International Journal of Social Science Research (IJSSR)

Consequentialist Approach in Buddhist Ethics

The aim of Buddhist philosophy is liberation of soul. Liberation is perception, peace and self-less drive. Liberation is depended on karmas of that particular person. It is shaped by a person’s particular activity towards moral effort and as a result of this he can achieve liberation. Action, force of will, freedom of will and moral effort towards actions are the key concepts in Buddhist theory. Buddha emphasises on the law (Dhamma) which is depended on his first principle ‘Theory of Dependent Origination or the ‘Theory of Pratityasamutpada’. It is a theory of causality which believes that every effect has a cause. In this context he introduces the wheel of Law (Dhammachakra) which is considered to be irresistible. He believes that the life of man is predetermined; all the consequences he faces are the effect of his previous deeds. It leads his theory to be consequential. This paper is going to discuss whether his theory can regarded be as consequential.