Journal ArticleDOI
Moral Agency and the Paradox of Self-Interested Concern for the Future in Vasubandhu’s Abhidharmakośabhāṣya
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In this article, the authors argue that in Vasubandhu's theory of agency, as formulated in the Abhidharmakośabhāṣya (Treasury of Metaphysics with Self-Commentary), a cognitive and psychological identification with a conventional, persisting self is a requisite for exercising moral agency.Abstract:
It is a common view in modern scholarship on Buddhist ethics that attachment to the self constitutes a hindrance to ethics, whereas rejecting this type of attachment is a necessary condition for acting morally. The present article argues that in Vasubandhu’s theory of agency, as formulated in the Abhidharmakośabhāṣya (Treasury of Metaphysics with Self-Commentary), a cognitive and psychological identification with a conventional, persisting self is a requisite for exercising moral agency. As such, this identification is essential for embracing the ethics of Buddhism and its way of life. The article delineates the method that Vasubandhu employs to account for the notion of a selfless moral agent, with particular emphasis on his strategies for dealing with one central aspect of agency, self-interested concern for the future.read more
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DissertationDOI
Convention and agency in the philosophies of the Mahayana
TL;DR: In this article, the authors focus on the relationship between Sanskrit classical grammar, Ahludharma, and the debates between Madhyamaka and Yogacara, and show how the karaka system and the idea of laksana, influence philosophical argumentation in the context of medieval Indian Buddhist thought.
References
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Book
Motivation and Agency
TL;DR: Mele's book as mentioned in this paper stands boldly at the intersection of philosophy of mind, moral philosophy, and metaphysics, and offers a distinctive, comprehensive, attractive view of human agency.
Book
The nature of Buddhist ethics
TL;DR: The importance of ethics in the Buddha's teachings is widely acknowledged, but the pursuit of ethical ideals has up to now been widely held to be secondary to the attainment of knowledge as discussed by the authors.
Book
An Introduction to Buddhist Ethics: Foundations, Values and Issues
TL;DR: Buddhist ethics: Shared foundations of Buddhist ethics: sources of guidance to Buddhists Rebirth and karma The four noble truths Philosophy of action as mentioned in this paper, key Buddhist values giving Keeping the lay precepts Monastic values Ethics of inter-personal relationships Loving kindness and compassion Social ethics.