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04 Aug 2025
GS Paper 4
Theoretical Questions
Day 43: "Act only according to that maxim whereby you can, at the same time, will that it should become a universal law."How can Kant’s categorical imperative guide ethical decision-making in civil services? (150 words)
Approach:
- Begin by introducing Immanuel Kant’s Categorical Imperative as a deontological ethical framework.
- In body explain its core idea- universalizability of moral action, and how this aligns with civil service values and how it guides ethical decision-making in various situations.
- Conclude suitably.
Introduction:
Immanuel Kant’s categorical imperative advocates for actions based on universal moral laws. For civil servants, it offers a robust framework for ethical decision-making, ensuring that their actions are guided by principles that can be universally applied, fostering fairness, justice, and accountability.
Body:
Universalizability in Decision-Making
- Kant’s categorical imperative urges civil servants to act according to rules that can be universally applied.
- A decision made by a civil servant should be one that could be consistently followed by everyone without causing harm.
- For example, a government official handling public procurement should ensure that the process is transparent and open to all suppliers, ensuring fairness, and preventing favoritism.
Impartiality and Justice
- Civil servants must make decisions impartially, ensuring equality for all individuals and communities.
- Kant’s principle emphasizes that decisions should not be influenced by personal biases or external pressures.
- For instance, in the distribution of relief materials during a natural disaster, civil servants must ensure that aid is given based on need and not political influence, ensuring that every citizen is treated fairly.
Upholding Accountability and Transparency
- Accountability is a central tenet of the categorical imperative. Civil servants must ensure that their actions are open to scrutiny and that they are responsible for their decisions.
- A police officer enforcing the law must ensure that laws are applied equally to all individuals, regardless of their status, ensuring that actions can be universally justified.
Promoting the Greater Good
- Kant’s categorical imperative calls civil servants to act for the greater good of society, promoting policies and decisions that benefit the public welfare.
- For example, in public health policy, ensuring equal access to healthcare services for all citizens, irrespective of their socioeconomic status, aligns with Kant’s principle of acting for universal benefit.
Conclusion:
Kant’s categorical imperative serves as a guiding principle for civil servants to ensure ethical decision-making, emphasizing justice, impartiality, and accountability. By adhering to this principle, civil servants can promote fairness and public trust in governance.
