Overview

Buddhist Ethics presents an outline of Buddhist ethical thought. It is not a defense of Buddhist approaches to ethics as opposed to any other, nor is it a critique of the Western tradition. Garfield presents a broad overview of a range of Buddhist approaches to the question of moral philosophy. He draws on a variety of thinkers, reflecting the great diversity of this 2500-year-old tradition in philosophy but also the principles that tie them together. In particular, he engages with the literature that argues that Buddhist ethics is best understood as a species of virtue ethics, and with those who argue that it is best understood as consequentialist. Garfield argues that while there are important points of contact with these Western frameworks, Buddhist ethics is distinctive, and is a kind of moral phenomenology that is concerned with the ways in which we experience ourselves as agents and others as moral fellows. With this framework, Garfield explores the connections between Buddhist ethics and recent work in moral particularism, such as that of Jonathan Dancy, as well as the British and Scottish sentimentalist tradition represented by Hume and Smith.

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9780190907648

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Reviews

the book fills an important gap among presentations of Buddhist ethics. It presents Buddhist ethics as a live option, inviting readers to consider turning their attention away from the traditional questions of Western ethics and toward Buddhist questions. * Amod Lele, Journal of Buddhist Ethics * As a teacher and student of Buddhist thought, I am tremendously grateful for this vivid introduction to the full edifice of Buddhist ethics. Garfield sets upright and tightens the bolts on the structure of Buddhist ethics, adds dimension with rich readings of Buddhist narrative and path literature, paints upon it a fascinating, pioneering interpretation of Buddhist vows, and opens the door for contemporary applications. * JONATHAN GOLD, Princeton University * In this accessible, clear, and constructive engagement with Buddhist moral phenomenology, Jay Garfield continues his program to render contemporary philosophy's neglect of Asian thought rationally indefensible. Students and scholars alike will learn much from this book. * MARIA HEIM, Amherst College * Garfield's book offers a bold statement of Buddhist ethics that eschews attempts to assimilate it to familiar Western ethical approaches like con-sequentialism and deontology. Instead, Garfield argues that Buddhism promotes a very different model of ethics focused on cultivating how we experience ourselves rather than on what outcomes we seek in the world. Garfield builds a clear and engaging case for this interpretation of Buddhist ethics as a kind of moral phenomenology. Buddhist Ethics demands that we rethink not just Buddhist philosophy, but the familiar assumptions about the very form moral philosophy might take. * SHAUN NICHOLS, Cornell University * Garfield's comprehensive presentation of Buddhist ethical thought is an invaluable contribution not only to philosophy, ethical theory, and theology but also a fascinating read for anyone wondering how to relate Buddhism to Western philosophy. Showing how Buddhist ethics aims for 'the trans-formation of our moral perception,' Garfield presents a compelling reading of Buddhism as a call for greater interconnectedness and universal moral responsibility. * DR. PHIL. CAROLA ROLOFF, Academy of World Religions, University of Hamburg *

As a teacher and student of Buddhist thought, I am tremendously grateful for this vivid introduction to the full edifice of Buddhist ethics. Garfield sets upright and tightens the bolts on the structure of Buddhist ethics, adds dimension with rich readings of Buddhist narrative and path literature, paints upon it a fascinating, pioneering interpretation of Buddhist vows, and opens the door for contemporary applications. * JONATHAN GOLD, Princeton University * In this accessible, clear, and constructive engagement with Buddhist moral phenomenology, Jay Garfield continues his program to render contemporary philosophy's neglect of Asian thought rationally indefensible. Students and scholars alike will learn much from this book. * MARIA HEIM, Amherst College * Garfield's book offers a bold statement of Buddhist ethics that eschews attempts to assimilate it to familiar Western ethical approaches like con-sequentialism and deontology. Instead, Garfield argues that Buddhism promotes a very different model of ethics focused on cultivating how we experience ourselves rather than on what outcomes we seek in the world. Garfield builds a clear and engaging case for this interpretation of Buddhist ethics as a kind of moral phenomenology. Buddhist Ethics demands that we rethink not just Buddhist philosophy, but the familiar assumptions about the very form moral philosophy might take. * SHAUN NICHOLS, Cornell University * Garfield's comprehensive presentation of Buddhist ethical thought is an invaluable contribution not only to philosophy, ethical theory, and theology but also a fascinating read for anyone wondering how to relate Buddhism to Western philosophy. Showing how Buddhist ethics aims for 'the trans-formation of our moral perception,' Garfield presents a compelling reading of Buddhism as a call for greater interconnectedness and universal moral responsibility. * DR. PHIL. CAROLA ROLOFF, Academy of World Religions, University of Hamburg *

Author Information

Jay L. Garfield is Doris Silbert Professor in the Humanities and Professor of Philosophy, Logic and Buddhist Studies, Chair of the Philosophy department, and director of the Logic program at Smith College. He is also Visiting Professor of Buddhist Philosophy at Harvard Divinity School, Professor of Philosophy at Melbourne University and Adjunct Professor of Philosophy at the Central University of Tibetan Studies. He has taught in Australia, Singapore, Japan and Germany and is a regular lecturer at major universities, Buddhist Studies centers and research institutions around the world. Professor Garfield is author, co-author, or editor of 30 books and over 180 articles and book reviews.

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