GOODNESS JUDGMENT IN THERAVADA BUDDHISM AND UPANISHAD PHILOSOPHY: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

Abstract

This article aims to analyze the concept of goodness and its contents with comparison between Buddhist philosophy and Upanishadic philosophy because both are similar and different. The proposed criteria focus on the goodness judgment by comparing on 2 issues; 1) Main criteria and 2) Associated criteria. My assumption in this case is that if metaphysical standpoint of view of them is different, then epistemology and axiology must be different. Buddhist philosophy is based on non-self while Upanishad philosophy is based on a Self which are very distinctive on ontological base, so this academic paper presents a compared analysis with the hypothesis that when metaphysical concepts with different base will generate the different epistemology and axiology too. This analyzing the similarities and differences will help clear comprehension and eliminate confusion between Theravada Buddhist philosophy which focuses on Anattā and Upanishad philosophy as atheism focusing on the Ātman.