Ruchika Jha Ethics Notes

Ethics

2023 -- 114

2024-- 105

I struggled a lot in ethics paper in terms of getting the right notes, which could fetch me maximum marks. I ended up making a mosaic of so many different resources and I got overwhelmed by it. So, choose a single resource to cover the basic keywords of the syllabus and have it one place. One can use Decode Ethics by Mudit Jain to cover basics.

Some parts of GS 2 and GS 4 overlap, so don't make separate notes for them. Cover them in GS 2 and then use it in GS 4 or vice-versa.

Secondly, examples in the GS 4 paper are a game changer. I used to collect examples from newspapers on daily basis. I had a digital compilation of the examples as per the syllabus keywords. I will share that compilation here, so that you get a fair idea about it. Additionally, I would suggest reading The Speaking Tree column of the Times of India. It gives beautiful quotes, explanations, perspectives etc which can be used verbatim in answers.

Lastly, answer writing in ethics I think is the most important part. Practicing answer writing in ethics will give huge returns as compared to other GS papers. Focus on all three types of question - direct questions, quote based questions, case studies.

Direct questions are easy to answer as per the structure of the question. The tricky part is quote based questions. Have a format of your own for quote based questions. It will save your thinking time in the examination hall. Try to give examples for every argument. In case studies, try to have different approaches for each case study so that the examiner doesn't get bored while checking your answers.

Use keywords from the syllabus in your answers. For example, transparency, accountability, code of conduct, corporate governance etc.

Use names of philosophers like Immanuel Kant, J S Mill, Saint Thiruvalluvar etc

Other keywords from ideas like utilitarianism, Deep ecology, Teleological approach, relativistic ethics etc.

Lastly, have a set of names ready which could be used in answers. For example, 5 western philosophers and 5 eastern philosophers and their basic ideas could be used smartly in answers and case studies. This will reduce the cramming part and save time for execution of what we have studied.

PS: Keep a strong hold of PYQs.

All the best 💯