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An Analytical Exposition of Indian Value System

Received: 31 May 2022     Accepted: 22 July 2022     Published: 9 August 2022
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Abstract

Values play an important role in shaping human lives. Ethics is a discipline which not only studies human conduct but also advises to be virtuous to live a meaningful life. The discourse on ethics has not been discussed in Indian Philosophy as similar and found in western philosophy. In India, philosophy, religion and ethics have not been discussed in isolation. As a result of which, some have the opinion that there is no subject as ‘Indian Ethics’. To counter this view is the chief objective of writing this paper. Aristotle has truly defined man as a rational animal; rationality here is a distinguishing feature between man and animal. Humans are different from any other creature of physical world. Mere sensory pleasure and fulfillment of desires cannot be the motto of human life. Human being as rational and responsible being or moral being has the capacity to elevate themselves to the spiritual plane. It is generally agreed that human beings should lead a balanced life with proper knowledge and include the pursuit of proximate and ultimate goals of life. For this there can be different patterns of theorizing but Indian value system and its traditional schema seems to have much in its favour. Indian value system offers a holistic philosophy of life with due recognition to the material and spiritual needs of human beings. Indian value system always advocated altruistic attitude towards life. An individual’s existence has its real meaning within a totality or collective and his agency is exercised with this totality, wherein he interacts with others. Ultimately an Individual’s actions should thus promote the well-being of the collective. The guiding spirit here seems to be close to the philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiv-Kutumbakam’ (The whole world is a family), Bhagvadgita’s ideal of general welfare (Loksangraha) and Buddhist ideal of ‘Bodhisattava’. Present paper provides a clear and comprehensive view of Indian value system.

Published in International Journal of Philosophy (Volume 10, Issue 3)
DOI 10.11648/j.ijp.20221003.13
Page(s) 105-111
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2022. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Dharma, Purusharthas, Lokasangraha, Vasudhaiv-kutumbakam, Bodhisattava, Three Debts, Five Sacrifices, Five Ethical Vows

References
[1] Arti Dhand, (2002) “The Dharma of ethics, the ethics of Dharma: Quizzing the ideals of Hinduism”; Journal of Religious ethics, Vol. 30 No. 3.
[2] Chaturvedi, Vibha and Sahni, Pragati, (2013) ‘Understanding ethics, Macmillian Publishers India Ltd.
[3] Radhakrishnan, S; (1998) ‘Indian philosophy’ Vol.-I, oxford University Press Delhi.
[4] Radhakrishnan, S; (1990) ‘Eastern religions and western Thought’ oxford University Press, Delhi.
[5] The cultural Heritage of India, (2011) Published by the Ramkrishna Mission Institute of Culture Kolkata, India.
[6] Sen P. K, (1991), Reference and truth, Indian council of Philosophical research in association with allied publishers Ltd. Calcutta.
[7] Goyandaka J. D. (2022) Mahabharata, Vol. II (Shanti Parva) Gita Press, Gorakhpur.
[8] Shastri, Ramchandra Verma (Commentator), Manu Smriti, Amazon.in.
[9] Mohapatra, P. K. (Ed.), (1994), Studies of the Purusharthas, Bhubaneswar, (Orissa), Utkal University, DSA in philosophy.
[10] Patnaik. T, Das, G. P and Panigraphi S. C. (Edited) (1994), Studies on purusarthas, published by P.G. Dept. of philosophy, Utkal University, Bhuvneshwar, Orissa.
[11] Satyanarayana Y. V; (2009) Ethics Theory and practice, Pearson, New Delhi.
[12] Sharma, Ganga Sahaya (Editor), Rig-Veda: Purusha-Sukta, found in the Rigveda, Kindal Edition Amazon.in.
[13] Tomar, Ankit and Malik, K. Suratha (Ed.), (2020) Ancient and medieval Indian thought, Sage Publications India Pvt. Ltd.
[14] Atharva Veda: Maha Upanishad, Amazon.in.
[15] Bist: U. S. (Ed) (2013) Contemporary Philosophy, Satyam Publishing House, New Delhi.
[16] Goyandaka., Harikrishna Das (Commentator) (2021) J. D. (2022) Ishavasy Upanishad, Gita Press, Gorakhpur.
[17] Goyandaka., Harikrishna Das (Commentator) (2021), ‘Taitriya, Upnishad, Gita Press, Gorakhpur”.
[18] Panigrahi, S. C; (1994) The concept of Yoga in the Gita, Prajnaloka, Puri Orissa.
[19] Goyandaka, J. D; (2010) “Sri MadbhagvadgitaTattavivecani (English Commentary), Gita Press, Gorakphur, India, 25th Edition.
[20] Srimad Bhagvadgita, Chapter III, V & IV Gita Press, Gorakhpur.
[21] Sinha J. N; (2012) Indian philosophy, Vol.-I, New Central Book Agency (P) Ltd, Kolkata, second Revised, Edition.
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    Kanchan Saxena. (2022). An Analytical Exposition of Indian Value System. International Journal of Philosophy, 10(3), 105-111. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijp.20221003.13

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    Kanchan Saxena. An Analytical Exposition of Indian Value System. Int. J. Philos. 2022, 10(3), 105-111. doi: 10.11648/j.ijp.20221003.13

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    Kanchan Saxena. An Analytical Exposition of Indian Value System. Int J Philos. 2022;10(3):105-111. doi: 10.11648/j.ijp.20221003.13

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ijp.20221003.13,
      author = {Kanchan Saxena},
      title = {An Analytical Exposition of Indian Value System},
      journal = {International Journal of Philosophy},
      volume = {10},
      number = {3},
      pages = {105-111},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ijp.20221003.13},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijp.20221003.13},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijp.20221003.13},
      abstract = {Values play an important role in shaping human lives. Ethics is a discipline which not only studies human conduct but also advises to be virtuous to live a meaningful life. The discourse on ethics has not been discussed in Indian Philosophy as similar and found in western philosophy. In India, philosophy, religion and ethics have not been discussed in isolation. As a result of which, some have the opinion that there is no subject as ‘Indian Ethics’. To counter this view is the chief objective of writing this paper. Aristotle has truly defined man as a rational animal; rationality here is a distinguishing feature between man and animal. Humans are different from any other creature of physical world. Mere sensory pleasure and fulfillment of desires cannot be the motto of human life. Human being as rational and responsible being or moral being has the capacity to elevate themselves to the spiritual plane. It is generally agreed that human beings should lead a balanced life with proper knowledge and include the pursuit of proximate and ultimate goals of life. For this there can be different patterns of theorizing but Indian value system and its traditional schema seems to have much in its favour. Indian value system offers a holistic philosophy of life with due recognition to the material and spiritual needs of human beings. Indian value system always advocated altruistic attitude towards life. An individual’s existence has its real meaning within a totality or collective and his agency is exercised with this totality, wherein he interacts with others. Ultimately an Individual’s actions should thus promote the well-being of the collective. The guiding spirit here seems to be close to the philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiv-Kutumbakam’ (The whole world is a family), Bhagvadgita’s ideal of general welfare (Loksangraha) and Buddhist ideal of ‘Bodhisattava’. Present paper provides a clear and comprehensive view of Indian value system.},
     year = {2022}
    }
    

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Author Information
  • Department of Philosophy, University of Lucknow, Lucknow, India

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