Buddhism and Utilitarianism

Abstract

I now wish to place the scheme of Buddhist ethics described thus far in the context of Western ethical theory and see if a useful analogue may be found to further our understanding of the Buddhist ethical system. There is a need for caution in the field of religious ethics in imposing the classifications of one system on another, as David Snellgrove has pointed out (1956). Michael Pye also warns that ‘there is admittedly a problem about the correlation of Mahāyānist ethics and western approaches to ethics’ (1978: 14). However, while there is undoubtedly a need for caution we must at some point make a tentative venture into the field. Future research will be considerably assisted if we are able to elucidate a general pattern, scheme or framework within which Buddhist ethics may be located. In this chapter and the next we consider two Western models which bear at least a prima facie relationship to Buddhism, namely Utilitarianism and Aristotelianism. In this chapter I discuss the resemblances between Buddhism and Utilitarianism, and in the next chapter the resemblances between Buddhism and Aristotelian ethics. The present chapter is arranged as follows: first (1) I will summarise the main features of utilitarian ethical theory and then (2) assess its similarities with Buddhist ethics.

I teach only suffering and the end of suffering.

The Buddha

The ultimate end … is an existence exempt as far as possible from pain … secured to all mankind … and … to the whole sentient creation.

J. S. Mill

Woe to those who creep through the serpent-windings of Utilitarianism.

Immanuel Kant