Books and journals Case studies Expert Briefings Open Access
Advanced search

Search results

1 – 3 of 3
To view the access options for this content please click here
Book part
Publication date: 12 November 2018

The Unique Perspective on Intention (cetanā), Ethics, Agency, and the Self in Buddhism

Chand R. Sirimanne

This chapter investigates the central role that intention (cetanā) plays in Buddhist ethics, the unique perspective into the nature of the self and agency from a Theravāda…

HTML
PDF (604 KB)
EPUB (25 KB)

Abstract

This chapter investigates the central role that intention (cetanā) plays in Buddhist ethics, the unique perspective into the nature of the self and agency from a Theravāda Buddhist stance. Intention is paramount in determining every mental, verbal, and physical action as wholesome, unwholesome, or neutral in the Buddhist ethico-psychology. Buddhist ethics offer an inclusive, compassionate, and non-theistic perspective into the many moral dilemmas we face today as the mind and its processes, the underlying volition of a thought, context, and circumstances all determine the nature of an action. This is of relevance particularly in the digital age where agency is often imperceptible from societal, legal, and materialistic stances. The virtual world is perceived to be distinct from concrete reality and hence unethical actions considered to be less negative and destructive, and the perpetrators often difficult to trace or made to pay the consequences as societies and legal systems struggle to deal with this new reality. Buddhism has little to say about reforming society but on the other hand provides a refined investigative system of categorization of ethical and unethical actions through its theory of kamma (action) originating in a seed of positive or negative intention in the mind, and the consequences are said to be unavoidable although subject to manifold variations. Although the influence of Buddhism is still fragmented in the West with debates on its relevance, what to adopt, adapt, and discard, it can offer a fresh perspective on ethics, intention, agency, and the self.

Details

Applied Ethics in the Fractured State
Type: Book
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/S1529-209620180000020003
ISBN: 978-1-78769-600-6

Keywords

  • Buddhism
  • ethics
  • intention (cetanā)
  • agency
  • kamma

To view the access options for this content please click here
Book part
Publication date: 12 November 2018

Introduction: Applied Ethics in the Fractured State

Bligh Grant, Joseph Drew and Helen E. Christensen

HTML
PDF (661 KB)
EPUB (21 KB)

Abstract

Details

Applied Ethics in the Fractured State
Type: Book
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/S1529-209620180000020001
ISBN: 978-1-78769-600-6

To view the access options for this content please click here
Book part
Publication date: 12 November 2018

Prelims

HTML
PDF (1.3 MB)
EPUB (167 KB)

Abstract

Details

Applied Ethics in the Fractured State
Type: Book
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/S1529-209620180000020012
ISBN: 978-1-78769-600-6

Access
Only content I have access to
Only Open Access
Year
  • All dates (3)
Content type
  • Book part (3)
1 – 3 of 3
Emerald Publishing
  • Opens in new window
  • Opens in new window
  • Opens in new window
  • Opens in new window
© 2021 Emerald Publishing Limited

Services

  • Authors Opens in new window
  • Editors Opens in new window
  • Librarians Opens in new window
  • Researchers Opens in new window
  • Reviewers Opens in new window

About

  • About Emerald Opens in new window
  • Working for Emerald Opens in new window
  • Contact us Opens in new window
  • Publication sitemap

Policies and information

  • Privacy notice
  • Site policies
  • Modern Slavery Act Opens in new window
  • Chair of Trustees governance statement Opens in new window
  • COVID-19 policy Opens in new window
Manage cookies

We’re listening — tell us what you think

  • Something didn’t work…

    Report bugs here

  • All feedback is valuable

    Please share your general feedback

  • Member of Emerald Engage?

    You can join in the discussion by joining the community or logging in here.
    You can also find out more about Emerald Engage.

Join us on our journey

  • Platform update page

    Visit emeraldpublishing.com/platformupdate to discover the latest news and updates

  • Questions & More Information

    Answers to the most commonly asked questions here