Ethics in Schopenhauer and Buddhism
In the following thesis I outline Schopenhauerâs ethics in its metaphysical context and in contrast to ethics based on egoism. I look at criticisms of Schopenhauerâs philosophy which have emerged quite recently, and some of which (if valid) would undermine Schopenhauerâs compassion-based moral theory. I have explained these criticisms and offered a defence of Schopenhauer. In order to take up Schopenhauerâs claim of affinity with Buddhist philosophy, I outline first of all early Buddhist then MahÄyÄna ethics focusing on the latterâs central idea of compassion. It has been suggested by some scholars that there are specific problems in Buddhist ethics which undermine the idea of compassion and I explain, then attempt to counter, these claims with specific reference to ĆÄntideva and his rejection of egoism as a means of acting in a moral way or of finding liberation from suffering. I then address recent criticisms of ĆÄntidevaâs BodhicaryÄvatÄra, especially the idea that the specific role of compassion in his ethics and its soteriological role are illogical â an idea which I argue against. Finally I compare the core ideas of Schopenhauerâs solution to the problem of suffering with what
Hutton, Kenneth
BQ Buddhism ; BJ Ethics
Ethics in Schopenhauer and Buddhism. In the following thesis I outline Schopenhauerâs ethics in its metaphysical context and in contrast to ethics based on egoism. I look at criticisms of Schopenhauerâs philosophy which have emerged quite recently, and some of which (if valid) would undermine Schopenhauerâs compassion-based moral theory. I have explained these criticisms and offered a defence of Schopenhauer. In order to take up Schopenhauerâs claim of affinity with Buddhist philosophy, I outline first of all early Buddhist then MahÄyÄna ethics focusing on the latterâs central idea of compassion. It has been suggested by some scholars that there are specific problems in Buddhist ethics which undermine the idea of compassion and I explain, then attempt to counter, these claims with specific reference to ĆÄntideva and his rejection of egoism as a means of acting in a moral way or of finding liberation from suffering. I then address recent criticisms of ĆÄntidevaâs BodhicaryÄvatÄra, especially the idea that the specific role of compassion in his ethics and its soteriological role are illogical â an idea which I argue against. Finally I compare the core ideas of Schopenhauerâs solution to the problem of suffering with what
ethics schopenhauer buddhism follow outline schopenhauer ethic metaphysical context contrast ethic base look criticism schopenhauer philosophy emerge quite recently valid would undermine schopenhauer compassion based moral_theory explain criticism offer defence schopenhauer order take schopenhauer claim affinity buddhist_philosophy outline first early_buddhist mahayana ethic focus latter central idea compassion suggested scholar specific problem buddhist ethic undermine idea compassion explain attempt counter claim specific_reference rejection mean act moral way find liberation suffering address recent criticism especially idea specific role compassion ethic soteriological role illogical idea argue against finally compare core_idea schopenhauer solution_problem suffering