Question.
What are the ethical perversions of the private sector? Describe the three options of ethical life.
(UPPSC GS paper 4 2021)
Answer.
Ethical perversions are unethical actions as they are unacceptable in society. Private sectors can engage in ethical perversions in various ways. Some of the main ethical perversions are mentioned below:
Environmental damage: Private sectors can damage the environment by exploiting excesses of natural resources and polluting natural resources like air, soil, water, forest, and wildlife.
The exploitation of workers: Private sector can exploit their workers by not complying with labor laws. They can provide low wages, no overtime payments, and an unsafe working environment that leads to health problems for workers.
Discrimination: Private sector may engage in discriminatory practices in employment. They cannot recruit some groups of people depending on race, gender, religion, or others.
Corruption: In order to get a tender from the government agency private sector may use corruptive tools and involve immoral practices in business activities.
Improper competition: Private sector can use improper competition practices such as price fixing, predatory pricing, etc.
The exploitation of consumers: Private sectors can exploit the customer by giving false advertisements about their goods and services. They may also exploit the customer by overcharging.
There are three options for ethical life:
- Following the principle of virtues[ Virtuous way of life].
- Following the principle of duty [ deontological way of life].
- Following the principle of utility[ utilitarian way of life].
Following the principle of virtues: We can live a moral life by following the principle of virtues. Whatever the circumstances in life, whatever the result, we should not leave the virtues. People who follow this principle do not follow any political rule nor worry about the result of their karma but they follow virtuous life. People who follow this theory always follow virtues like speaking the truth, honesty, courage, compassion, sympathy, forgiveness, and justice. The life of King "Harichandra" is based on the principle of virtues.
Following the principle of duty [ deontological way of life]. We can live life in a deontological way [ based on the duty]. In this way, people follow rules and procedures[ duty] despite adverse results or against virtue. The life of "Bhishma Pitamah" and "Karna" was based on the principle of Duty [ governed by traditional rules and promises].
Following the principle of utility: Another way to live life is in a utilitarian way of life. This theory suggests that we should focus on maximizing the overall happiness or welfare of society. People on this principle believe that for the welfare of the maximum number of people (it does not involve their selfishness), if the rule has to be broken or has to do unethical work, then we should do it. This principle was followed by Lord Shri Krishna many times in the war of Mahabharata.
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