Virtue Ethics in Public Administration

TOPIC CLASSIFICATION

Subject: Ethics, Integrity, and Aptitude (GS Paper-IV)
Sub-topic: Virtue Ethics - Aristotelian Virtues, Character-Based Ethics, Civil Service Virtues, Phronesis (Practical Wisdom)
Mains GS Paper-IV: Virtue ethics in governance; character of civil servants; practical wisdom in administration.

---

EXAMINER REASONING

Virtue ethics shifts focus from rules/consequences to character and virtues. UPSC tests: (a) Aristotelian framework - virtues as mean between extremes, eudaimonia (flourishing), phronesis (practical wisdom); (b) Civil service virtues - integrity, impartiality, courage, compassion, temperance; (c) Application - how virtues guide discretionary decisions where rules are silent; (d) Indian context - Nishkama Karma (Gita), Rajadharma, Kautilya's virtues for administrators. The examiner's favourite framing: "A good civil servant is not one who follows rules perfectly, but one who exercises practical wisdom (phronesis) in complex situations."

---

Core Concept

Virtue Ethics (Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics):

• Eudaimonia - Human flourishing/wellbeing as the ultimate end
• Virtues (Arete) - Character traits enabling flourishing - acquired by habituation
• Doctrine of the Mean - Virtue lies between excess and deficiency
• Phronesis (Practical Wisdom) - Intellectual virtue to deliberate well about what is good for oneself and others in particular situations

| Virtue | Domain | Excess | Deficiency |...