Consequences of Compassion: An Interpretation and Defense of Buddhist Ethics

Religion & Spirituality

Goodman, Charles

Buddhism

Oxford University Press

To many Westerners, the most appealing teachings of the Buddhist tradition pertain to ethics. Many readers have drawn inspiration from Buddhism's emphasis on compassion, nonviolence, and tolerance, its concern for animals, and its models of virtue and self-cultivation. There has been, however, controversy and confusion about which Western ethical theories resemble Buddhist views and in what respects. In this book, Charles Goodman illuminates the relations between Buddhist concepts and Western ethical theories. Every version of Buddhist ethics, says Goodman, takes the welfare of sentient beings to be the only source of moral obligations. Buddhist ethics can thus be said to be based on compassion in the sense of a motivation to pursue the welfare of others. On this interpretation, the fundamental basis of the various forms of Buddhist ethics is the same as that of the welfarist members of the family of ethical theories that analytic philosophers call 'consequentialism.' Goodman uses this hypothesis to illuminate a variety of questions. He examines the three types of compassion practiced in Buddhism and argues for their implications for important issues in applied ethics, especially the justification of punishment and the question of equality.

To many Westerners, the most appealing teachings of the Buddhist tradition pertain to ethics. Many readers have drawn inspiration from Buddhism's emphasis on compassion, nonviolence, and tolerance, its concern for animals, and its models of virtue and self-cultivation. There has been, however, controversy and confusion about which Western ethical theories resemble Buddhist views and in what respects. In this book, Charles Goodman illuminates the relations between Buddhist concepts and Western ethical theories. Every version of Buddhist ethics, says Goodman, takes the welfare of sentient beings to be the only source of moral obligations. Buddhist ethics can thus be said to be based on compassion in the sense of a motivation to pursue the welfare of others. On this interpretation, the fundamental basis of the various forms of Buddhist ethics is the same as that of the welfarist members of the family of ethical theories that analytic philosophers call 'consequentialism.' Goodman uses this hypothesis to illuminate a variety of questions. He examines the three types of compassion practiced in Buddhism and argues for their implications for important issues in applied ethics, especially the justification of punishment and the question of equality.

The Training Anthology of Santideva: A Translation of the Siksa-samuccaya

The Training Anthology--or Siksa-samuccaya--is a collection of quotations from Buddhist sutras with illuminating and insightful commentary by the eighth-century North Indian master Santideva. Best known for his philosophical poem, the Bodhicaryavatara, Santideva (or Shantideva) has been a vital source of spiritual guidance and literary inspiration to Tibetan teachers and students throughout the history of Tibetan Buddhism. Charles Goodman offers a translation of this major work of religious literature, in which Santideva has extracted, from the vast ocean of the Buddha's teachings, a large number of passages of exceptional value, either for their practical relevance, philosophical illumination, or aesthetic beauty. The Training Anthology provides a comprehensive overview of the Mahayana path to Awakening and gives scholars an invaluable window into the religious doctrines, ethical commitments, and everyday life of Buddhist monks in India during the first millennium CE.

The Training Anthology--or Siksa-samuccaya--is a collection of quotations from Buddhist sutras with illuminating and insightful commentary by the eighth-century North Indian master Santideva. Best known for his philosophical poem, the Bodhicaryavatara, Santideva (or Shantideva) has been a vital source of spiritual guidance and literary inspiration to Tibetan teachers and students throughout the history of Tibetan Buddhism. Charles Goodman offers a translation of this major work of religious literature, in which Santideva has extracted, from the vast ocean of the Buddha's teachings, a large number of passages of exceptional value, either for their practical relevance, philosophical illumination, or aesthetic beauty. The Training Anthology provides a comprehensive overview of the Mahayana path to Awakening and gives scholars an invaluable window into the religious doctrines, ethical commitments, and everyday life of Buddhist monks in India during the first millennium CE.

Paperback: 196 pagesPublisher: Castle Books; [Premier limited ed.] edition (August 1984)Language: EnglishISBN-10: 0916693007ISBN-13: 978-0916693008Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.5 inchesShipping Weight: 0.8 ounces

Me 'N Elvis

Biographies & Memoirs

Hodge, Charlie

Arts & Literature

Castle Books, Inc.

Hardcover: 276 pages of text and a few black and white pictures. This is a story of four girls who found themselves where millions of Elvis fans wanted to be - close to Elvis during the good time years at Graceland. It's a story of life behind the scenes with Elvis as seen through the sensitive eyes of four girls who cared deeply about him - Arlene, Heidi, Darlene and Frances. It reveals the intimate sides of Elvis as only women could see them. His jealousies, his humor, his playfulness, his compassion, his love. Publisher: Castle Books Inc; 1985 Language: English ISBN-10: 0916693058 Product Dimensions: 8.75 x 5.8 x 1 inches Book Weight: 1.4 pounds

Elvis, This One's for You

Cogan, Arlene

The passage between Acapulco and the Panama Canal offers some of the best and some of the least known cruising areas in the world. In early 1988 a group of gathered for a meeting at the Acapulco Yacht Club to compare notes, ideas and personal information about the trip to the canal. Very little had been written about anchorages, supplies, and the sailing tactics en route. This cruising guide contains detailed descriptions of 51 Anchorages between Acapulco and the Panama Canal. Also included are 40 charts, 15 photos, a list of Radio Nets and a Bibliography. Includes charts and illustrations.

A Cruising Guide from Acapulco to the Panama Canal

Engineering & Transportation

Transportation

Paradise Cay Pubns

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Goodman, Charles. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Goodman, Charles

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Goodman, Charles. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Consequences of Compassion: An Interpretation and Defense of Buddhist Ethics

Consequences of Compassion: An Interpretation and Defense of Buddhist Ethics

Consequences of Compassion: An Interpretation and Defense of Buddhist Ethics

The Training Anthology of Santideva: A Translation of the Siksa-samuccaya

The Training Anthology of Santideva: A Translation of the Siksa-samuccaya

Me 'N Elvis

Elvis, This One's for You

A Cruising Guide from Acapulco to the Panama Canal