Value Judgments — Prelims Strategy

Prelims Strategy

For Prelims, especially CSAT, questions on value judgments often appear in the form of scenario-based MCQs or statements requiring identification of underlying ethical principles. Vyyuha's strategy emphasizes:

1
Identify the 'Is' vs. 'Ought' — Quickly distinguish between factual statements (descriptive) and evaluative statements (normative). Questions often test this basic distinction.
2
Recognize Competing Values — In scenarios, identify the core values in conflict (e.g., liberty vs. security, individual vs. collective). The correct option usually involves prioritizing a constitutionally sound or universally accepted ethical value.
3
Look for Keywords — Words like 'should,' 'ought,' 'good,' 'bad,' 'right,' 'wrong,' 'just,' 'unjust' are strong indicators of value judgments.
4
Avoid Extremes — Options that present absolute or overly simplistic solutions to complex ethical dilemmas are often traps. Ethical reasoning usually involves nuanced balancing.
5
Focus on Public Service Ethics — For administrative scenarios, consider values like impartiality, integrity, public interest, compassion, and accountability. The best answer will align with these core public service ethics. Practice with diverse scenarios to build intuition and speed.