By considering how buddhist thought has developed over the centuries, this vsi considers how contemporary dilemmas can be faced from a buddhist perspective. His chapter on the precepts and school of buddhism is a very clear summary of major divergences in thinking. The ten pillars of buddhism provides a fascinating insight for anyone interested in leading an ethical or buddhist life. A very short introduction introduces the reader to the teachings of the damien keown, author emeritus professor of buddhist ethics, goldsmiths. Keown is clear that the buddhist tradition is remarkably diverse and that his paper presents only one buddhist perspective, one based on his interpretation of relevant passages from the pali canon. Pdf buddhist ethics a very short introduction download. Introduces the teachings of the buddha and the integration of buddhism into daily life. Damien keown provides a lively, informative response to these frequently asked questions about buddhism.
Dec 17, 2015 damien keown is emeritus professor of buddhist ethics at goldsmiths college, london. A very short introduction introduces the reader to the teachings of the buddha and to the workings of buddhism in daily life. Pdf buddhism a very short introduction download full. A very short introduction by damien keown, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. Remains one of the most accessible introductions to buddhism. A very short introduction illustrates how buddhism might approach a range of fascinating dilemmas confronting the modern world, ethical moral issues ranging from abortion and suicide to cloning. Contemporary buddhist ethics routledge critical studies in. A very short introduction by damien keown, 9780199663835, download free ebooks, download free pdf epub ebook. It looks at the distinctive features of buddhism, examining who the buddha was and what his teachings were. Keown earned a ba in religious studies from the university of lancaster in 1977 and a dphil from the faculty of oriental studies at oxford university in 1986. View enhanced pdf access article on wiley online library html view download pdf for offline viewing.
Buddhism and bioethics discusses contemporary issues in medical ethics from a buddhist perspective. Oct 19, 2011 1 damien keown is professor emeritis of buddhist ethics at goldsmiths university of london the only professor of buddhist ethics anywhere in the world. He is founding coeditor of the journal of buddhist ethics and a fellow of the royal asiatic society. A few scholars have proposed tentative theoretical models adapted from western typologies in an attempt to classify buddhist ethics but so far none commands universal assent. Damien keown, the nature of buddhist ethics philpapers. This very short introduction introduces the reader to the teachings of the buddha and to damien keowns book provides a lively, informative response to these. This move elides the enormous diversity, heterogeneity, and contestation in moral views and approaches that emerged across buddhisms 2,500 years of. Buddhist ethics and western moral philosophy, william edelglass. A very short introduction an excellent and highly readable. Buddhism, brain death, and organ transplantation damien keown abstract this article raises concerns about the degree to which potential donors are aware that their layman. Contemporary buddhist ethics routledge critical studies.
As he sheds light into how buddhist thought developed over the centuries, keown also highlights how contemporary dilemmas can be faced from a buddhist perspective. Damien keown is reader in buddhism in the department of historical and cultural studies at goldsmiths college, university of london. By considering how buddhist thought has developed over the centuries, keown considers how contemporary dilemmas can be faced from a. It makes reference to foundational concepts such as dharma and karma, the most important precepts, and the key virtues buddhists seek to cultivate. For complex cultural and historical reasons, ethics has not received as much attention in traditional buddhist thought as it has in the west, and publications on the subject are few and far between. The nature of buddhist ethics damien keown palgrave. He is founding coeditor of the journal of buddhist ethics and has authored and edited several books on buddhist ethics including buddhism and bioethics, buddhism and abortion, and buddhism and human rights co. Keown, buddhism, brain death, and organ transplantation 6 in some traditions, the moment of death is defined according. The latter half of the twentieth century witnessed a growing interest in buddhism, and it continues to capture the imagination of many in the west who see it as either an alternative or a supplement to. A response to damien keowns suicide, assisted suicide and. The importance of ethics in the buddhas teachings is widely acknowledged, but the pursuit of ethical ideals has up to now been widely held to be secondary to the attainment of knowledge. Because buddhism came to us via 60s hippies, it has a reputation as being an anythinggoes, leftwing religion, which isnt really the case. Contemporary buddhist ethics routledge critical studies in buddhism.
Keown earned a ba in religious studies from the university of lancaster in 1977 and a dphil from the faculty of oriental studies at oxford university in 1986 keowns most important books include the nature of buddhist ethics. A very short introduction damien keown very short introductions. The latter half of the twentieth century witnessed a growing interest in buddhism, and it continues to capture the imagination of many in the west who see it as either an alternative or a supplement to their own religious beliefs. Looks at the distinctive features of buddhism and how it.
Contemporary buddhist ethics routledge critical studies in buddhism keown, damien on. Damien keown nature of buddhist ethics world of digitals. Feb 28, 20 damien keown provides a lively, informative response to these frequently asked questions about buddhism. The second section is more analytical, and examines buddhist moral teachings from a western perspective drawing on the concepts, categories, and terminology familiar to students of western ethics. Drawing on the aristotelian tradition of ethics the author argues against this intellectualization of buddhism and in favour of a new understanding of the. The issues examined include abortion, embryo research and euthanasia. Damien keown born 1951 is a prominent bioethicist and authority on buddhist bioethics. View enhanced pdf access article on wiley online library html view. Damien keown, dictionary of buddhism oup, 2003 damien keown, buddhism and bioethics palgrave, 2001 damien keown, the nature of buddhist ethics palgrave, 2001 damien keown ed. Damien keown buddhism and bioethics world of digitals. Looks at the distinctive features of buddhism and how it differs from other religions. The nature of buddhist ethics damien keown palgrave macmillan. Download buddhist ethics a very short introduction pdf. Damien keown is emeritus professor of buddhist ethics at goldsmiths college, london.
The latter half of the twentieth century witnessed a growing interest in buddhism, and it continues to capture the imagination of many in the. A handy and easily readable introduction to buddhist ethics. Questions for consideration and discussion in what ways is the buddhist worldview similar to or different from the traditional western one, and how do both. The biggest fact ive taken away from damien keown is that buddhism is a lot more conservative than we realise in the west. Emeritus professor, university of london goldsmiths. However, there is a real danger that those readers who are perhaps not broadly read in buddhism could be misled to think that the position presented. For example, buddhist attitudes about sex are pretty much the same as christian which gets villified for being an prudish, sex. A very short introduction damien keown the latter half of the twentieth century witnessed a growing interest in buddhism, and it continues to capture the imagination of many in the west who see it as either an alternative or a supplement to their own religious beliefs.
Pdf buddhist ethics and western moral philosophy researchgate. Drawing on ancient and modern sources, the book shows how buddhist ethical principles can be applied consistently to a range of bioethical problems. A very short introduction, illustrates how buddhism might approach a range of fascinating moral issues. Damien keown s buddhism is a decent short introduction to buddhism, although karen armstrongs introductory book is stronger in my opinion. Questions for consideration and discussion in what ways is the buddhist worldview similar to or different from the traditional western one, and how do. He currently teaches in the department of history at the university of london. The latter half of the twentieth century witnessed a growing interest in buddhism, and it continues to capture the imagination of many in the west who see it as either an alternative. Cummiskey chapter iv buddhist ethics and virtue ethics.
A very short introduction, by damien keown, oxford university press, oxford, 2005, isbn 0 19 515994 2, pp. Contemporary buddhist ethics 1st edition damien keown. Hes the founding coeditor of the journal of buddhist ethics, a member of the editorial board of the journal of contemporary buddhism, a member of the pali text society, and the author of many books including the nature of buddhist. Damien keown looks at the distinctive features of buddhism, examining who the buddha was and what his teachings were. By considering how buddhist thought has developed over the centuries, keown considers how contemporary dilemmas can be faced from a buddhist.
Damien keown buddhist ethics a very short introduction 1. Damien keons very short introduction to buddhism is a wonderful book written in a wellstructured way, to cover all the historic, geographic, as well as the religious, philosophical, ethical and social aspects of the buddhist religionphilosophy. Pdf buddhism a very short introduction download full pdf. The importance of ethics in the buddhas teachings is widely acknowledged. A virtue ethics approach 1 damien keown professor of buddhist ethics goldsmiths college university of london notes length 6865 words font.
1238 696 1274 216 1130 305 160 166 1000 146 1468 148 1032 922 564 748 1202 1150 1039 633 570 1072 223 309 892 346 1480 1338 653 267 367 462 1457 49