Theoretical classification of Buddhism (Keown)

"Is it egotistic or altruistic? Is it relativistic or absolutistic? is it objective or subjective? Is it deontological or teleological? is it naturalistic or non-naturalistic?" - Jayatilleke


Response by Damien Keown (from book Buddhist Ethics: A Very Short Introduction 2005) pg. 30-31

"Buddhism is both egoistic and altruistic in the sense that it sees moral conduct as leading simultaneously to the good of oneself and others. It is relativistic in the sense that it includes scope for flexibility where appropriate, but not in the sense of holding that moral norms (as distinct customs of etiquette) are merely a function of local cultural and historical circumstances. It is absolutistic in holding that certain things are always immoral (greed and hatred, for instance) and that certain things are always good (such as compassion, and non-violence). On the quetion of objectivity, we saw that in the previous chapter that as an aspect of Dharma, Buddhist ethical teachers are thought to be objectivily true and in accordance with the nature of things. If Dharma exists in this sense as an objective moral law it suggests that through the use of reason individuals can ensure that the choices they make are objectively valid - that is to say that they reach the same conclusions as would an enlightened reasoner. We can add that in maintaing that the truth about right and wrong is objective and can be known through the proper use of intellectual faculties such as insight (prajñá), Buddhist would appear to be a cognitive ethical philosphy. This means it hold taht moral truth can be discerned through reason, and that moral judgements are not merely subjective or a matter of personal taste, like a preference for red wine over white wine. Finally, we can conclude that Buddhist ethics is naturalistic (naturalist theories of ethics hold that an account can be given of moral conduct at the level of natural science). Buddhism holds there is a close connection between ethics and psychology, which is seen in the way moral conduct leads gradually to a transformation in the nature of the individual as little by little the virtuous person evolves into a Buddha."