UPSC Essay PYQ 2018: Customary morality cannot be a guide to modern life

Explore insights on “Customary Morality Cannot Be a Guide to Modern Life” – UPSC Essay PYQ 2018 with examples, analysis & relevance in today’s world.

Contents

Table of Contents

Essay Key

Component	Details
Essay Topic	Customary Morality Cannot Be a Guide to Modern Life
Paraphrase	This essay explores the shortcomings of depending on traditional moral values to navigate modern-day societal challenges.
Intent of the Essay	To evaluate and question the applicability of traditional moral values in solving today’s complex ethical issue.
Keywords	Customary Morality, Modern Life, Ethical Framework, Cultural Norms, Change

Social values are constantly changing due to globalization, technological growth, and cross-cultural interaction.
Sticking to outdated moral norms can obstruct progress and prevent society from addressing current realities.
Example: The widespread acceptance of human rights has often clashed with long-standing traditional practices.

Moral beliefs differ across cultures; what is normal in one may be seen as unethical in another.
Applying a single traditional moral standard risks excluding diverse viewpoints and limiting inclusivity.
Example: Female genital mutilation, considered a tradition in some regions, is condemned in most parts of the world.

Modern life presents morally complex situations that can’t always be solved using rigid traditional codes.
Ethical decision-making often requires flexibility and context-based reasoning.
Example: The use of consequentialism, which evaluates the impact of actions rather than sticking to fixed rules.

Today’s moral outlook gives importance to individual freedoms, sometimes clashing with collective customs.
Traditional norms may emphasize duties to the group over personal rights, leading to ethical tension.
Example: Conflicts around freedom of speech versus cultural standards of respect and decency.

Scientific advances encourage a shift from belief-based morality to evidence-backed ethical reasoning.
Many traditional moral views lack scientific basis and struggle to stay relevant in modern debates.
Example: Discussions on genetic engineering often rely more on scientific reasoning than age-old moral codes.

Case Study	Key Insights	Relevance
Women’s Rights Movement	Challenged traditional gender roles and advocated for equality.	Highlights the need for evolving moral standards to support justice and equality.
Debate on Same-Sex Marriage	Cultural resistance based on customary beliefs faced legal reform advocating for equal rights.	Demonstrates conflict between customary morality and modern ethical standards focusing on rights.
Environmental Ethics	Traditional practices may disregard ecological concerns; modern ethics emphasize sustainability and stewardship.	Shows the necessity of adapting moral beliefs to contemporary global challenges.

Examine how thinkers like John Stuart Mill and Immanuel Kant have influenced modern ethical theories and moral reasoning.
Include data or survey findings that highlight how people today view traditional customs compared to modern ethical values.
Consider the consequences of dismissing traditional morality in societies made up of diverse cultures and beliefs.
Analyze examples from different cultural backgrounds to show how moral values can evolve and adapt across various contexts.