# GTU Sem 5 Professional Ethics (PE) Winter 2020 paper solutions | 3150709

Q1

(a) Define Ethics, Personal Ethics and Professional Ethics.

• Ethics: A branch of philosophy that involves systematizing, defending, and recommending concepts of right and wrong behavior.
• Personal Ethics: Moral principles and values an individual upholds in their personal life, guiding their behavior and choices.
• Professional Ethics: Ethical standards and principles specific to a profession, guiding professionals in their work conduct and decision-making.

(b) Describe Relationship between morality and Laws.

• Overlap: Both aim to guide behavior and maintain order in society.
• Differences: Morality is based on personal or societal values, while laws are formal legal rules enforced by the state.
• Influence: Morality can influence the creation of laws; however, not all moral principles are codified into law.
• Compliance: Legal compliance is mandatory, whereas adherence to morality is more personal and subjective.

(c) Explain Morality, Etiquette and Professional Codes

• Morality:
  • Nature: Involves principles of right and wrong behavior, often based on societal, cultural, or personal beliefs.
  • Application: Guides individuals in making personal decisions and judgments about ethical behavior.
  • Subjectivity: Morality can vary widely between cultures and individuals.
• Etiquette:
  • Nature: Refers to the customary codes of polite behavior in society or among members of a particular profession or group.
  • Social Interaction: Primarily concerned with manners and social conduct, less about moral judgments.
  • Cultural Variation: Etiquette rules can vary significantly across different cultures and contexts.
• Professional Codes:
  • Nature: Set of rules or standards pertaining to ethical behavior and responsibilities in a specific profession.
  • Enforcement: Often enforced by professional organizations, with consequences for violations.
  • Purpose: Designed to maintain integrity, quality, and public trust in the profession.
  • Specificity: Usually tailored to address ethical dilemmas and responsibilities specific to a particular profession.

Q2

(a) Explain Principles of Personal Ethics

• Honesty: Being truthful and transparent in personal actions and communications.
• Integrity: Upholding moral principles consistently in all aspects of life.
• Respect for Others: Treating people with dignity and consideration, recognizing their rights and values.

(b) Explain Principles of Professional Ethics.

• Responsibility: Being accountable for professional actions and decisions.
• Fairness: Treating all stakeholders equally and without prejudice.
• Confidentiality: Respecting and protecting sensitive information entrusted by clients or employers.
• Professional Competence: Maintaining and improving professional knowledge and skills.

(c) Explain Honesty, Integrity, Transparency are the touchstones of Business Ethics.

• Honesty:
  • Building Trust: When a business is honest in its dealings, it earns the trust of customers and partners. This means being truthful about products, services, and business practices.
  • Reliability: Honesty ensures that the business provides accurate and truthful information. This builds a reputation for reliability.
• Integrity:
  • Staying True to Values: Integrity means sticking to ethical values, even when it's difficult. This consistent behavior builds respect and trust.
  • Setting a Good Example: Leaders who show integrity inspire their employees to do the same, creating an overall ethical workplace.
• Transparency:
  • Clear Communication: Being transparent means sharing important information openly with customers, employees, and stakeholders. This helps everyone understand the business better and builds stronger relationships.
  • Being Accountable: Transparency also means that a business is willing to be open about its decisions and actions. This openness makes the business more accountable and can prevent unethical practices.

Q3

(a) Explain concept of Ethical dilemmas.

• Definition: An ethical dilemma is a situation where a person faces conflicting moral choices, with no clear right or wrong answer.
• Characteristics: Involves choosing between equally undesirable or favorable alternatives, often with significant consequences.
• Moral Conflict: Presents a conflict between different ethical principles, values, or personal beliefs.

(b) Explain types of approach to resolve ethical dilemmas?

• Utilitarian Approach: Deciding based on the outcome that provides the greatest good for the greatest number.
• Rights-Based Approach: Making decisions that respect and protect the rights of all involved.
• Fairness or Justice Approach: Choosing the action that treats everyone equally and fairly.
• Common Good Approach: Considering the decision's impact on the community or society as a whole.
• Virtue Approach: Reflecting on what a virtuous person would do in the same situation.

(c) How to resolve ethical Problems?

1. Identify the Ethical Issues: Clearly define the ethical dilemma and the conflicting values and principles involved.
2. Gather Information: Collect all relevant facts and information to understand the full context of the dilemma.
3. Consider the Consequences: Think about the short-term and long-term outcomes of each possible action for all stakeholders.
4. Evaluate Alternatives: Assess different courses of action, considering various ethical approaches (utilitarian, rights-based, fairness, common good, virtue).
5. Seek Guidance: Consult with colleagues, mentors, or ethical committees for diverse perspectives and advice.
6. Make a Decision: Choose the course of action that best aligns with ethical principles and the individual's or organization's values.
7. Reflect on the Decision: After acting, reflect on the decision and its outcomes to learn and improve future ethical decision-making.
8. Implement and Communicate: Effectively implement the decision and communicate it clearly to all relevant stakeholders.

Q4

(a) Explain codes of personal ethics for Employees.

• Integrity: Upholding honesty and strong moral principles in all actions.
• Responsibility: Being accountable for personal actions and decisions in the workplace.
• Respect for Others: Treating colleagues and clients with respect, fairness, and understanding.

(b) Explain various Ethical models that guide decision making.

• Utilitarian Model: Focuses on outcomes, aiming for the greatest good for the greatest number.
• Rights-Based Model: Prioritizes respecting and protecting the rights of individuals involved.
• Fairness or Justice Model: Emphasizes treating everyone equally and making impartial decisions.
• Common Good Model: Seeks decisions that contribute to the community or societal welfare.
• Virtue Ethics Model: Centers on the character and virtues of the decision-maker, like honesty and compassion.

(c) Explain Kohlberg’s model of cognitive moral development.

1. Pre-conventional Level:
   • Stage 1 (Obedience and Punishment Orientation): Behavior is driven by avoiding punishment.
   • Stage 2 (Self-Interest Orientation): Decisions are based on self-interest and rewards.
2. Conventional Level:
   • Stage 3 (Interpersonal Accord and Conformity): Actions are guided by social approval and maintaining good relationships.
   • Stage 4 (Authority and Social Order Maintaining Orientation): Upholding law, order, and authority is the focus.
3. Post-conventional Level:
   • Stage 5 (Social Contract Orientation): Recognizes societal rules but understands they can be changed for the greater good.
   • Stage 6 (Universal Ethical Principles): Guided by internal moral principles that apply universally, beyond specific laws.

Kohlberg's model suggests moral understanding evolves through these stages as individuals grow and gain experience. It implies ethical decision-making becomes more sophisticated and principled over time.

Q5

(a) List outs Latest Technologies used for disaster management.

1. Drones and UAVs: For surveillance, damage assessment, and delivering supplies to inaccessible areas.
2. Geographic Information Systems (GIS): To map and analyze the impact zones and plan response strategies.
3. Early Warning Systems: Using sensors and satellite technology for early warnings of natural disasters like tsunamis and earthquakes.

(b) How to apply moral philosophy to Ethical decision making?

1. Utilitarianism: Assessing decisions based on the greatest good for the greatest number.
2. Deontology: Adhering to moral duties and rules regardless of outcomes.
3. Virtue Ethics: Focusing on the character and virtues of the decision-maker, such as honesty and courage.
4. Relativism: Considering the cultural and contextual factors influencing ethical judgments.

(c) Short note on Ethics of Swami Vivekananda

• Humanitarian Principles: Emphasized serving humanity as the highest form of worship.
• Universal Brotherhood: Advocated for universal brotherhood and equality, transcending all barriers of race, religion, and nationality.
• Education and Self-Empowerment: Stressed the importance of education in moral and character development.
• Truth and Honesty: Advocated for a life based on truth and honesty, considering them as the foundations of all virtues.
• Spiritual Liberation: Promoted the idea of spiritual liberation through self-discipline and ethical living.
• Harmony of Religions: Believed in the harmony of different religions and the universal truths underlying all faiths.
• Social Reforms: Actively spoke against social evils and worked towards uplifting the underprivileged, emphasizing the ethical duty to serve the poor and the needy.

Q6

(a) Explain Rules for Ethical decision making for cross over conflicts

1. Respect for Cultural Differences: Recognizing and respecting the diverse cultural backgrounds and values involved in the conflict.
2. Seek Common Ground: Finding universal ethical principles or common values that transcend cultural differences.
3. Ethical Relativism with Limits: Being sensitive to cultural norms while ensuring that actions do not violate fundamental ethical principles like human rights.

(b) Explain influences on Ethical Decision making

1. Cultural Norms and Values: The cultural background and societal norms can greatly influence perceptions of what is ethical.
2. Personal Beliefs and Values: Individual morals and beliefs shape how one interprets ethical dilemmas.
3. Organizational Culture: The ethical climate and practices within an organization can influence decision-making processes.
4. Legal and Professional Standards: Laws and professional guidelines provide a framework for ethical decision-making.

(c) Short note on Ethics of Mahatma Gandhi.

• Truth (Satya): Gandhi placed utmost importance on truth, both in personal conduct and public life, considering it a fundamental ethical principle.
• Non-violence (Ahimsa): Advocated for non-violence not just in actions but in thoughts and words, believing it to be a powerful ethical tool for social change.
• Self-discipline (Brahmacharya): Emphasized self-discipline and control over personal desires as crucial for ethical living.
• Simplicity (Aparigraha): Practiced and advocated for a simple lifestyle, minimizing possessions and needs, reflecting his ethical stance against materialism.
• Equality: Fought against discrimination and advocated for equal rights, emphasizing the ethical principle of treating all individuals equally.
• Satyagraha: Introduced the concept of Satyagraha (truth-force), a form of non-violent resistance, as an ethical means of protest and social change.
• Sarvodaya: The welfare of all – Gandhi believed in the progress and development of society as a whole, promoting an ethical framework that benefits everyone.

Q7

(a) Explain Nature and Scope of Quality of work Life.

• Nature: Refers to the overall environment in the workplace, impacting employee satisfaction and productivity.
• Scope: Includes job security, work conditions, work-life balance, opportunities for growth, and employee recognition.
• Goal: To create a workplace that is healthy, safe, and encourages a positive work culture.

(b) Describe Lessons from Ancient Indian Education system.

1. Holistic Development: Focused on the all-round development of a student, including physical, mental, and spiritual aspects.
2. Guru-Shishya Tradition: Emphasized the deep, respectful relationship between teacher and student.
3. Value-Based Learning: Incorporated moral and ethical values alongside academic learning.
4. Customized Learning: Tailored education to suit individual student’s talents and interests.

(c) Short note on Ethics of Sri Aurobindo Ghose.

• Integral Yoga: Advocated for the integration of spiritual practices with daily life, aiming for a harmonious development of the body, mind, and soul.
• Human Unity: Emphasized the importance of unity among all human beings, transcending national, racial, and religious barriers.
• Evolution of Consciousness: Believed in the evolution of human consciousness towards a higher reality, guiding ethical behavior and societal progress.
• Truth and Knowledge: Placed a high value on the pursuit of truth and knowledge, considering them essential for ethical and spiritual growth.
• Inner Development: Stressed the importance of inner development and self-realization in achieving ethical living.
• Society and Individual: Advocated for the development of society through the spiritual evolution of each individual.
• Transformation of Life: Aimed for the transformation of human life into a divine life, believing that this would lead to the highest ethical standards.

Q8

(a) Enlist Advantages of Quality of work Life.

1. Improved Employee Satisfaction: Better work-life balance leads to happier, more content employees.
2. Increased Productivity: A supportive and positive work environment enhances employee efficiency and productivity.
3. Reduced Turnover: High quality of work life improves employee retention, reducing turnover costs.

(b) How is the Law of Karma useful for the managers/ Professionals?

1. Ethical Decision-Making: Encourages making decisions based on fairness and ethical considerations.
2. Long-Term Perspective: Fosters a focus on long-term consequences rather than short-term gains.
3. Responsibility and Accountability: Highlights the importance of being responsible and accountable for one's actions.
4. Team Morale and Integrity: Promotes a culture of integrity and positive actions, improving team morale and trust.

(c) Short note on Ethics of Rabindranath Tagore.

• Harmony with Nature: Tagore emphasized living in harmony with nature, advocating for an ethical relationship with the environment.
• Universal Humanism: Believed in the unity of humanity beyond boundaries of nation, race, and religion, promoting universal brotherhood.
• Creativity and Freedom: Stressed the importance of creativity and freedom of thought, considering them essential for ethical and intellectual development.
• Education for Liberation: Advocated for an education system that liberates the mind and spirit, not just imparts knowledge.
• Social Reforms: Spoke against social evils and promoted social reforms, emphasizing ethical responsibility towards the underprivileged.
• Peace and Non-violence: Advocated for peace and non-violence, reflecting ethical principles similar to those of Gandhi.
• Spiritual Ethical Vision: His works often reflect a deep spiritual ethical vision, seeking to find unity and harmony in the diversity of human experience.