Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude·Prelims Strategy

Contemporary Thinkers — Prelims Strategy

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Version 1Updated 5 Mar 2026

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Prelims Strategy

Focus on memorizing key concepts and their originators: Original Position and Veil of Ignorance (Rawls), Capabilities Approach (Sen/Nussbaum), Effective Altruism (Singer), Discourse Ethics (Habermas), Politics of Recognition (Taylor).

Learn specific applications: HDI connection to Sen, international justice frameworks, development policy influences. Practice elimination techniques by understanding what each thinker does NOT focus on—Rawls isn't utilitarian, Singer isn't capabilities-focused, Habermas isn't primarily concerned with distributive justice.

Memorize birth/death years for major figures and key publication dates (Theory of Justice 1971, Animal Liberation 1975). Study connections to Indian policy contexts and international organizations. Common traps include confusing similar concepts (capabilities vs human development, discourse ethics vs deliberative democracy) and attributing ideas to wrong thinkers.