How to Sanctify Politics with Ethics? The Teachings of Thirukkural
12 Pages Posted: 5 Aug 2016
Date Written: August 4, 2016
Abstract
The relation between the ruler and the ruled seems always sensitive right from ancient time. The emergence of structured state and government together with the growth of democratic values shows several predicaments on the part of both the ruler and the ruled. From monarchy to republic, philosophy and practice remain vast breach. Political treatises since their beginning never got back in emphasizing on ethics. In fact, ethics sustains politics in all its forms and practices. One can view an array of unethical mode of discourses and corresponding practices from ancient to current times. However, the ethics in absolute or relative terms always assumes significance. For practical purpose, specific suggestions and guidelines are necessary as well. Precisely, the text of Thirukkural endeavours to chart out systematically with ethics and overt smartness. It reflects all the aspects rationality, spirituality and ordered human life and polity. All the aspects are ultimately linked with the higher truth of ethics. When politics and governance give up their goodness, it is necessary to look into the ancient sayings that the Thirukkural profoundly charted out.
Keywords: couplet, ethics, moral, political thought
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