1. Write a precis of the given passage in one-third of its length.

Do not suggest a title, write, as far as possible, in your own words. The precis
must be written only in the precis format given below. (15) time 15 min

Etymologically the term “ethics” correspond to the Greek word “ethos” which means character, habit, customs, ways of behaviour, etc. Ethics
is also called “moral philosophy”. The word “moral” comes from Latin word “mores” which signifies customs, character, behaviour, etc. Thus ethics
may be defined as the systematic study of human actions from the point of view of their rightfulness or wrongfulness, as means for the attainment of
the ultimate happiness. It is the reflective study of what is good or bad in that part of human conduct for which human has some personal
responsibility. In simple words ethics refers to what is good and the way to get it, and what is bad and how to avoid it. It refers to what ought to be
done to achieve what is good and what ought not to be done to avoid what is evil.
As a philosophical discipline, ethics is the study of the values and guidelines by which we live. It also involves the justification of these values
and guidelines. It is not merely following a tradition or custom. Instead it requires analysis and evaluation of these guidelines in light of
universal principles. As moral philosophy, ethics is the philosophical thinking about morality, moral problems, and moral judgements.
Ethics is a science in as much as it is a set or body of reasoned truths organised in a logical order and having its specific material and formal
objects. It is the science of what human ought to be by reason of what one is. It is a rational science in so far as its principles are deduced by
human’s
reason from the objects that concern the free will. Besides it has for its ulterior end the art by which human may live uprightly or comfortably to
right reason. It is a normative/regulative science in as much as it regulates and directs human’s life and gives the right orientation to one’s existence.
Ethics is also theoretical and practical. It is theoretical in as much as it provides the fundamental principles on the basis of which moral
judgements are arrived at. It is practical in as much as it is concerned about an end to be gained, and the means of attaining it. Ethics is sometimes
distinguished from morality. In such cases, ethics is the explicit philosophical reflection on moral beliefs and practices while morality refers to the
first-order beliefs and practices about good and evil by means of which we guide our behaviour (e.g. music and musicology). However, in most
cases they are referred to as having the same meaning.
Ethics is not merely a set of ‘codes’. Ethics certainly deals with moral codes yet one cannot identify ethics to moral codes. Ethics is not primarily
to restrict one’s behaviour, rather to help one to find what is good and how to get it. The obligatory character of ethical norms derives
from the very purpose of ethical enquiry, i.e. to discover the most ultimate principles of explanation or the most ultimate reasons why one ought to
do anything. (509)
 1. Essay (20x1=20) time 20 min
Ancient India’s achievements and lessons for today. प्राचीन भारत की उपलब्धियाां और आज के ललए सबक।

Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow: (5x4=20) time 15 mins
1. What good definition of religion should involve?
2. What is the peculiarity of higher or more developed religions?
3. What does morality include?
4. What does the term ‘religion’ implicate?
5. Why religion and humans are inseparable?
Religion has evolved out of ‘life’ and hence can never be divorced from it. There is a need in us, for a successful adjustment, which in turn requires an
understanding of the world in which we live. We are placed in physical and social environment which consist of fellowmen with their histories and
prophecies – that have evolved as a result of competitive and co-operative enterprise of numerous generations. It is a fact that various strands of
science, ethics, economics, sociology, history, traditions and myths are all intermingled and entangled. Further, these strands have important claims on the
individual and society. But in this wide ‘sketch of life’ there is an urge to assign a rightful place to individual’s impulses. From the time immemorial,
philosophy, ethics and religion have played a key role in this master plan of life. The root meaning of religion is that which binds humans together and also
which binds the loose ends of impulses, desires and various processes in individual life. Hence it is our integrative experience both collectively and
individually.
Literally the term ‘religion’ stands for the principle of unification and harmonization (Latin: Religionis: re=back; ligare=bind). The term religion indicates
that the two objects of unification were originally unified and that they are only temporarily separated. Religion is thus founded on the faith in the ultimate
unity of humans and God. Any religion which seeks to unite human with anything else other than divine is bound to remain imperfect.
A good definition of religion is possible only when a cognizance of its important aspects in taken. Generally, it is a process which has two sides, an inner
and an outer – according to inner aspect; it is a state of belief and feeling, an inward spiritual disposition. Form the outer side it is an expression of this
subjective disposition in appropriate acts. Both these aspects are essential to the nature of religion, and they act and react on one another in the process of
spiritual experience. There is “worshiping” and “religious commitment” in practice of any religion. Prior to this, there must be belief in the existence of a
‘Higher Power’ without which there cannot be true worship. This belief is a must so that worshipped Being is capable of supplying the needs. Higher powers
are worshipped with the intention of having a relation with them. There arises our faith in these powers, out of the sense of need. Feeling, belief and
will – these three together constitute religion both in the lowest and highest form of civilization. The key notes of all religion are the feeling of the Infinite,
the bowing down before the incomprehensible, the yearning after the unseen love of God, and oneness with Him.
In higher or more developed religions morality and religion remains inseparable. For example, Judaism and Christianity have accepted the Ten
commandments which reflects morality. Some of these commandments are the same as ‘pancha mahavrata’ of Jainism as well as all Indian religions. Thus
religion and morality are inseparable and interdependent at least in the traditional and higher religions of the world. By ‘interdependence’ is meant that
religion helps morality and morality in turn keeps on refining religious demands. Even when morality is regarded as independent of religion, religion does
not remain wholly discarded. Both Kant and R.B. Braithwaite postulate God as the psychological booster of morality. Performance of one’s duty should be
regarded as Divine command, according to Kant. Religion with its derivative of ‘re’ and ‘legere’ means to bind also the loose ends of lower impulses within
each person, hence morality includes both the external and the interiorized rules of conduct. Both in Christianity and Hinduism the emphasis is laid on the
interiorization of morality in the direction of self-conquest and self-culture of the soul. In general morality is the purifier of religion and religion is said to be
the perfection of morality, for God is said to be the conservator of all values. Therefore, God is the embodiment of morality and chief guardian.