The present work takes full cognisance of the recent developments in the Western ethical thought and its likely impact on the understanding of the traditional Indian ethics. That is the speciality of the present work. Moreover, Maitra's book, as the litle suggests, is a treatise specially on Hindu Ethics. Ethical ideas found in Buddhism and Jainism have been occasionally dealt with. On the contrary, the present work takes equal note of the ethical ideas contained in Hindu, Buddha and Jaina traditions, while dealing with the subject in its special framework of presentation.
The distinctive developments in Western ethics have given rise to certain well-knit conceptual moulds, which, if properly applied to any system of ethics, can help us to understand the subject better. That is what the author has tried to do in this book. In course of doing this, certain reconstructions have also been made because material suited to these conceptual moulds are not always readily or directly available in the Indian thought.
The book was first published in 1998. Since then, certain reprints, of course, came out, but a revised edition was still awaited. And that has been done in the present edition. An Introduction has also been added towards the beginning. Certain additions and changes have also been made at places where they were felt necessary.
The book is a philosophical treatise on the Hindu, Bauddha and Jaina morals meant for the University students of Indian Ethics as well as for the general readers interested in the subject. Books on the subject are generally written in a historical perspective. On the contrary, the present work is philosophical and critical which takes full cognisance of the recent developments in Western ethical thought and its likely impact on the understanding of the traditional Indian ethics. Attempt has been made to understand the subject in the light of certain well-knit conceptual frames developed in the West in the field of ethics. In course of doing this, certain reconstructions have also been made, but it has always been kept in mind that the reconstructions do not become jejune to the natural spirit of Indian thought. |
