QUESTION 2(b)
GS4
10 marks
We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light. Discuss the ethical meaning of this statement.
WRITE IN
7 min
150 words
What the examiner wants
Explain the ethical meaning that fearing truth and knowledge as adults is worse than a child's fear of the dark.
DiscussExplain the different sides of the issue, use evidence, and finish with a balanced view.
Demand-wise check
- 1Child's fear of the dark: natural, from ignorance, excusable≈30 words
- 2Fear of light: adults avoiding truth, knowledge, accountability - wilful ignorance, prejudice, closed minds≈30 words
- 3Examples: resistance to RTI and transparency, suppressing whistleblowers, denial of climate science, superstition despite evidence≈30 words
- 4Need: intellectual honesty, courage, openness to criticism≈30 words
Open in about 20 words and close in about 20.
Answer plan
Meaning of both fearsWhy adult fear is tragicExamples in society and governanceValues needed
Where marks usually go
- Literal discussion of light and dark
- No governance example
Draw this
- Two-panel image: child-dark (ignorance) vs adult-light (wilful avoidance)
Value addition
- ThinkerPlato's Allegory of the Cave (The Republic): prisoners prefer shadows and resist the one who brings them into the light.Plato, The Republic
- ExampleOfficials resisting suo motu disclosure under Section 4 of the RTI Act show institutional fear of light.RTI Act, 2005
Mapped topper copies
Reviewed public-source references related to this PYQ. Same-syllabus references are labelled separately.
- Vidushi Singh · AIR 13 · Page 5 ↗Same syllabus reference
- Aakash Garg · AIR 5 · Page 7 ↗Same syllabus reference
- Shakti Dubey · AIR 1 · Page 23 ↗Same syllabus reference
- Shakti Dubey · AIR 1 · Page 3 ↗Same syllabus reference
Links open original public sources. MainsBuddy does not host these answer sheets.
Next: plan for one minute, write it in 7 minutes, then get it checked.