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🤔intro to philosophy review

key term - Karma

Citation:

Definition

Karma is a fundamental concept in Indian philosophy, referring to the principle of cause and effect where one's actions, thoughts, and intentions determine their future circumstances and experiences. It is the universal law of moral causation that governs the cycle of rebirth and reincarnation.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

  1. Karma is the fundamental principle that every action, whether physical, mental, or verbal, has a corresponding effect that will be experienced in this life or a future life.
  2. The law of karma suggests that good deeds and positive intentions will result in favorable outcomes, while negative actions and harmful thoughts will lead to undesirable consequences.
  3. Karma is believed to be the driving force behind the cycle of reincarnation, where individuals are reborn into new lives based on the accumulated merit or demerit of their previous actions.
  4. The concept of karma is closely tied to the Hindu and Buddhist belief in the existence of the soul (atman) and its journey through successive lives until it attains spiritual liberation (moksha).
  5. The practice of dharma, or righteous living, is seen as a way to accumulate positive karma and break free from the cycle of rebirth, ultimately leading to the attainment of moksha.

Review Questions

  • Explain the principle of karma and its role in the cycle of rebirth and reincarnation.
    • The principle of karma states that every action, thought, and intention has a corresponding effect that will be experienced in this life or a future life. According to this belief, the cycle of rebirth and reincarnation is driven by the accumulation of karma, where individuals are reborn into new lives based on the merit or demerit of their previous actions. Good deeds and positive intentions are believed to result in favorable outcomes, while negative actions and harmful thoughts lead to undesirable consequences. This cycle of birth, death, and rebirth continues until an individual achieves spiritual liberation (moksha) through the release from the bondage of karma.
  • Describe the relationship between karma, dharma, and moksha in the context of classical Indian philosophy.
    • In classical Indian philosophy, the concept of karma is closely tied to the principles of dharma and moksha. Dharma refers to the moral and ethical code of righteous conduct that individuals are expected to follow in order to fulfill their duties and obligations in life. By practicing dharma and accumulating positive karma through good deeds and intentions, individuals are believed to progress towards the ultimate goal of moksha, or spiritual liberation from the cycle of rebirth and reincarnation. Moksha represents the release from the bondage of karma, where the individual achieves a state of enlightenment and freedom from the continuous cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. The interplay between karma, dharma, and moksha is central to the understanding of the Indian philosophical tradition and its beliefs about the nature of existence and the path to spiritual enlightenment.
  • Analyze the significance of the concept of karma in shaping the worldview and ethical framework of classical Indian philosophy.
    • The concept of karma is a fundamental pillar of classical Indian philosophy, as it shapes the worldview and ethical framework of Hindu and Buddhist traditions. The belief that every action, thought, and intention has a corresponding effect that will be experienced in this life or a future life has profound implications for how individuals approach their moral and ethical responsibilities. The principle of karma encourages individuals to cultivate positive qualities, such as compassion, honesty, and self-discipline, as these are believed to lead to favorable outcomes in the cycle of rebirth. Conversely, negative actions and harmful thoughts are seen as detrimental, as they will result in undesirable consequences. This emphasis on moral causation and the interconnectedness of all actions is a central tenet that guides the ethical and spiritual practices within classical Indian philosophy. The concept of karma also underpins the belief in the cycle of reincarnation and the ultimate goal of moksha, or spiritual liberation, which shapes the worldview and the path to enlightenment in these philosophical traditions.