not good. He is a divorcee and has ailing
parents to look after. He is living with them in a small rented house. His father, whom he respects
and loves a lot, is diagnosed with cancer and is on chemotherapy.
Sampath’s monthly salary is almost spent for medicine purpose. He also has large debt. His mother,
who was healthy till recently, is also sick most of the times. Sampath is the only son to his parents. As
an obedient and loving son, he is taking care of his parents in spite of large difficulties he is facing
financially.
His hard work was recognized by the company where he worked and now he is offered a high paying
job in USA at the company headquarters. All along it was his dream too. He has to leave for USA in
few days. He convinces his parents that he would send them money as soon as he reaches there and
asks his mother to look after his father. He also promises them that if all goes well, he would take
them to USA to live with him.
On the day of departure to USA, half an hour before his boarding time, Sampath receives a call from
his mother. Sobbing, she tells him that his father’s health has deteriorated and he is on the verge of
death. She requests him to do something. Sampath is not sure if his father would live or die even if he
is taken to the hospital right away.
If Sampath misses the plane, he may never get an opportunity like this. He has huge debt which can
Ethics case Study – 26
You are an Indian diplomat send to china to negotiate on border issue.
The diplomat you work with Mr. Xi is a senior diplomat and in a decision taking position.he has
great fondness for Indian culture.and his soft side makes him agree to some Indian demands
which otherwise might not go through that easily.
The pact is to be finalized in the next week but other modalities have to be worked out. On
Saturday Mr Xi invites you for a Chinese dinner at a famous restaurant. On the way back he
insists to drop you at your hotel and on the way his car hits two cyclists, injuring them fatally.
You were aware that he was driving fast and thus lost control.
The police comes to investigate the matter and you are the sole witness to it apart from Mr. Xi
and know it was a grave mistake on part of Mr xi.
Knowing the strict laws of china on road accidents, .your truthful account of incident could
implicate Mr Xi.and that just wont be an end to his career and harsh sentence, but would also
jeopardize the border pact which is of immense importance to India.
What are the dilemmas you face and will be your response to the situation?
By-SidWho?
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Ethics Case Study- 27
Arun joined a large private coal based power producing firm as a Graduate Trainee. After one year of
training at different facilities of the company he was finally posted at a production unit. In the past
one year of his service, Arun had availed a loan of INR 3 Lakhs from the company to pay off his
education loan. He had tough financial background and this benefit so early in the service won the
company a great admiration to Arun.
For past several days Arun has been making an observation at this unit. Late in the nights the
chimney of the unit spills off an unusual black smoke. He noticed it for a few days until upon some
enquiry he found out that the ESPs (device to separate coal ash from the smoke finally going to
chimney) are switched off to save power as they consume a substantial power produced to run them.
Arun knows that this is in violation of the law. ESPs shall mandatorily run in a coal based power
plant of a unit as this. Switching them off in a running plant violates the environmental laws.
Moreover in the long run this practice shall degrade the atmosphere of this area. He talks to his
manager but the manager asks him to keep off this and explains him that this company makes huge
money saving power by keeping ESPs off for a few hours daily. And he further cunningly says that no
one can see smoke late in the night in this sparsely populated forest area. A few days later Arun gets a
chance to see his unit head. He puts the issue back. The unit head warns him of dire consequences if
he further raises this issue. He also threatens him to sack. Next morning Arun is served with a showcause notice against some irregularities in his work and his identity card has been blocked for an
automatic attendance. His presence in the office was recorded in person by another staff but without
his signature.
Arun wants to complain this violation of environment to government authorities but in doing so he
will finally have to lose his job and loan repayment is a burden he cannot bear. If sacked on
corruption charges, he faces a chance of career blockade.
Suggest a path ahead for Arun. (150 words)
Ethics Case Study: 28
Source
Annie has been recently hired full time at a major tech company where she interned for two summers
during her college career. Annie loves her job and has established many strong relationships with her
co-workers over the time she has worked there. The company encourages the interns and new hires
to interact with VPs and upper management in order to create an open and friendly atmosphere.
During her time as an intern, Annie began to notice that one of the VPs paid her extra attention.
When he was around he would always make an extra effort to stop by Annie’s cubicle and chat:
something he did not do with any of the other interns. He reached out to her over social networking
sites and even invited her to a gathering at his house. Some of her co-workers began to make offhand
comments to Annie about the extra attention.
Now that she was in a full time position, Annie began to dread that she would soon have to work with
this VP directly. While he has not done or said anything explicitly inappropriate, the extra
attention—and the fact that her co-workers noticed it—made her very uncomfortable and
undermined her concentration on work. When she was hired, she was told that she should always
speak to her manager if she was uncomfortable or had issues with the work environment. While at
the same time, she is afraid to come across like a tattletale since the VP hasn’t explicitly done
anything wrong.
What course of action should Annie take?
Ethics Case Study – 29
(Read this useful article before solving Ethics Case Studies)
Every District Collector wants the local newspaper to run positive stories about his works in his
district. Few, thankfully, hide behind a fake name to write only positive articles.
Aman, DM of a famous district, felt the major local paper, was not writing enough positive articles
about him, so he decided to submit his own stories, under a fake name.
The paper encourages “citizen journalists” to submit stories to get a more local angle. “I thought
about all the people just reading about crime in our city and nothing better,” said the DM.
Although he was not paid for his articles, he established a relationship with the paper, a television
Web site, and a weekly paper – all by using email and phone conversations. Using his alias, he wrote
more than a dozen articles. In some he quoted himself. He did not apologize for his actions.
However his alias was a real person. DM had used the real photo to convince the publishers. Now the
real person is hurt and enraged. He accuses DM of lying to the public.
• Do you think DM should resign?
• Should the government take any action, such as a censure?
• Is this action serious enough to prompt a recall?
• Can the public trust an official who has misrepresented himself?
(Modified Case Study – Original Here)
Ethics Case Study 30
Read this article before you proceed
A former employee who was fired due to poor quality work, absences, and lateness related to her
drinking problem, informs you that she has applied for a position at another company and has
already given your name as a reference. She desperately needs a job (she is a single parent with three
children), and she asks you to give her a good recommendation and not mention her drinking, which
she assures you is now under control.
She also asks you to say that she voluntarily left the company to address a family medical crisis, and
that the company was pleased with her work. You like this person and believe she is a good worker
when she is not drinking. You doubt that she really has overcome her drinking problem, however,
and you would not recommend your own company hire her back.

What do you say to this woman?

What do you say to an employer who calls you for a reference?

What if the prospective employer was a friend?

Suppose the problem was a theft?

Suppose she had asked you to be a reference prior to supplying your name to her prospective
employer?

What values are at stake? Do some of the values conflict with one another?
Source: Here