Characteristics
of Indian Philosophy and Ethics
True, ethical
behavior and ethics as a science do not necessarily presuppose a religious-philosophical
creed. However, not only does every activity presuppose some knowledge of
pragmatic matters, it also involves ideas or beliefs regarding the nature of
the objective world and the subject. In ethical behavior man has to be conscious
of himself as a moral agent, and this presupposes some definite concepts of the
human self, as also of the goal(s) or value(s) which man has to realize through
his conduct. Hinduism as a religion is both a view of life and a way of life
which are related as the theoretical and practical guides of the same spiritual
life. Any study of Hindu ethics ought to take into account innumerable discussion
on ethical matters, scattered throughout ancient Indian literature. Jainism and
Buddhism as two branches of larger Hindu philosophical thought gives detailed
accounts of ethical and unethical behavior and also talks in great lengths
about the duties of man. Ethics in Indian philosophy is conscious living within
the frame of certain principles of conduct laid down by those regarded as
authorities. In general, therefore, the ethical institutions of life or the
moral point of view, consists in the awareness of an important distinction
between what is and what ought to be. In Indian philosophy ethical behavior may
be both social and personal. Ethics as an institution of life has been
recognized here from the very early age of the Vedas. Rather it has been
recognized as the most basic element in human life. But then it has not
necessarily been recognized as a social enterprise in the sense of being an instrument
of the society to help guide the people living in the society. It is rather engrained
in the very being of the universe. Ethics has a divine origin. Man has simply
to adopt it from there.
