FRAGMENTS FROM THE ETHICAL TEACHINGS OF THE ANCIENT EAST: INDIA – IRAN – CHINA

Abstract

The ethical teachings of the Ancient East represent one of the leading and unique stages in the world history of philosophy. Ethics in the cultural and philosophical traditions of the peoples of the East was not considered as a separate discipline, say, as in the ancient Greek civilization, but rather as part of a comprehensive teaching on proper behavior, social harmony, spiritual development and public order. Ethics in India, Iran and China reflected not only religious and philosophical ideas, but was also implicitly connected with everyday life ritual, law, and politics. The article briefly outlines three key traditions: Indian (Vedas, Buddhism, Jainism). The views of these peoples on morality, virtue, honesty, justice, responsibility in the ancient period of history are studied.