TOPIC : Public/Civil service values and Ethics in Public administration: Status and problems;
ethical concerns and dilemmas in government and private institutions; laws, rules, regulations
and conscience as sources of ethical guidance; accountability and ethical governance;
strengthening of ethical and moral values in governance; ethical issues in international
relations and funding; corporate governance.
6) There is an ample yet subtle difference between ethics, morals and laws. Discuss.(250 words)
Why this question
Morals and ethics are closely related concepts, which although similar in many respects have very subtle differences between them. Both are one of the basic concepts in the study of ethics and law is often compared to them. The question is related to GS 4 syllabus under the following heading-
Key demand of the question
The question wants us to simply differentiate between morals, laws and ethics; their source, meaning, aim etc.
Discuss- we have to write in detail about the given issue i.e difference between morals, laws and ethics.
Structure of the answer-
Introduction- mention that ethics, morals and laws are closely related concepts but they differ from each other in many respects.
Discuss and differentiate between Laws morals and ethics in points- (origins, what they mean, what they intend, repercussions of not following them etc.).
Conclusion– form a fair, balanced and concise conclusion based on the above-held discussion and on the basis of similarities between them .