[17]: Integrating Virtue ( Buddha’s Dhamma ) and Situational Ethics (Kshaatra Dharma)

Virtue ethics and situational ethics are two different ethical approaches that focus on different aspects of moral decision-making. Virtue ethics emphasizes the cultivation of good character traits, while situational ethics emphasizes the context and circumstances in which an action is taken.

But it is possible to integrate the two approaches in most cases of practical life.

Overall, while it may be challenging to fully reconcile virtue ethics and situational ethics, there are ways to integrate the two approaches to provide a more nuanced understanding of ethical decision-making.

There are two ways.

1. Virtue Ethics as a Framework for Evaluating Situational Ethics Decisions:

One way to integrate virtue ethics and situational ethics is to use virtue ethics as a framework for evaluating the decisions made using situational ethics. In this approach, the focus is on whether the decisions reflect the virtues that are important for virtuous character, such as courage, wisdom, and compassion. For example, if a person makes a decision based on situational ethics that leads to harm to others, it can be evaluated based on whether the decision reflects the virtues that are important for a virtuous character, such as honesty, empathy, and respect for others.

2. Situational Ethics as a Tool for Applying Virtue Ethics Principles:

Another way to integrate virtue ethics and situational ethics is to use situational ethics as a tool for applying virtue ethics principles in specific situations. In this approach, the focus is on using situational ethics to determine how to apply the virtues in particular contexts. For example, if a person is faced with a difficult decision that requires them to balance different virtues, situational ethics can be used to determine which virtues should take priority in that specific situation.

In both approaches, the focus is on finding a way to balance the importance of developing good character traits with the need to make decisions that are appropriate for specific situations. While these approaches may not completely reconcile virtue ethics and situational ethics in all possible situations, they can provide a more nuanced understanding of ethical decision-making.

While it can seem contradictory to some poorly informed persons, it is possible to reconcile violence with Buddhist teachings, which generally emphasize non-violence and compassion for all living beings. However, it is important to note that Buddhist ethics are not absolute and are often context-dependent.

In some situations, a Buddhist practitioner may believe that violence is necessary to prevent greater harm from occurring. For example, if a person is being attacked and there is no other way to stop the attacker, a Buddhist practitioner may use violence to defend themselves or others.

If we use the second approach of integrating virtue ethics and situational ethics, we can view this type of situation as an application of the virtue of compassion. In this case, the Buddhist practitioner may be using violence as a means of protecting themselves or others from harm, which can be seen as an expression of compassion.

However, it is important to note that this approach should not be used to justify or condone violence in all situations. Rather, it should be viewed as a way of understanding how Buddhist principles can be applied in complex and difficult situations. Ultimately, any use of violence should be evaluated carefully and with a deep understanding of Buddhist teachings and ethics.