Lucknow: A unique feature of Indian philosophy is the concept of dharma—the ethical and moral law that guides human behaviour. Unlike animals, which are driven by instinct, humans are expected to follow dharma. This distinction between humans and animals is highlighted in the Hitopadeśa: आहारनिद्राभयमैथुनञ्चसामान्यमेतत्पशुभिर्नराणाम् | धर्मोहितेषाम्अधिकोविशेषःधर्मेणहीनापशुभिस्समानाः || ‘Food, sleep, fear, and mating, these are common between men and animals. It is dharma, the performance of one’s duties, which specially distinguishes men from animals. Those who are bereft of dharma are no different from animals.’ Thus, philosophical inquiry in India is…
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