(i) Law and Ethics

• Law is a system of rules created and enforced by the state. It has legal sanctions and is binding on all citizens.
• Ethics refers to moral principles that govern individual and collective behavior. It is not legally enforceable but socially or personally binding.

Key Differences:

• Law is externally imposed; ethics is internally guided.
• Law is backed by penalties; ethics is backed by conscience.
• Example: Paying taxes is legal compliance; helping a stranger in need is an ethical act, though not mandated by law.

(ii) Ethical Management and Management of Ethics

• Ethical Management is the practice of making all decisions and actions based on moral values and integrity.
• Management of Ethics refers to the creation of systems, policies, and frameworks to promote ethical behavior in an organization.

Key Differences:

• Ethical management is personal and leadership-driven.
• Management of ethics is structural and system-driven.
• Example: A manager choosing not to bribe is ethical management; setting up an internal ethics committee is management of ethics.

(iii) Discrimination and Preferential Treatment

• Discrimination involves unfair or prejudiced treatment based on identity like caste, gender, or religion.
• Preferential Treatment aims to uplift marginalized sections through affirmative action or reservations to ensure equity.

Key Differences:

• Discrimination violates equality; preferential treatment promotes substantive equality.
• One is exclusionary and unjust; the other is inclusive and justice-oriented.
• Example: Rejecting a qualified candidate due to their caste is discrimination; providing SC/ST reservations is preferential treatment.

(iv) Personal Ethics and Professional Ethics

• Personal Ethics are moral values shaped by upbringing, culture, and personal beliefs.
• Professional Ethics are standards of behavior required by a profession, often codified in a code of conduct.

Key Differences:

• Personal ethics are universal and lifelong; professional ethics are role-specific.
• Conflict can arise when personal beliefs contradict professional duties.
• Example: A vegetarian doctor working in a meat processing unit must uphold professional duty despite personal discomfort.

Conclusion:

A civil servant must clearly understand these distinctions to make ethically sound and balanced decisions, respecting both personal integrity and institutional expectations.