Chapter 5 · Topic 5.2 · Prelims + Mains2 of 4
Contributions of Thinkers: Buddha, Mahavira and Western thinkers
Key points
- Buddha (2020): Four Noble Truths and Eight-fold Path; middle path, mindfulness, compassion, non-violence.
- Mahavira (2025): Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Brahmacharya, Aparigraha; Anekantavada (many viewpoints).
- Western thinkers: Socrates (examined life), Plato (justice), Aristotle (golden mean), Kant (duty, ends not means), Bentham and Mill (greatest happiness).
Prelims box: facts and traps
- Noble Truths, Eight-fold Path; golden mean.
Buddha and Mahavira
Like old maps that still show the right roads: the land has changed, but the directions still work.
Buddha (Mains 2020): which teachings are most relevant today?
- The Vice-President’s Buddha Purnima message (PIB, 22 May 2024) says Buddha’s teachings offer a roadmap for a life rooted in ethical conduct, mental discipline, and wisdom.
- The Four Noble Truths and Eight-fold Path guide us towards compassion and non-violence.
- Relevance today: mindfulness for stress, the middle path against extremes, compassion in welfare delivery, non-violence in conflict.
What teachings of Buddha are most relevant today and why? Discuss.
Mahavira (Mains 2025): his major teachings and their relevance.
- The President’s Mahavir Jayanti message (PIB, 30 Mar 2026) lists five principles: Ahimsa (non-violence), Satya (truth), Asteya (non-stealing), Brahmacharya (self-control) and Aparigraha (non-possessiveness).
- The Prime Minister’s 2024 address (PIB, 21 Apr 2024) explains Anekantavada as understanding multiple aspects of a subject, being open to seeing and accepting others’ perspectives.
What are the major teachings of Mahavir? Explain their relevance in the contemporary world.
| Mahavira principle | Today’s relevance |
|---|---|
| Ahimsa | non-violence, animal welfare |
| Satya | honest public life |
| Asteya | no corruption or theft of public money |
| Brahmacharya | self-control, moderation |
| Aparigraha | less consumption, sustainability |
| Anekantavada | tolerance of other views, dialogue |
Principles: PIB 2026, 2024; relevance: Battle IAS.
What UPSC asks: Noble Truths, Eight-fold Path; Mahavira’s five principles. Next likely angle: Anekantavada.
Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Kant and the utilitarians
| Thinker | Key idea | Use in answers |
|---|---|---|
| Socrates | question everything; knowledge leads to virtue | self-examination, reasoned ethics |
| Plato | justice as each part doing its role; philosopher-rulers | wise, trained leaders |
| Aristotle | virtue as a golden mean between extremes; habits build character | balanced decisions, character |
| Kant | duty; treat people as ends, never merely as means | dignity, rights |
| Bentham, Mill | right action gives the greatest happiness to the greatest number | policy cost-benefit |
Teaching table. The golden mean means the right point between too much and too little: courage sits between cowardice and recklessness.
Socrates (Mains 2020): “A system of morality which is based on relative emotional values is a mere illusion.” Meaning: morality must rest on reason and shared principles, not shifting feelings.
“A system of morality which is based on relative emotional values is a mere illusion, a thoroughly vulgar conception which has nothing sound in it and nothing true.” – Socrates.
Kant appears twice.
- Mains 2024: “In law, a man is guilty when he violates the rights of others. In ethics, he is guilty if he only thinks of doing so.”
- Mains 2014: human beings should always be treated as ends in themselves and never as merely means. Implications for the techno-economic society: gig workers, data privacy, AI surveillance.
“In law, a man is guilty when he violates the rights of others. In ethics, he is guilty if he only thinks of doing so.” – Immanuel Kant
“Human beings should always be treated as ‘ends’ in themselves and never as merely ‘means’.” Explain the meaning and significance of this statement, giving its implications in the modern techno-economic society.
Utilitarian reasoning in Lincoln (Mains 2018): “There are few things wholly evil or wholly good, and especially in governmental policy our best judgment of the preponderance between them is continually demanded.” Example: a dam displaces some families but gives water to millions. The duty is to weigh honestly and compensate fairly.
“The true rule, in determining to embrace, or reject any thing, is not whether it has any evil in it; but whether it has more evil than good. There are few things wholly evil or wholly good. Almost every thing, especially of governmental policy, is an inseparable compound of the two; so that our best judgment of the preponderance between them is continually demanded.” — Abraham Lincoln
What UPSC asks: golden mean; ends, not means. Next likely angle: greatest happiness.
Mains box: analysis and answer points
- 2014/2024 Kant; 2020 Socrates; 2018 Lincoln on weighing good and evil in policy.
Practice
Write an answer
In 150 words, explain the significance of Contributions of Thinkers with one recent example.
Flashcards (7)
Buddha's doctrines per PIB 2024?
Four Noble Truths and Eight-fold Path.
Mahavira's five principles?
Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Brahmacharya, Aparigraha.
Anekantavada means?
Seeing multiple aspects; accepting others' views.
Aristotle's virtue?
Golden mean between extremes.
Kant on people?
Ends in themselves, never merely means.
Utilitarian test?
Greatest happiness of the greatest number.
Kant: when guilty in ethics?
If he only thinks of violating rights.
Next topic · 5.3 →Contributions of Thinkers: Modern thinkers and quotationsSyllabus: GS-IV · Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world.