Ethics in Schopenhauer and Buddhism

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Descriptionངོ་སྤྲོད།

Abstract

In the following thesis I outline Schopenhauer’s ethics in its metaphysical context and in contrast to ethics based on egoism. I look at criticisms of Schopenhauer’s philosophy which have emerged quite recently, and some of which (if valid) would undermine Schopenhauer’s compassion-based moral theory. I have explained these criticisms and offered a defence of Schopenhauer. In order to take up Schopenhauer’s claim of affinity with Buddhist philosophy, I outline first of all early Buddhist then Mahāyāna ethics focusing on the latter’s central idea of compassion.
It has been suggested by some scholars that there are specific problems in Buddhist ethics which undermine the idea of compassion and I explain, then attempt to counter, these claims with specific reference to Śāntideva and his rejection of egoism as a means of acting in a moral way or of finding liberation from suffering. I then address recent criticisms of Śāntideva’s Bodhicaryāvatāra, especially the idea that the specific role of compassion in his ethics and its soteriological role are illogical – an idea which I argue against.
Finally I compare the core ideas of Schopenhauer’s solution to the problem of suffering with what seems similar in Śāntideva. In doing this, I examine whether or not Schopenhauer is right in claiming convergence between Buddhism and his own philosophy, especially in the area of soteriology as it relates to ethics.

Citation

Hutton, Kenneth. "Ethics in Schopenhauer and Buddhism." PhD diss., University of Glasgow, 2008. http://theses.gla.ac.uk/912/1/2009huttonphd.pdf.

Table of contents

Abbreviations5
Conventions6
Introduction7
- Why Compare Schopenhauer and Buddhism?7
- What is Comparative Philosophy?8
  - The Genesis of Comparative Philosophy10
  - Does Comparative Philosophy Make Sense?11
  - How Should we Conduct Comparisons?12
- Outline of the Argument13
Chapter 1: An Outline of Schopenhauer’s Ethics16
- 1.1 Incentives to Action20
- 1.2 Death27
- 1.3 Redemption29
Chapter 2: Contrasts and Comparisons to Schopenhauer's Ethics33
- 2.1 Hobbes33
- 2.2 Hume38
  - 2.2.1 The Origins of Sympathy and Selfishness40
- 2.3 Reason, Mysticism and Indian Philosophy42
Chapter 3: Contemporary Criticisms of Schopenhauer's Ethics46
- 3.1 The Knowability of the Will46
- 3.2 Metaphysical Egoism51
Chapter 4: Compassion in Buddhist Ethics57
- 4.1. A Discussion of the Nature of Buddhist Ethics58
  - 4.1.1 The Role of Buddhist Ethics in Relation to the Path of Liberation60
  - 4.1.2 Comparisons to Western Systems of Ethics61
  - 4.1.3 Buddhist Ethics as Deontological62
  - 4.1.4 Buddhist Ethics as Utilitarian63
  - 4.1.5 Buddhist Ethics as Aristotelian Virtue Ethics66
  - 4.1.6 Useful Comparisons?68
- 4.2 The Place of Compassion in Buddhist Ethics70
  - 4.2.1 Compassion as a Brahma-vihāra71
  - 4.2.2 The Soteriological Role of Compassion72
  - 4.2.3 Compassion and the Buddha73
- 4.3 Special Problems with Buddhist Ethics75
  - 4.3.1 Buddhist Ethics as Passive, Quietist Avoidance75
  - 4.3.2 Compassion and Self-Interest78
  - 4.3.3 Compassion and Emptiness79
  - 4.3.4 Compassion and the Not-self Teaching81
Chapter 5: Śāntideva's Account of the Bodhisattva Ideal84
- 5.1 Mahāyāna Buddhism84
  - 5.1.1 Mādhyamaka86
  - 5.1.2 Yogācāra86
  - 5.1.3 Prāsaģgika and Svātantrika86
  - 5.1.4 Following the Bodhisattva Path87
  - 5.1.5 Historical Background to Śāntideva87
- 5.2 The Bodhicaryāvatāra in Translation89
  - 5.2.1 Structural Outline of the Bodhicaryāvatāra89
  - 5.2.2 The Route to Compassion in the Bodhicaryāvatāra92
  - 5.2.3 Equality of Self and Others (BCA 8:90- 119)92
  - 5.2.4 Exchanging Self and Others (BCA 8:120-173)97
  - 5.2.5 The Route to Wisdom in the Bodhicaryāvatāra100
  - 5.2.6 The Perfection of Wisdom: An Outline of Prajña101
  - 5.2.7 The Arguments for Śūnyatā102
  - 5.2.8 Debate with the Pre-Mahāyāna103
  - 5.2.9 Debate with the Yogācāra106
  - 5.2.10 Reconciling Śūnyatā with Karuṇā112
- 5.3 The Śikşāsamuccaya114
  - 5.3.1 Structural Outline of the Śikşāsamuccaya114
  - 5.3.2 Protecting115
  - 5.3.3 Purifying116
  - 5.3.4 Developing116
Chapter 6: Criticisms of Śāntideva119
- 6.1 Paul Williams' Initial Criticisms of Śāntideva119
  - 6.1.1 Alternative Interpretations120
  - 6.1.2 The Wider Context: The Śikşāsamuccaya125
  - 6.1.3 The Wider Context and Meditation127
- 6.2 Support for Williams?130
  - 6.2.1 Minds or Nothing?132
- 6.3 Williams' Further Criticisms of Śāntideva133
  - 6.3.1 Mystical Conclusions134
- 6.4 Williams' 'Concession'136
  - Reply to Cabezón136
- 6.5 Conclusion137
Chapter 7: Conclusion139
- 7.1 Schopenhauer's Dismissal of other Forms of Ethics139
- 7.2 Schopenhauer's Acquaintance with Indian Thought141
- 7.3 General Comparisons142
  - 7.3.1 The Principle of Sufficient Reason and Dependent Origination145
  - 7.3.2 Dependent Origination147
  - 7.3.3 Rebirth148
- 7.4 Schopenhauer and Mādhyamaka Buddhism154
  - 7.4.1 Morality and the World as Idea155
  - 7.4.2 Summary of Schopenhauer’s Metaphysics156
  - 7.4.3 Schopenhauer’s Minor Solution to Suffering157
  - 7.4.4 Schopenhauer’s Major Solution to Suffering157
Appendix 1:162
Appendix 2:163
Bibliography164
- Primary Sources164
- Secondary Sources166

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