Week 2-Introduction to Indian Ethics.pptx

Week 2-Introduction to Indian Ethics.pptx

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  10/27/2025 Week 2 MsRajshree Beneymadoo Introduction to Indian Ethics 1 "Introduction to Indian Ethics" by Rajshree Beneymadoo is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
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  10/27/2025 Week 2 MsRajshree Beneymadoo Introduction to Indian Ethics 2 Meaning and Nature of Ethics • Ethics: study of right and wrong conduct • In Indian thought, ethics is harmony with the cosmic order ( ta) Ṛ • Focus on self-discipline, social harmony, and Mok a ṣ (liberation)
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  10/27/2025 Week 2 MsRajshree Beneymadoo Introduction to Indian Ethics 3 Distinctive Features of Indian Ethics • Rooted in spiritual and cosmic order ( ta) Ṛ • Integration of individual and social duties (Dharma) • Teleological – aimed at Mok a (ultimate goal) ṣ • Emphasis on Karma (moral causation) and personal responsibility
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  10/27/2025 Week 2 MsRajshree Beneymadoo Introduction to Indian Ethics 4 Sources of Indian Ethics • Vedas and Upani ads – earliest moral foundations ṣ • Bhagavad Gītā – synthesis of duty, action, and devotion • Dharmaśāstras and Sm tis – social and moral codes ṛ • Epics (Rāmāya a, Mahābhārata) – narrative ethics ṇ through role models
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  10/27/2025 Week 2 MsRajshree Beneymadoo Introduction to Indian Ethics 5 Key Ethical Concepts • ta – Cosmic Order ensuring harmony in universe Ṛ • Dharma – Moral duty and righteousness • Karma – Law of moral causation (actions and consequences) • Mok a – Liberation as the ultimate ethical aim ṣ
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  10/27/2025 Week 2 MsRajshree Beneymadoo Introduction to Indian Ethics 6 Individual and Social Ethics • Individual ethics: moral purity, truth, compassion, self-control • Social ethics: justice, cooperation, service (Sevā) • Harmony between personal and societal duties sustains Dharma
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  10/27/2025 Week 2 MsRajshree Beneymadoo Introduction to Indian Ethics 7 Cardinal Virtues (Sadācāra) • • Truth (Satya), Non-violence (Ahimsā), Purity (Śauca), Self-restraint (Dama) • • Compassion (Dayā), Charity (Dāna), Forgiveness (K amā) ṣ • • Virtues guide conduct towards spiritual growth
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  10/27/2025 Week 2 MsRajshree Beneymadoo Introduction to Indian Ethics 8 Indian Ethical Ideal: Mok a ṣ • Mok a is the Summum Bonum – highest good of ṣ life • Ethical living purifies the mind for liberation • All actions aligned with Dharma lead towards Mok a ṣ
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  10/27/2025 Week 2 MsRajshree Beneymadoo Introduction to Indian Ethics 9 Reflection and Discussion • How does Indian ethics differ from Western moral philosophy? • In what ways can ta, Dharma, and Karma be Ṛ applied today? • 'Right action' as inner harmony – Discuss.