Mains Practice Questions

1. Knowing others is intelligence, knowing yourself is true wisdom.

Quotes to Enrich Your Essay:

• Lao Tzu: “He who knows others is wise; he who knows himself is enlightened.”
• Socrates: “To know thyself is the beginning of wisdom.”
• Carl Jung: “Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.”

Theoretical and Philosophical Dimensions:

• Difference Between Intelligence and Wisdom:
  • Intelligence relates to analytical thinking, problem-solving, and external observation.
  • Wisdom is rooted in introspection, self-awareness, and moral judgment.
  • One can master facts about the world (intelligence) but still lack clarity about oneself (wisdom).
• Indian Philosophy – Self-Knowledge as Liberation:
  • In Vedanta, Atma Jnana (knowledge of the self) is the highest form of knowledge.
  • The Bhagavad Gita teaches that understanding one’s duty (Swadharma) requires deep self-awareness.
• Psychological and Cognitive Insights:
  • Emotional Intelligence (Daniel Goleman): Self-awareness is the foundation of leadership and interpersonal success.
  • Jungian psychology emphasizes shadow work – knowing your unconscious motivations is key to inner balance.
• Modern Thought:
  • In a world of social media and constant comparison, knowing others has become easier, but knowing oneself remains elusive.
  • The age of surveillance capitalism can offer data about people but not insight into personal purpose or fulfillment.

Policy and Historical Examples:

• Gautama Buddha:
  • His quest for enlightenment began with introspection, not conquest or study of others. His teachings on suffering and desire emerged from deep self-realization.
• Mahatma Gandhi:
  • Gandhi's philosophy of Satyagraha was built on self-discipline and self-knowledge.
  • He experimented with truth, believing that change in society begins with personal transformation.
• APJ Abdul Kalam:
  • Known for his scientific intelligence, he repeatedly emphasized the importance of understanding one's inner potential and values to lead a meaningful life.

Contemporary Examples:

• Mental Health Awareness:
  • Increased focus on self-reflection, mindfulness, and therapy reflects the growing value of self-knowledge over mere outward success.
• Leadership Failures and Successes:
  • Corporate and political failures often stem from ego, lack of empathy, and poor self-awareness—not from lack of intelligence.
  • Leaders like Jacinda Ardern have shown that emotional wisdom and self-awareness foster inclusive and compassionate governance.
• Youth and Career Choices:
  • In a hyper-competitive environment, knowing personal interests, strengths, and values is more critical than simply mimicking successful others.

2. Technological advancement is not a substitute for ethical responsibility, but a vehicle for its expression.

Quotes to Enrich Your Essay:

• Albert Einstein: “It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity.”
• Martin Luther King Jr.: “Our scientific power has outrun our spiritual power. We have guided missiles and misguided men.”

Theoretical and Philosophical Dimensions:

• Ethics vs. Innovation:
  • Technological progress is value-neutral; its impact depends on ethical application.
  • Tools like AI, biotechnology, and surveillance can liberate or oppress depending on their ethical deployment.
• Utilitarianism and Deontology:
  • Technology should aim at the greatest good (utilitarianism) but must also respect rights and duties (Kantian ethics).
  • Mere innovation without accountability can violate human dignity and justice.
• The Role of Dharma (Indian Ethics):
  • In Indian thought, actions (karma) are judged not just by outcomes but by intention and duty (dharma).
  • Technological power must align with moral responsibility.

Policy and Historical Examples:

• Atomic Bomb vs. Nuclear Energy:
  • The same discovery led to Hiroshima and sustainable energy. The choice lies in ethical intent.
• Aadhaar and Digital Governance:
  • A technological marvel in public service delivery, but concerns about data privacy and surveillance point to the need for ethical checks and accountability.
• COVID-19 Response:
  • Vaccines were a technological triumph, but their equitable distribution (COVAX vs. vaccine nationalism) revealed ethical gaps in global governance.

Contemporary Examples:

• AI and Algorithmic Bias:
  • AI can improve lives (healthcare, agriculture), but lack of ethical oversight can reinforce discrimination (e.g., facial recognition bias).
• Social Media Platforms:
  • Technological platforms like Facebook and Twitter shape global discourse but also amplify hate speech and misinformation.
  • The ethical responsibility of content moderation and data protection is central to their long-term legitimacy.
• Green Technologies:
  • Solar energy, electric vehicles, and carbon capture are tech responses to climate change — reflecting ethical responsibility toward future generations.
• Space Exploration:
  • Billionaire-led ventures into space raise ethical questions: Should resources focus on space colonization or on solving Earth’s urgent problems?