Ethics is a tactical subject. To top it all, it is loaded with 120 marks-worth application-based case studies. Too much technicality makes it the most disliked subject by UPSC CSE aspirants. But since one cannot ignore it, so it is better to learn how to approach case studies properly and make it to the holy PDF. To help you with the ethics case studies for UPSC, Eden IAS has rolled out a special program on Ethics case studies.
All you need to know about case studies UPSC
It is a 10-week-long course spreading over 50 classes. Each of these classes will be of 3 hours duration. Mr. Tirthankar Roychowdhary has curated four books that comprehensively and intensively cover the entire syllabus of the GS-IV paper. These booklets are:
-
- Glossary for Ethics
- Theoretical Framework
- 70 Thinkers & Thoughts
- Ethics case studies for UPSC
The best part is that these booklets are more than enough. One need not read the traditional Ethics study material such as Lexicon for Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude, Human Values – IGNOU material, Santosh Ajmera & Nanda Kishore Reddy’s Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude –
A Short Introduction to Ethics by Dr. S.N. Singh or Arihant’s Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude. If one goes through these four booklets thoroughly, then one can ace ethics with grace.
Ethics case studies for UPSC
Case studies have a weightage of 120 marks out of 250. So, it becomes integral to attempt them and fetch handsome marks from the examiner. The last booklist has over 100 case studies including startup case studies, deontological case studies and business case studies.
As per Mr. Roychowdhary, there are multiple approaches to case studies. But he recommends a specific approach call the “10-step generic approach”.
Step 1: Lay out the integral facts given in the question.
Step 2: Identify the stakeholders and categorize them into primary/specific stakeholders and other/generic stakeholders. Here, the process of ethical mapping commences.
Step 3: Identify the interests of these stakeholders.
Step 4: Next step is to identify the interests of the stakeholders that tend to clash with each other. This is call “conflict of interests”.
Step 5: Interests always have an underlying value. The next step is to identify these very values. There is not a clash of interests but a clash of values. This is known as “ethical dilemma”.
Step 6: Lay down all the situations of ethical dilemma or ethical paradox.
Step 7: List down the options that can be potential solutions to the case study. If the options are already given, then analyze their merits and demerits. Here, the process of ethical mapping ends.
Step 8: Pick an appropriate option from the aforementioned ones. This is called “ethical judgment”.
Step 9: Morally reason and henceforth, justify your ethical judgment.
Step 10: Use a quote or 2-3 lines to give a nice conclusion to your case study.
Hence, this Case Studies UPSC course will guide you in the right direction for Ethics case studies for UPSC and you will end up clearing the exam with flying colors.
