Class 12 Logic & Philosophy Chapter 7 Ethics
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Selected Questions & Answers
A. Very Short Answer Type Questions: (Marks for each – 1)
1. From which word is the term ‘Ethics’ derived?
Ans: It is derived from the Greek word ‘Ethos.’
2. From which word is the term ‘Moral’ derived?
Ans: It is derived from the Latin word Latin ‘Mores.’
3. What is the meaning of ‘Mores’? H.S. ’14
Ans: Customs or habits.
4. What is the meaning of ‘Ethos’?
Ans: Custom or habit.
5. Give a short definition of Ethics.
Ans: The science which judges the moral value of human character orconduct is called Ethics.
6. How many kinds of Purusharthas are there?
Ans: There are four kinds of Purusharthas.
7. What is the subject matter of moral judgment?
Ans: Voluntary action.
8. Does intention determine the end?
Ans: Yes, it does.
9. Is an immoral act a subject of moral approbation?
Ans: No, it is not.
10. “Character is the internal aspect of human conduct.” Is thestatement true?
Ans: True.
11. Which of the following is the subject matter of moral judgment? H.S. ’14
(a) Automatic action
(b) Habitual action
(c) Instinctive action
(d) Action of a child
Ans: (b) Habitual action.
12. Write one similarity between morality and religion. H.S. ’15
Ans: Both morality and religion judge the good and bad actions of human beings.
13. Is Ethics a positive science? H.S. ’17
Ans: No.
14. Is habitual action regarded as the subject matter of moral judgment? H.S. ’15
Ans: Yes.
15. Give an example of a moral act. H.S. ’17
Ans: Showing respect to elders.
16. What is voluntary action? H.S. ’17
Or
What is voluntary action? What are the three stages of voluntaryaction? H.S. ’18
Ans: Voluntary action refers to those actions which are performedconsciously and intentionally by the agent with the application of reason in order to fulfil a purpose. The three stages of voluntary action are: mental stage, physical stage, and stage of completion.
17. What is meant by intention? H.S. ’18
Ans: Intention is the integration of an aim, the purpose, the means ofattaining the aim, and the probable consequences.
18. What is the source of happiness and joy in human life? H.S. ’15
Ans: Action (Karma).
19. What is the highest good of human life?
Ans: Purushartha is the highest good of human life.
20. How many paths are there for attaining Moksha?
Ans: Three.
21. What is Trivarga?
Ans: According to Indian scriptures, Dharma, Artha, and Kama are called Trivarga.
22. Write one similarity between morality and religion. H.S. ’15
Ans: Both are concerned with the moral evaluation of human conduct.
23. Give an example of a normative science.
Ans: Ethics.
24. Does the end justify the means?
Ans: Yes, it does.
25. Give an example of a positive science.
Ans: Physics.
26. What is the subject matter of moral judgment? H.S. ’19
Ans: Intention.
27. “Ethics is a positive science.” Is the statement correct? H.S. ’19
Ans: Incorrect.
28. What is the ideal of Ethics? H.S. ’20
Ans: The ideal of Ethics is the Highest Good (Summum Bonum).
B. Short Questions and Answers: (Marks for each – 2)
1. What is meant by Ethics?
Ans: Ethics is the branch of philosophy which discusses the moral evaluation of human character and conduct.
2. What is Varnasrama?
Ans: According to the ancient Hindu social system of India, human lifewas divided into four asramas—Brahmacharya, Grihastha, Vanaprastha, and Sannyasa—and the performance of one’s respective duties according to these stages was called Varnasrama.
3. Why is Ethics called a normative science? H.S. ’12, ’14, ’20
Ans: A normative science is one which determines the standards of goodand bad, right and wrong, just and unjust, and evaluates human conduct andsocial behaviour accordingly. Since Ethics performs this function, it is calleda normative science.
4. What are the supreme values of human life? Which value isrelated to Ethics? H.S. ’18
Ans: According to Indian philosophy, the three supreme values of humanlife are Truth, Goodness, and Beauty. Ethics is concerned with Goodness, that is, welfare.
5. Can the action of a mad person be called a moral action? Giveone argument in support of your answer. H.S. ’18
Ans: The action of a mad person cannot be called a moral action becauseit is not associated with intention, free will, or a sense of obligation.
6. Give two examples of immoral actions. H.S. ’18, ’20
Ans: Theft and telling lies.
7. Why is habitual action regarded as the subject matter of moral judgment? H.S. ’12
Ans: Habitual action is regarded as the subject matter of moral judgment because it can be evaluated in terms of good and bad, right and wrong, just and unjust.
8. What are the postulates of moral judgment? H.S. ’15
Ans: The postulates of moral judgment are personality of the individual, power of reasoning, and freedom of will.
9. How many kinds of Purusharthas are there and what are they? H.S. ’17
Ans: According to Indian philosophy, there are four kinds ofPurusharthas—Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha.
C. Medium Length Questions & Answers: (Marks for each – 4)
1. What is voluntary action? Discuss its characteristics.
Ans: According to moral quality, human conduct and actions are dividedinto two types—moral actions and non-moral actions. An action whichpossesses moral quality, that is, which is related to right and wrong, good andbad, is called a moral action. Moral actions include habitual actions andvoluntary actions. Voluntary action refers to those actions which are performedconsciously and intentionally by the agent with the application of reason in order to fulfil a purpose. The characteristics of voluntary action are:
(1) It is performed consciously by the agent.
(2) The agent bears responsibility for the action.
(3) It is performed through the exercise of reason.
(4) It is motivated by a definite purpose.
2. According to Indian scriptures, what are the paths to attainMoksha (Salvation)? Discuss.
Ans: According to Indian philosophy, there are three paths for attainingMoksha or liberation from the cycle of birth and death. These are KarmaYoga, Bhakti Yoga, and Jnana Yoga.
(1) Karma Yoga teaches that human life is full of action. One cannot livewithout action. However, actions should be performed without attachment totheir fruits. Selfless performance of duty purifies the soul and leads to self-realisation.
(2) Bhakti Yoga is the path of devotion. It refers to love, faith, and devotiontowards the Supreme God. Through unwavering faith in God, liberation canbe attained.
(3) Jnana Yoga is the path of knowledge. Through true knowledge andrealisation of the Supreme Reality, the individual soul understands the natureof the self, the world, and the Absolute, and thus attains liberation.
3. Distinguish between positive science and normative science.
Ans: Science is broadly divided into positive science and normativescience. A positive science studies the nature, characteristics, origin, anddevelopment of objects in a systematic manner. Examples include Physics, Biology, and Chemistry. On the other hand, a normative science determines the value of its subject matter according to certain ideals or standards. In positive science, our judgment conforms to the object studied, whereas in normative science, ourjudgment follows a definite ideal or standard.
4. Explain the meaning of Purushartha. What are the four supremevalues of human life recognised in ancient Indian philosophy? H.S. ’18
Ans: Purushartha refers to the supreme values or goals of human life inIndian ethics. It denotes the means for attaining spiritual fulfilment andrepresents the highest good of human life. According to Indian philosophy, there are four Purusharthas—Dharma (righteousness), Artha (wealth), Kama(desire), and Moksha (liberation).
5. Write the differences between moral and non-moral actions. H.S. ’13
Ans: The differences between moral and non-moral actions are:
(a) Moral actions are those to which moral qualities such as good and bad, right and wrong are attributed, whereas non-moral actions cannot be judgedin such terms.
(b) Moral actions involve freedom of will; non-moral actions do not involve freedom of will.
(c) In moral actions, the agent is responsible; in non-moral actions, theagent is not responsible.
(d) The highest good is the aim of moral actions; non-moral actions have no such aim.
6. What is meant by end? Distinguish between end and intention. H.S. ’14
Ans: The object which can remove a want is called the end of a voluntaryaction, and the idea or thought of obtaining that object is called its purpose. For example, for a person suffering from heat, the thought of obtaining anelectric fan is the end. The differences between end and intention are:
(a) The end relates to an external object, whereas intention is a mental disposition.
(b) The end is the final cause of an action, whereas intention is the efficient cause.
(c) The end involves the idea of means, but intention does not necessarilyinvolve the idea of means.
7. Write a short note on conflict of desires. H.S. ’17
Ans: Desire arises from the idea of an object capable of removing a want and the longing to obtain it. When multiple desires arise at the same time, aconflict occurs. In such a situation, a person selects the most necessary desireand acts accordingly. After selecting a particular desire, one makes a decisionand resolves to fulfil it. For example, in the case of a person infected with a contagious disease, there may be a conflict between caring for the person at home and admitting the person to a hospital to protect other family members.
8. What is habitual action? Why is it regarded as the subject matterof moral judgment? H.S. ’12, ’15
Ans: Habitual action is an action which, after being repeatedly performedunder the influence of will, is later performed almost automatically. It isregarded as the subject matter of moral judgment because it can be evaluatedas good or bad, right or wrong. Since it originates from voluntary action, it isconsidered morally significant.
9. Can the end justify the means? Analyse with a suitable practical example. H.S. ’16
Ans: A good intention does not always make an action good or right. Ifthe intention is bad, the action is certainly bad. But even if the intention isgood, the action cannot be considered right if the means adopted are wrong. For example, the intention to donate clothes to the poor is good. But if theclothes are stolen for that purpose, the act becomes wrong. Therefore, the endcannot justify the means; both the end and the means must be morally good.
D. Essay Type Questions and Answers: (Marks for each – 6)1. What is Ethics? Discuss its scope. H.S. ’16
Or
Discuss the four important topics dealt with in Ethics. H.S. ’19
Ans: The branch of Philosophy which examines the voluntary actions ofhuman beings in terms of good and bad, right and wrong, just and unjust iscalled Ethics. It is a normative science concerned with human conduct. Since Ethics is related to social behaviour, its scope is very wide. Thescope of Ethics may be discussed as follows:
(1) The main objective of Ethics is to make a moral evaluation of human conduct. Character is expressed through external behaviour; therefore, Ethicsanalyses the nature, elements, and characteristics of human character.
(2) Ethics discusses moral concepts such as good and bad, right and wrong, virtue and vice.
(3) The Highest Good and the ultimate end of life fall within the scope ofEthics, as human beings aspire for happiness and perfection.
(4) In analysing moral judgment, Ethics accepts certain fundamental postulates known as the presuppositions of moral judgment. These include personality of the individual, rationality, and freedom of will.
(5) Moral obligation is another important topic. When an action is judgedas good or bad, a sense of duty arises to perform the good and avoid the bad; Ethics examines the nature of this obligation.
(6) Ethics also considers reward for good actions and punishment for badactions.
(7) Social customs, traditions, and practices are included within its scope.
(8) Ethics clarifies vague moral notions such as good and bad, right andwrong, and welfare and harm. In short, the scope of Ethics is very extensiveand includes all aspects necessary for the full development of personality.
2. Discuss the nature of Ethics as a science. H.S. ’13, ’16
Ans: Ethics is the branch of Philosophy that evaluates voluntary humanactions as good or bad, right or wrong. It is a normative science dealing withhuman conduct. Like other sciences, Ethics has a definite subject matter andprovides systematic, certain, rational, and coherent knowledge about it. Since science means a systematic and rational study of a particular subject, Ethics may also be regarded as a science. Science is generally divided into two types: positive (descriptive) science and normative science. A positivescience studies the nature, origin, and development of objects in a systematic manner, such as Physics, Biology, and Chemistry. A normative science, onthe other hand, evaluates its subject matter according to certain ideals orstandards. Ethics is a normative science because it takes the Highest Good asits ideal and evaluates human conduct in the light of that ideal. Unlike positivist sciences, Ethics does not merely describe the nature and development ofconduct, but prescribes how conduct ought to be in order to attain the Highest Good. Therefore, Ethics is essentially a normative science.
3. Is Ethics a practical or applied science? Discuss. H.S. ’20
Ans: A practical or applied science is one that lays down certain rules andprinciples to achieve a definite objective successfully. For example, Medical Science prescribes methods to maintain health and cure diseases. Regarding whether Ethics is a practical science, philosophers differ. According to Professor Mackenzie, Ethics is only a normative scienceand not a practical science, because it determines the ideal of moral life but does not prescribe definite rules for attaining it. On the other hand, philosophers like Muirhead and Seth hold that everyscience has both theoretical and practical aspects. According to them, knowledge gained theoretically must be applied in life to be meaningful; therefore, Ethics has both theoretical and practical dimensions. Although there is disagreement, it may be concluded that Ethics primarilydetermines the nature of moral ideals rather than providing specific techniquesfor attaining them. Hence, Ethics is mainly a theoretical normative sciencerather than a practical science.
4. Discuss the different stages included in the mental level of voluntaryaction. H.S. ’14, ’20
Ans: Voluntary action refers to actions performed consciously andintentionally by an agent with the use of reason to fulfil a purpose. It consistsof three stages: mental stage, physical stage, and the stage of completion. The mental stage includes the following steps:
(a) Source of action: A sense of want gives rise to mental unrest, promptingaction.
(b) End or purpose: The thought of the object capable of removing thewant becomes the purpose of action.
(c) Desire: The idea of the object and the longing to obtain it constituted desire.
(d) Conflict and choice of desires: When several desires arisesimultaneously, conflict occurs and one is selected.
(e) Decision and resolution: After selecting a particular desire, a decisionis made and a resolution is formed to fulfil it.
(f) Intention: Intention is the most important element, as it involves theintegration of end, purpose, means, and probable consequences.
5. What is non-moral (involuntary) action? Discuss. Or What ismeant by non-moral action? Briefly explain any five types. H.S. ’15
Ans: Non-moral actions are those to which moral qualities cannot beattributed, that is, actions which cannot be judged as right or wrong. Suchactions are performed unintentionally, without the application of reason orconscious will, often under external influence. Therefore, moral evaluationis not applicable to them. The following are examples of non-moral actions:
(1) Actions of inanimate objects or natural calamities such as floods, storms, and earthquakes.
(2) Spontaneous actions of infants who act without intention.
(3) Actions of animals, as moral qualities cannot be attributed to them.
(4) Actions guided by instinct.
(5) Reflex actions produced automatically in response to stimuli, such asclosing the eyes in bright light.
(6) Actions performed under compulsion, where freedom of will is absent.
(7) Emotional actions where sudden feelings lead to action without deliberation.
(8) Actions of insane persons who lack rational capacity.
6. What is meant by Purushartha? Explain the four Purusharthas. H.S. ’16
Ans: Purushartha is a fundamental concept in Indian Ethics referring tothe supreme goals of human life. It represents the means to attain spiritual fulfilment and the highest good. According to Indian philosophy, there arefour Purusharthas—Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha.
(1) Dharma: Derived from the Sanskrit root ‘Dhri,’ meaning ‘to sustain,’ Dharma refers to that which upholds society and moral order. It includes moral virtues and duties. Performance of one’s own duty (Swadharma) isemphasised. Dharma promotes social harmony and spiritual growth.
(2) Artha: Artha refers to wealth and material prosperity necessary forfulfilling basic needs such as food, clothing, and shelter. It is a means to support other goals of life but should be acquired and used in accordance with Dharma.
(3) Kama: Kama means desire or enjoyment. It is a natural impulse that motivates action and sustains life. Desires may be classified as Sattvic, Rajasic, and Tamasic. Indian philosophy teaches that Kama should always be regulatedby Dharma.
(4) Moksha: Moksha is the highest Purushartha and the ultimate aim oflife. It means liberation from the cycle of birth and death. Some schools holdthat liberation requires freedom from bodily existence, while others maintainthat self-realisation itself constitutes liberation (Jivanmukti). Moksha signifiesthe realisation of the true nature of the self.
