“A mere compliance with law is not enough, the public servant also has to have a well-developed sensibility to ethical issues for effective discharge of duties” Do you agree? Explain with the help of two examples where (i) an act is ethically right, but not legally and (ii) an act is legally right, but not ethically.
Introduction
I agree that mere legal compliance is insufficient for effective public service. Ethical sensibility provides the moral compass essential for true public welfare beyond minimum legal standards.
Body
It guides public servants towards fairness, justice, and compassion in complex situations. This builds public trust, ensures accountability, and enables judicious discretion, serving the law's spirit, not just its letter.
Ethically Right, Not Legally
A public servant bending a minor rule to expedite urgent, life-saving medical aid for a critically ill citizen, though technically against protocol, is ethically right but not legally compliant.
Legally Right, Not Ethically
A public servant strictly enforcing a discriminatory law, causing severe hardship to a vulnerable community by denying essential services, is legally correct but ethically reprehensible.
Conclusion
Thus, a well-developed ethical sensibility is paramount for public servants to uphold governance standards and truly serve citizens' best interests.
139 words · target ~150
The directive requires the candidate to state their agreement with the given statement and then elaborate on it using two specific examples as requested.
Suggested structure
Introduction: Agreement with the statement
Elaboration: Why ethical sensibility is crucial beyond legal compliance
Example 1: An act ethically right, but not legally
Example 2: An act legally right, but not ethically
Conclusion: Reiteration of the importance of ethical sensibility
Key points
Agreement that mere legal compliance is insufficient for effective public service.
Legal compliance sets minimum standards, while ethical sensibility guides actions towards true public welfare, fairness, and justice.
Ethical sensibility builds public trust, ensures accountability, and allows for discretion in complex situations.
Example for (i): A public servant bending a minor rule to provide urgent, life-saving assistance to a citizen, even if technically against protocol.
Example for (ii): A public servant strictly adhering to a discriminatory or unjust law/rule, causing undue hardship to a vulnerable group, even if legally permissible.
Common mistakes
Not explicitly stating agreement or disagreement with the premise.
Providing examples that do not clearly fit the two distinct categories (ethically right/legally wrong and legally right/ethically wrong).
Failing to adequately explain *why* ethical sensibility is important, beyond just stating it.
Confusing moral dilemmas with simple legal violations or ethical lapses.
Difficulty: Medium — The core concept is fundamental to ethics, but providing distinct, clear, and relevant examples for both categories (ethically right/legally wrong and legally right/ethically wrong) under exam pressure can be challenging. A strong explanation requires nuanced understanding.