Course

Unit I

Contemporary Debates: Upanisads, Bhagavad Gita, Dhammapada, Tattvartha Sutra, Tirukural, Santiparva of Mahabharata and Arthasastra of Kautilya: Rta and Satya, Rna and Yajna, Yoga and Ksema. Viduraniti and Nitisatakam.

Unit II

Arthasangraha of Laugaksi Bhaskara: Sabda (Veda Pramanya), Apauruseyatva, Purusa, Dharma, Apurva, Bhavana, Sadhya-Sadhana, Itikartavyata, Istasadhanata, Vidhi, Nisedha, Arthavada, Rules of Textual Interpretation.

Unit III

The Law of Karma: Ethical Implications, Sadharana Karma. Sruthi, Smrti and Sadacara.

Unit IV

Purva Mimamsa Sutra of Jaimini: The first Five Sutras with Sabara’s Bhasya, Sastra Dipika of Parthasarathi Misra and Prakaranapancika of Salikanatha.

Unit V

Bhagavad Gita: Karmayoga, Svadharma and Lokasangraha.
Yoga: Yama and Niyama.
Jainism: Triratnas, Dharmavidhi and Caitracara.
Buddhism
Modern Interpretation of Dharma: Tilak and Gandhi.

“Moral Philosophy in India” is a course offered to S2 MA Philosophy students. It aims to provide an insight to the moral philosophical systems in India. The course provides a detailed understanding on various concepts of moral philosophy in India from Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, Tirukural, Arthasastra etc. This course will help the students to get a clear understanding on the moral philosophical teachings of India.

1. To understand the characteristics of Indian ethics
2. To inculcate the capacity to have debates in ethical concepts
3. To analyse the contemporary relevance of the ethical teachings found in Indian epics and purāṇās
4. To analyse the law of karma and its interconnectedness with ethics

CO1: To get a historical understanding on Indian moral philosophical system
CO2: To understand the moral concepts from reliable classical texts
CO3: To analyse the contextual relevance of ancient Indian moral teachings
CO4: To develop a culture of critical and analytical thinking

None

1, S. K. Maitra. The Ethics of the Hindus. Calcutta: Calcutta University Press, 1925. English.
2, R. Prasad. Karma, Causation and Retributive Morality. Delhi: ICPR, 1989. English.
3, Sri. Aurobindo. Essays on the Gita. Pondicherry: Sri Aurobindo Ashram Press, 1997. English.
4, M. Hiriyanna. The Indian Conception of Values. Mysore: Kavyalaya Publishers, 1975. English.
5, Surama Dasgupta. Development of Moral Philosophy in India. New York: F Ungar Publishing Company, 1965. English.
6, I. C. Sharma. Ethical Philosophies of India. California: Harper and Row, 1970. English.

3- Strong, 2- Moderate, 1- Weak