What to do and why?
Introduction From morning since we wake-up till night when we go to sleep, all the time we keep doing something or the other. Only in sleep we are completely inactive for some time, otherwise we are constantly doing something. But what are we exactly doing? Why are we doing it? How are we doing it? We rarely think of this consciously. Some of our actions are just done habitually; some are as told by others, while some are the results of our decisions. Sometimes our natural instincts are responsible for our behaviour, whereas sometimes our emotions are responsible.
In the previous year, we have seen the difference between involuntary action and voluntary action. Involuntary actions are mechanical, we do not have complete control over them. However, voluntary actions are prompted by free will and they are based on values. That is why, they can be good or bad, right or wrong. Most of the times we try to perform actions following the rules taught to us about what is morally right and what is wrong.
We have already studied the need for moral laws. If, you take a closer look at your own behaviour, you will notice that at times your behaviour is determined by the teachings you have received or by the conditioning that has happened over the time. For instance, while travelling in a bus if you see an old man standing by, you would quickly get up and give him your seat. But, occasionally, when you have to go out for a movie with a friend 5. What to do and why? you literally lie that you are going for study. At that point at least you do not feel that you have done anything seriously wrong.
Sometimes, we wonder exactly what would be the right thing to do or whether what our friend is doing is right or wrong. When during the exam your closest friend asks you to show an answer of some question, you face a dilemma about what has greater value; the friendship or the rules of the exam? When your friend lies to her ill mother, that she has passed the exams even though she has failed we wonder whether it is right or wrong to do so.
How should one exactly think in such situations? Ethics provides us with a guidance regarding the basis on which right decisions can be made. The nature of Ethics The function of ethics is to explain how to evaluate whether an action is morally good or bad, right or wrong. Ethics examines the criteria for evaluating our actions or the actions of others.
There are mainly two criteria that are considered in this regard. One is the purpose/intention with which an action is performed and the other is the consequence of the action. Every consciously performed action is performed with some or the other produces some consequences. These intentions and consequences are not necessarily interconnected.
In case, if, they are related, then one may say that the desired consequences are achieved. But, sometimes there are consequences that are unforeseen and unexpected to the doer/agent. For example, when some people witness an accident they run to help the accident victims, but if they do not know what is exactly to be done in such a situation, they might unintentionally harm the injured through their actions. If, we evaluate this example on the basis of intentions then the action taken would be considered right but if we consider its consequences then it would be wrong! objective/purpose and every action
he laws that are made for a particular society, in a particular period, for the benefit of the society have a historical context. In every period, following these laws in specific circumstances is beneficial for an individual and the society. But, at times even if the circumstances change drastically, the laws remain unchanged. At that time they do not prove to be beneficial.
The traditional practices and customs, the Do’s and Don’ts of religion (the rules regarding what should be done and what should not be done), the laws made by the government, all these are mostly made for the betterment of the society. From time to time they need to be critically discussed from an ethical perspective. Accepting these laws blindly may be detrimental to the society.
The study of ethics provides guidance about how to examine actions, rules, values and what factors are to be considered in this regard and why. For a good life, critical contemplation related to ethics is as important as the moral conduct. Such contemplation and discussion is the peculiarity of philosophy. The study of ethics is very important for all of us, since, we all desire a good life. For this purpose, let us now get introduced to the ethical concepts and doctrines that have been presented in Indian and Western philosophy. Ethical thought in Indian Tradition As you all know the Rig-Veda is considered to be the first treatise/text in the known traditions. The concept of Ruta is one of the most fundamental concepts in Indian is formed from a verb and is an indicator of motion or movement and order. The Ruta concept suggests that there is a motion in this universe and in this motion there is a sort of order or sequence. The cycle of seasons found in India i.e. summer-monsoonwinter or the cycle of day and night are examples of Ruta. However, the concept of Ruta is not merely related to the order of nature.
Alongwith this, the concept of Ruta also suggests existence of a moral order. According to this notion, there is an implicit order in human behaviour and its consequences. That is why good deeds result in good consequences, while bad deeds lead to bad consequences. Man must perform actions keeping this in mind. Although, in this context there is no clear discussion regarding what is good or bad, still it is clear that the intention is to encourage man to perform good actions. The culmination of Concept of Runa : Runa is a valuable concept of Indian ethics.
The term ‘Runa’ literally means ‘debt’ or ‘loan’. Indian tradition believes that our life and many things that we enjoy in our lives are given to us by someone, therefore we owe them a debt. It is stated that one should become free from debts by repaying them in a proper way. The thought of expressing our gratitude towards those who have benefited us is at the root of the idea of becoming debt free. Indian tradition mentions three main types of Runas, these are - Deva Runa (debt towards deities/ divine debt), Rishi Runa (debt towards sages/ teachers), Pitru Runa (debt towards ancestors). The natural forces/are considered as Gods-Goddesses. The tradition believes that we get life and everything that is necessary for survival from these forces. Our parents and our ancestors are responsible for our birth. We get knowledge from our teachers.
That is why we should be grateful to all of them. Performing sacrifices and other rituals as per the given instructions is a way to become free from the Divine debt. By attaining knowledge in a proper way one becomes free from the debt towards sages. By begetting children the individual becomes free from the debt of ancestors. Apart from these, Indian tradition also mentions Manushya Runa that is debt towards other human beings. The society contributes a lot in making us whatever we are or in whatever we achieve. Charity and co-operation are the suggested ways to repay this debt.
The concept of Runa is important because the feeling of gratitude makes the relationship amongst people more and more friendly and meaningful. Such relations are beneficial for both, the individual as well as the society. It is possible to extend the range of our gratitude beyond the traditionally stated debt. Today, if we believe in the debt towards nature and show gratitude towards it, then would it not help in reducing the issues pertaining to human-nature conduct. Karma is the cause whereas the fruit is the effect. The relationship between cause and effect is inevitable.
The law of karma says that just as the cause inevitably produces an effect, similarly, the fruit will be produced from the karma. It further states that the doer/ agent gets the fruits of the action whether he/ she desires it or not. The proverb ‘Reap as you sow’ is nothing but practical version of the karma theory. The common man too expresses the understanding that he/she has of the karma theory while stating, ‘you have to bear the fruits of your actions’.
Although, this awareness is embedded in the minds of all those who have grown-up in the Indian tradition, everyone does not necessarily have information regarding the types of karma and their significance and regarding the types of karma essential for a good life. Let’s know about them. Good actions Bad actions Action / Cause Good consequences (Fruits) Bad consequences (Fruits) Effect Classification of Karmas The most basic types of karma is the one between voluntary action and involuntary action. You have studied the meaning of these terms in the previous year. Take examples of various actions performed and classify them in the above mentioned types. Let’s do! According to Indian intellectual tradition, the two main motivations behind voluntary actions are ‘Raag’and ‘Dvesha’. It should be noted that the word ‘Raaga’ here does not mean anger or rage. Raaga here means attraction, temptation, desire.
Dvesha means aversion/dislike. All of our actions are based on the basic motivations of ‘wanting’ something and ‘not wanting’ something. The relationship between the action performed by the doer and the fruits it produces can be explained in detail. Proponents of karma theory believe that this relationship works in two ways. It is from the present karma to the fruit that follows, as well as from the present fruit to the previous karma. As per the first relation, good or bad consequences of whichever actions one performs are to be enjoyed/ suffered by the doer. As per the second relation, the pleasure and sorrow that we experience in the present must be the results of the past good or bad deeds.
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