Contemporary Ethical Issues — Revision Notes

⚡ 30-Second Revision

AI Ethics: — Fairness, Accountability, Transparency (FAT). Dilemma: Efficiency vs. Fairness.
Climate Ethics: — Intergenerational Justice. Dilemma: Development vs. Environment.
Digital Privacy: — Puttaswamy Judgment (Right to Privacy). Dilemma: Privacy vs. Security.
Bioethics: — Precautionary Principle. Dilemma: Therapy vs. Enhancement.
Social Media: — Platform Responsibility. Dilemma: Free Speech vs. Harm Prevention.
Economic Ethics: — Gig worker rights, UBI. Dilemma: Flexibility vs. Security.
Mnemonic: — ABCDE (AI, Bioethics, Climate, Digital, Economic).

2-Minute Revision

Contemporary ethical issues are modern dilemmas from new tech and global challenges. Key areas for UPSC are:

A - AI & Algorithms: — The core issue is algorithmic bias leading to unfairness. The solution framework is Fairness, Accountability, and Transparency (FAT), demanding explainable AI and human oversight.
B - Bioethics & Bodies: — Gene editing (CRISPR) poses the 'therapy vs. enhancement' dilemma. The guiding principle should be the Precautionary Principle, with strong regulation to prevent a genetic divide.
C - Climate & Carbon: — The central concept is Intergenerational Justice – our duty to future generations. For India, the dilemma is balancing this with current developmental needs, guided by the principle of Climate Justice (CBDR).
D - Digital & Data: — The conflict is between the Right to Privacy (Puttaswamy case) and National Security. The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 is the key legislation, but its exemptions for the state are a point of debate.
E - Economic & Equality: — Post-pandemic, the focus is on gig workers' rights and wealth inequality. The dilemma is flexibility vs. security, requiring new social security models for the modern workforce.

In all cases, the approach is to identify stakeholders, apply utilitarian and deontological frameworks, and propose a balanced, constitutionally-sound solution.

5-Minute Revision

A comprehensive revision of contemporary ethical issues requires mastering five key domains using the Vyyuha Quick Recall mnemonic: ABCDE.

A - AI & Algorithms: This concerns the ethics of automated decision-making. The primary problem is algorithmic bias, where AI systems perpetuate or amplify human prejudices. The key ethical dilemma is **Efficiency vs.

Fairness. For example, an AI might be efficient at screening loan applications but unfairly reject applicants from certain demographics. The required governance framework is FAT (Fairness, Accountability, Transparency)**.

A good answer must mention 'explainable AI' and the need for a 'human-in-the-loop' for critical decisions.

B - Bioethics & Bodies: This domain covers gene editing (CRISPR), vaccine equity, and telemedicine. The central dilemma for CRISPR is Therapy vs. Enhancement. Should we only cure diseases or also enhance human capabilities, risking a 'designer baby' future? The guiding ethical principle is the Precautionary Principle. For vaccine distribution, the principle is Justice and Equity, ensuring fair access.

C - Climate & Carbon: This is about Climate Ethics. The foundational concept is Intergenerational Justice – our moral duty to future generations. The main dilemma for India is Development vs. Environment. The key international principle to quote is Common but Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR), which forms the basis of 'Climate Justice'. A 'Just Transition' for communities dependent on fossil fuels is a crucial related concept.

D - Digital & Data: This revolves around the Privacy vs. Security debate. The landmark case is K.S. Puttaswamy (2017), which established the Right to Privacy as a fundamental right. The key legislation is the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023. An analysis should discuss the Act's provisions and the ethical implications of the broad exemptions it grants to the government.

E - Economic & Equality: This deals with post-pandemic economic challenges. Key issues are the rights of gig economy workers and the debate on Universal Basic Income (UBI). The core dilemma is Flexibility vs. Security for workers. Ethical analysis requires applying principles of distributive justice and ensuring the dignity of labor, moving beyond seeing workers as mere 'contractors'.

For any case study, first identify which of these domains it belongs to. Then, identify stakeholders, apply both utilitarian (consequences) and deontological (rights/duties) lenses, and propose a practical, balanced solution rooted in constitutional values.

Prelims Revision Notes

1
Right to Privacy: — Declared a Fundamental Right under Article 21 by a 9-judge bench in the K.S. Puttaswamy vs. Union of India (2017) case.
2
Proportionality Test (from Puttaswamy): — Any state intrusion into privacy must be (i) backed by law, (ii) for a legitimate state aim, and (iii) be proportionate.
3
Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023: — India's primary data protection law. Establishes a Data Protection Board. Based on principles of consent, purpose limitation, and data minimization.
4
AI Ethics - FAT Principles: — Fairness, Accountability, Transparency. Key goal is to mitigate algorithmic bias.
5
Climate Ethics - Key Concepts:

* Intergenerational Justice: Duty to future generations. * Climate Justice: Fairness in sharing burdens, emphasizes historical responsibility. * CBDR-RC: Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (from Rio Summit, 1992). * Paris Agreement (2015): Goal to keep global temperature rise well below 2°C, preferably 1.5°C.

1
Bioethics - Key Principles:

* Precautionary Principle: Caution in the face of uncertain but severe risks. * Therapy vs. Enhancement: The key ethical dividing line in gene editing. * CRISPR-Cas9: The name of the revolutionary gene-editing tool.

1
Environmental Justice - Key Principle:

* Absolute Liability Principle: Established in M.C. Mehta vs. UoI (1987). Hazardous industries have an absolute, non-delegable duty to prevent harm.

1
Social Media Regulation - IT Rules, 2021: — Mandate social media intermediaries to appoint grievance officers, enable traceability of messages (contentious), and take down unlawful content.
2
Gig Economy - Code on Social Security, 2020: — For the first time, recognizes 'gig workers' and 'platform workers' and provides for framing social security schemes for them, though specifics are yet to be notified.

Mains Revision Notes

Frameworks for Mains Answers

1. AI Ethics & Governance:

Problem: — Algorithmic bias, lack of accountability, 'black box' decisions.
Ethical Framework: — Apply FAT (Fairness, Accountability, Transparency). Also, use a Rights-based approach (does it violate Art 14, 21?).
Solution Components: — Mandatory bias audits, 'explainable AI' (XAI), robust grievance redressal, human-in-the-loop for critical decisions, strong data protection.
Keywords: — Algorithmic accountability, data fiduciary, human oversight, regulatory sandbox.

2. Climate Ethics & Justice:

Dilemma: — Intergenerational Justice vs. Intragenerational Equity (Development for the current poor).
Ethical Framework: — Climate Justice (CBDR-RC), Utilitarianism (long-term well-being), Deontology (duty to not harm future generations).
Solution Components: — Phased transition, massive investment in renewables, focus on a 'Just Transition' (re-skilling and supporting communities dependent on fossil fuels), demand international finance and technology transfer.
Keywords: — Just Transition, CBDR, climate finance, intergenerational equity.

3. Digital Privacy vs. Security:

Dilemma: — Balancing Fundamental Right to Privacy with State's duty to ensure national security.
Ethical/Legal Framework: — The Puttaswamy judgment's Proportionality Test is the key analytical tool. The DPDP Act, 2023 provides the legal context.
Solution Components: — Argue for a balance. Surveillance must be necessary, proportionate, and authorized by law. Advocate for a strong, independent Data Protection Board and parliamentary oversight of intelligence agencies.
Keywords: — Proportionality, necessity, legitimate aim, data minimization, surveillance reform.

4. Bioethics (Gene Editing):

Dilemma: — Therapy vs. Enhancement.
Ethical Framework: — Precautionary Principle, Justice (to prevent a genetic divide), Non-maleficence (do no harm).
Solution Components: — Propose a strict regulatory body (like the UK's HFEA). Recommend a moratorium on heritable human genome editing (germline editing). Emphasize public deliberation and inclusive policymaking.
Keywords: — Germline vs. Somatic editing, precautionary principle, bio-governance, public deliberation.

Vyyuha Quick Recall

Vyyuha Quick Recall: The ABCDE of Contemporary Ethics

A simple framework to categorize and recall the main contemporary ethical issues and associated case study types.

A: AI & Algorithms

* Keywords: Bias, Fairness, Accountability, Transparency, Human Oversight. * Case Prompts: 1. You are a DM implementing a facial recognition system for policing. What are the ethical concerns? 2. An AI-based system for welfare distribution is excluding genuine beneficiaries. What do you do?

B: Bioethics & Bodies

* Keywords: Gene Editing, CRISPR, Therapy vs. Enhancement, Precautionary Principle, Vaccine Equity. * Case Prompts: 1. As Health Secretary, you must frame a policy for the use of a new, expensive life-saving drug. How do you ensure equitable access? 2. A proposal for commercial surrogacy clinics in your district raises ethical concerns. How do you respond?

C: Climate & Carbon

* Keywords: Intergenerational Justice, Climate Justice, Just Transition, CBDR, Environmental Justice. * Case Prompts: 1. An NGT order requires closing polluting factories in your city, causing unemployment. What is your course of action? 2. You must acquire forest land inhabited by a tribal community for a solar park project. How do you proceed?

D: Digital & Data

* Keywords: Privacy vs. Security, Puttaswamy Judgment, Data Sovereignty, Misinformation, Platform Responsibility. * Case Prompts: 1. The police request access to citizen data from a smart city project to solve a crime. As the project head, what is your decision? 2. Rampant misinformation on social media is causing social unrest in your district. What steps would you take?

E: Economic & Equality

* Keywords: Gig Economy, Worker Rights, UBI, Wealth Inequality, Distributive Justice. * Case Prompts: 1. Gig workers (e.g., food delivery) in your city are protesting for better pay and social security. What is your role as a labor commissioner? 2. You are on a committee to evaluate the feasibility of a Universal Basic Income pilot project in a poor district. What are the ethical pros and cons?