VisionIAS - Video Classroom Lecture

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VisionIAS - Video Classroom Lecture

Ethics Class 04

VALUE, ATTITUDE, MORAL & ETHICS (09:05 AM)

What are these concepts?
They are defined as a mental construct that acts as a behaviour regulation instrument.
They help in:
i) Influencing choices
ii) Guiding decision making
iii) Directing behaviour
What are they made up of?
Belief: It is an internal feeling that something is true even without proof.
It is referred to as the mental conviction of an individual or a group.
Belief is shaped by personal experiences, societal influences, cultural context, family values evidence, superstition, etc.
Belief gives us hope in which people thrive. Beliefs are personal and can vary from one person to another.
Religious Belief: Belief in God.
Cultural Belief: Touching elders' feet brings blessings.
Personal Belief: Confidence in one's ability to clear the UPSC exam.
Moral Belief: Honesty is the best policy.
Scientific Belief: The Earth orbits the sun.
There are two types of beliefs Core Belief and Peripheral Belief.
Both core and peripheral beliefs can be challenged, but peripheral beliefs can be easily changed.
Core beliefs are long-lasting beliefs, based on what one considers worthwhile. It gives rise to values.
Belief vs Values
Belief:
Lying is wrong
Cheating is immoral
Women are weak, passive, dependent
Values:
Honesty, truthfulness
Loyalty, sincerity
Patriarchal values
Emotions:
Emotions are referred to as bodily arousal which is a reaction to an event either internal or external.
Emotions are reflected through actions and when expressed through appropriate actions it gives us a sense of relief.
Behavioural Tendencies:
It refers to the desire for action but does not guarantee action.

CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES (09:44 AM)

Static vs. Dynamic
VAME is relatively permanent.
It is the source of our identity.
It requires investment of time, cost & energy.
Hence, it is not dynamic.
However, change can be accommodated in the following ways:
By admitting multiple behaviours under the same value.
Sudden experiences in life like the Kalinga War and the experiences of Gautam Buddha.
Drastic Changes in Environment:
Exposure to new cultures, societies, or influential groups can modify values.
Example: Radicalization of youth due to extremist propaganda.
Culture-Specific Vs Universal:
Values are the adhesive which binds the people of the society together.
For any society to survive:
require harmony & stability
one of the pre-requisites
Value Consensus
Hence, values are culture-specific.
Values are the adhesive which binds the people of society together.
India vs. West
Indian Society: Collectivism, Cooperation, Strong Religious Orientation, Delayed Gratification
West: Individualism, Competition, Secularization, Consumerism
However, there are some values that transcend the borders of society and are universal.
Universal Values:
Values that transcend cultural boundaries and are shared globally.
Examples: Love, happiness, compassion, antipathy, apathy, and sympathy.
Absolute versus Relative Values
Absolute Perspective:
Certain actions are intrinsically right or wrong, regardless of context or consequences.
Examples:
Kantian Ethics: Stealing is always wrong, even if done for a noble cause.
Rejecting Robin Hood’s actions as unethical despite the intention to help the poor.
Upholding truthfulness even when it may lead to harm (e.g., the sage revealing the hiding place of a fugitive).
Characteristics:
Actions are judged based on universal moral laws.
No exceptions to moral rules.
Relative Perspective:
VAME is context-dependent and varies based on circumstances, culture, and time.
Characteristics:
Recognizes the complexity of ethical decisions in real-life situations.
Adapts moral judgments based on outcomes and societal norms.
Examples:
Jumping a traffic signal to rush an injured person to the hospital.
Lying to protect someone from unjust harm.
Cultural practices like cross-cousin marriages or live-in relationships are acceptable in some societies but taboo in others.
Balancing Absolute and Relative Perspectives :
Both perspectives offer valuable insights.
Absolute ethics provide moral clarity, while relative ethics offer adaptability.
Wise judgment involves considering both universal principles and situational factors.
Subjective versus Objective Values
Subjective Values :
Values are based on personal opinions, feelings, and perspectives.
Characteristics:
Vary from person to person, Taste in food, music, fashion, etc.
Influenced by individual experiences and preferences.
Examples:
Art appreciation: One person may value a painting highly, while another may not.
Personal happiness sources: Activities that bring joy to one individual may not affect another.
Objective Values :
Values that exist independently of individual opinions.
Characteristics:
Universal and consistent.
Unaffected by personal beliefs.
Examples:
Fundamental duties as prescribed by a constitution.
Scientific laws like gravity or Standardized indices like the Happiness Index, use objective measures to assess societal well-being.
The debate between Subjective and Objective Value :
Some argue values like beauty, wisdom, and justice are universal.
Others contend that perceptions of these values are inherently subjective.
Recognizing this debate is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of ethics.

INTER-RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BELIEF, VALUES, ATTITUDE, MORALS & ETHICS (11:01 AM)

Refer to the Flowchart Drawn in Class
Central Role of Values
Values are long-lasting beliefs based on preferences about what is important.
They serve as the foundation from which attitudes, morals, and ethics emerge.
Values are the guiding principles expressed in terms of "should" statements.
From Values to Attitudes
Attitudes:
Formed when values are tied to specific objects or situations.
Reflect an individual's favourable or unfavourable evaluation of an object.
Characteristics:
Specific determinants of behaviour.
Better predictors of how an individual will act in a given situation.
Example:
Valuing environmental conservation leads to a positive attitude toward recycling programs.

Parameters	Ethics	Morals
1. Concept	What is the right thing to do for an actor in a situation	The standard of behaviour an individual has set for themselves wrt right/wrong
2. Source	External / Societal	Internal / Individual
3. Why do we follow them?	Because society says it is the right thing to do	Because we think it is the right thing to do
4. What if we deviate?	Social boycott	Anxiety, guilt, remorse
5. Flexibility	Since it is a collective proposition of society, hence relatively more objective than morals	It varies from individual to individual, hence highly subjective

CRISIS OF CONSCIENCE (11:34 AM)

Conscience:
It is an intuitive authoritative judgement that helps individuals distinguish between right and wrong.
Crisis of Conscience:
It is defined as a situation which occurs when there is a conflict between inner moral conditions and external expectations.
Moral dilemmas, emotional turmoil and pressure from authority or society characterize it.
A crisis of Conscience can occur both before an action and after an action.
Example: A soldier in war accidentally harms a civilian.
A whistleblower at a company, initially struggled with whether or not, to expose illegal practices,
The philosophy of Nishkaam Karma from Bhagwat Geeta encourages individuals to focus on duty and righteousness rather than, personal gain or fear.
Conscience continuously alerts individuals about moral divergence
Conscience is like a dog which can never bite but never stops barking
Navigating CoC is very important for personal integrity and societal trust.

Topic for the next class: Crisis of Conscience (Continued)