Buddhist Ethics and the Moral Status of Humans and Animals

Abstract

This article examines the moral status of humans and other living beings through the perspectives of three philosophical traditions and analyzes how Buddhist ethics addresses these issues. It finds that each perspective has distinct views. Buddhist ethics advocates for the middle path, emphasizing inner value rather than external appearance, asserting that moral equality is not based on intelligence or capability but on relationships and ethical conduct. Additionally, the article explores how Buddhist ethics provides guidance on contemporary ethical challenges such as cloning and genetic modification, which pose significant moral dilemmas in the age of advanced science and technology. Buddhist ethics promotes balance, compassion, and sustainable coexistence with the environment rather than a human-centered worldview. Ultimately, this article highlights the relevance of Buddhist ethics as a vital moral framework for addressing the ethical challenges of the modern world.