Abstract

Considering the prevalence of issues of suffering in our modern world, such as the increasing occurrence of conflicts and terrorist activity in recent years, one cannot deny that we live in a time that is characterized by much strife. While much recent scholarship in the field of comparative ethics has focused on interfaith dialogue as a means for collaborative engagement with these issues of suffering, this thesis aims to go beyond constructing a dialogue between different faith traditions by contributing a piece of research that informs the possibility of an ethic that transcends the barriers of religious identity which is centered on action. By isolating certain Buddhist concepts, particularly interdependence, and observing how they function through both the rhetorical discourse of a tradition and actual engagement, I hope to explore the relationship between how elements are utilized in dialogue and then translated into action. In doing this, I hope to tease out the limitations and further benefits of using the concept of interdependence as a basis for individuals and groups with distinct religious identities to work collaboratively with one another in actively engaging suffering in our world.

Advisor

Crothers, Lisa

Department

Religious Studies

Disciplines

Ethics in Religion

Publication Date

2015

Degree Granted

Bachelor of Arts

Document Type

Senior Independent Study Thesis

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© Copyright 2015 Demitra Nicole Hart