Highest Good in the Nicomachean Ethics and the Bhagavad Gita

Book Description

Two of humanity's most profound philosophical works converge in this illuminating comparative study that explores the fundamental question of how we should live. Roopen Majithia brings together Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics and the ancient Indian text, the Bhagavad Gita, examining how each tradition approaches ethical action and the pursuit of life's ultimate purpose.

This scholarly yet accessible exploration reveals fascinating parallels between Greek and Indian philosophical thought. Both texts grapple with understanding human behavior through three fundamental driving forces, and both recognize that moral decision-making emerges from our cultural background, education, and ingrained habits. Each tradition acknowledges that our capacity for ethical choice develops within specific social, political, and economic contexts that shape our understanding of what constitutes the highest good.

Where these philosophical giants diverge proves equally compelling. The Gita emphasizes objective knowledge and transcendence of individual subjectivity, while Aristotle's Ethics centers on the knowing subject and his foundational belief in substance as reality's primary component. Majithia demonstrates how these different approaches lead to distinct methods for determining right action.

By examining how each text relates practical living to contemplative wisdom, this comparative study deepens our appreciation for both philosophical traditions. Readers seeking to understand diverse approaches to ethical living and spiritual fulfillment will discover fresh insights into these cornerstone works that continue to guide seekers across cultures and centuries.