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Eastern Ethics and Western Ethics

Dr. John Z. Ding

Eastern Ethics
Indian Ethics

1. Brahminism
a. The belief in the transmigration of souls
b. The law of Karma ("Deeds" or "works")

2. Jainism
a. The law of Karma
b. The Ajiva ("lifeless things") and the Jiva ("living things")
c. The liberation of soul
d. The "Five Great Vows"
e. The "twelve vows"

3. Buddhism
a. The "Four Noble Truths"
b. Moral purpose--the realization of Nirvana
The negative ways: The lists of things to be avoided
* The "Three Intoxications"
* The "Five Hindrances"
 The "Ten Fetters"

The positive ways

* The "Noble Eightfold Path"
* The "Six Perfections"
* The "Three Intoxications"
* The "Five Meditations"
c. Benevolence

4. Hinduism
a. The "Four Permissible Goals"
b. The "Three Ways of Salvation"

Eight important Characteristics of Indian ethics

Chinese Ethics

1. Taoism
a. The negative aspect: quietism
* Wuwei
b. The positive aspect
* Affirmative power in the quietism of Wuwei
* Implied active function of the Tao

2. Confucianism
a. The "Five Cardinal Virtues"
* Ren or Jen (the root)
* Yi (the trunk)
* Li (the branch)
* Zhi or Chih (the flower)
* Xin or Hsin (the fruit)
b. The "Five Great Relationships"
c. The Four Virtues
* Zhong--loyalty
* Xiao--filial piety
* Jie--chastity
* Yi--righteousness and friendship

Fourteen general characteristics of Chinese ethics

Arabian Ethics

Islam
1. Imam (Faith)
* Three ways to guide men by Allah (God)
2. Ihsan (Right Conduct)
3. Ibadat (Religious Duty)
* Repetition of the creed
* Prayer
* Almsgiving
* The fast
* Pilgrimage

Four basic characteristics of Arabian ethics