A calculus of consequences and compassion : a comparative analysis of Mahay¿ívÖna Buddhist ethics and classical utilitarian ethics

This comparative thesis explores the idea of the moral evaluation of human conduct. The question to be answered is: Can the seemingly different Western philosophical perspective of Act Utilitarianism and the non-Western perspective of Mah¿ívÖy¿ívÖna Buddhist philosophy share a complementary system of calculus as a moral evaluation tool? The thesis answers this question affirmatively by addressing the following key points: ‚Äö Critically analysing points of similarity and difference ‚Äö To show that they are practical and can be applied in day to day life for anyone. ‚Äö To show that the morality of the person actually determines the calculus.