Description
Modern Western approaches to India often have focused on metaphysics at the expense of ethics, leading many to see Hinduism as only concerned with the esoteric and the otherworldly. The chapters of this book offer case study explorations that are selected and presented to invite comparisons with the modern West. Such comparisons will help to remove the apparent otherworldly nature of Hindu thought from the minds of Western readers, as well as give depth and new significance to Indian ideas in the areas of medical ethics, social ethics, and human rights. The case studies demonstrate that Indian thought has not ignored deep reflection on ethical problems that are presenting serious challenges to the modern world. They demonstrate that Hinduism has a firm grounding in ethics, even when the most difficult questions are raised.
About the authors
Harold Coward is a scholar of international reputation with distinguished contributions to both the University of Victoria and University of Calgary throughout his extensive career. After retiring from the University of Victoria as director of the Centre for Studies in Religion and Society, he continues to be involved as a research fellow. He is currently a member of the Genome BC Board of Directors, where he serves as a specialist on ethics and biotechnology. In June 2002, Dr. Coward was also selected as one of the twenty-five power thinkers in British Columbia by BC Business Magazine.
Leslie S. Kawamura is an Assistant Professor, Department of Religious Studies, University of Calgary, Alberta. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, in Far Eastern Studies (1974). He has studied at the Kyoto University (Japan) and has taught at the Nyingma Institute (Berkeley), Institute of Buddhist Studies (Berkeley), and the University of Saskatchewan (Saskatoon). His publications include Mind in Buddhist Psychology (with H.V. Guenther, Dharma Press, 1975) and Golden Zephyr (Dharma Press, 1975). He was a founding member of the Honpa Buddhist Church of Alberta and the Canada-Mongolia Society.
Katherine K. Young is James McGill Professor of religious studies at McGill University. Paul Nathanson is a researcher in religious studies at McGill University. They are co-authors of Spreading Misandry: The Teaching of Contempt for Men in Popular Culture and Legalizing Misandry: From Public Shame to Systemic Discrimination Against Men and are currently working on the concluding volume of the series -- Transcending Misandry: From Feminist Ideology to Intersexual Dialogue.
Editorial Reviews
"Much attention has been given to the topic of duties in the Indian tradition. This work includes rights as well, as any competent ethical discussion must. The topic is highly significant for ethical dialogue, East and West, and for our closer understanding of the Indian religious tradition." — Harold W. French, University of South Carolina
"The book takes specific moral issues and traces the response of specific texts and thinkers to the issues rather than making the usual generalizations about 'the Hindu view.' It is not superficial but sound, and deals with issues that are a part of contemporary ethical discussions. This makes it unique and a valuable work." — Robert N. Minor, University of Kansas
Other titles by
Silence, the Word and the Sacred
Fifty Years of Religious Studies in Canada
A Personal Retrospective
Spirituality in Hospice Palliative Care
Language in Indian Philosophy and Religion
The Perfectibility of Human Nature in Eastern and Western Thought
Readings in Eastern Religions
2nd edition
Mystics and Scholars
The Calgary Conference on Mysticism 1976
Humanities in the Present Day
Religion and Ethnicity
Religious Dimensions of Child and Family Life
Reflections on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
Other titles by
Replacing Misandry
A Revolutionary History of Men
Sanctifying Misandry
Goddess Ideology and the Fall of Man
Legalizing Misandry
From Public Shame to Systemic Discrimination against Men
The Annual Review of Women in World Religions
Volume VI
Spreading Misandry
The Teaching of Contempt for Men in Popular Culture
Feminism and World Religions
The Annual Review of Women in World Religions
Volume IV
The Annual Review of Women in World Religions
Volume III
The Annual Review of Women in World Religions
Volume I