Sensual Austerity and Moral Leadership: Cross-Cultural Perspectives from Plato, Confucius, and Gandhi on Building a Peaceful Society

Mahapatra, Debidatta Aurobinda; Grego, Richard

This book examines the link between sensual austerity and moral leadership—a topic largely neglected in contemporary academic scholarship and public policy—by exploring the comparative cross-cultural perspectives of Plato, Confucius, and Gandhi, on this theme. Despite the diverse cultural contexts that gave rise to their respective philosophical perspectives, they shared similar views on what might constitute a universal and perennial basis for individual moral development in any harmonious political order. They all agreed that sensual austerity is necessary for the realization of a flourishing society and political culture: recognizing that control over sensual desire is both a vehicle for individual moral self-cultivation and social-political progress. Sensual austerity is thus an essential aspect of any morally governed person, institution, state, or society. The book also argues that further examination of this theme may assist scholars and policymakers in developing more peaceful and harmonious national and global communities.

Details

Published by: Palgrave Macmillan

Publication Date: 2021-12-06

Format: Hardcover

ISBN-13: 9783030891503

DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-89151-0

Dimensions: 210cm x148cm

Pages: 182