Manava Dharma Shastra or Law of
Manu written by Sage Manu (circa500BC), was one of the first known proponent of
Ethics and Morality that governs not only an individual but it also
comprehensively covers governance itself. Sage Manu prescribes 10 essential
rules for the observance of dharma (path of righteousness ): Patience (dhriti),
forgiveness (kshama), piety or self- control (dama), honesty (asteya),
sanctity (shauch), control of senses (indraiya-nigrah), reason (dhi),
knowledge or learning (vidya), truthfulness (satya) and absence
of anger (krodha).
Manu further writes, "Non-violence,
truth, non-coveting, purity of body and mind, control of senses are the essence
of dharma". Therefore dharmic laws govern not only the individual but all
in society.
Socrates (469-399BC) on the other hand says “A system of morality which is based on relative emotional value is a mere illusion, a thoroughly vulgar conception which has nothing sound in it and nothing true.”
Socrates ethical wisdom stems
from the principles of Platonism (teleological character), hedonism (happiness),
cynicism (action) and stoicism (EQ and self- knowledge). Socrates believed the
best way for people to live was to focus on self-development rather than the
pursuit of material wealth.
So the concept of morality it
seems is as old as civilization itself.
What have we learned?…..Not much….Man continuously make mistake, and
they justify that they have the right to
make mistakes and it is the moral duty
of the society to allow for such mistakes, and
eventually making the society to be apologist for this ill.
No comments:
Post a Comment