Buddhist Ethics Theory And Comparison

Michael G. Barnhart Theory and Comparison in the discussion of Buddhist Ethics  Attempts have been made in comparing Buddhist ethics to Western traditions Question is does Buddhism stand alone or does it belong to some cluster? While there is no theory like Buddhism, its...

Michael G. Barnhart Theory and Comparison in the discussion of Buddhist Ethics  Attempts have been made in comparing Buddhist ethics to Western traditions Question is does Buddhism stand alone or does it belong to some cluster? While there is no theory like Buddhism, its questions and searches are not entirely unique  There are many approaches with Theravada appearing to be virtue oriented Santideva appears to be consequentialist One path follows reverence for Buddha, the other does not Buddhist variety has been compared to Christian Protestantism But all tend to hold four noble truths: 1. suffering; 2. cause; 3. end of suffering; 4. path that leads to the end of suffering Its ethics will also tend to differ  Buddhism and Deontology Buddhism opposed to duty Lacks metaphysics and structure to put obligation on others There are duties but are derived from insight of nature of existence and delusions of selfhood  Buddhism and utilitarianism Connection thought to be found in Buddhism’s version of living meaningfully However, the connections made between Buddhism and utilitarianism are tenuous since the cited conditions are necessary but not sufficient for utilitarianism Also, not entirely clear if utilitarian calculus is always applicable to Buddhism  Buddhism as virtue ethics Buddhism’s fundamental commitment is to principles which promote certain values or goods Aristotelian view of Buddhist insight of human nature: 3 basic human goods (life, knowledge, friendship) These are fundamental to human flourishing However, is there a way to see what suggested fundamental values of Buddhism are