Editing Ethical Frameworks from Indian Philosophies (section)

==== '''Rights vs. Duties: A Deontological Perspective''' ====
The discussion of moral behaviour often brings up the debate between rights and duties, prevalent in both legal literature and philosophical discourse. In many contemporary legal systems, there tends to be a greater emphasis on rights, seen as entitlements or freedoms granted to individuals, aligned with a teleological perspective that evaluates actions based on their outcomes or goals.

However, the Śāstras emphasize duties over rights, reflecting a deontological approach where morality is grounded in adherence to duties, rules, or obligations, rather than the consequences of actions. The Śāstras emphasize the concept of Dharma, broadly understood as righteousness or duty, seen as a moral obligation or duty that one must fulfil, irrespective of the consequences.

This focus on duty over rights encourages individuals to act based on their responsibilities and the impact of their actions on the greater good, fostering a sense of collective responsibility and ethical conduct essential for a harmonious society.

Adhering to one's duties ensures that one's rights are taken care of, an imperative way to ensure rights. A significant reference to performing one's duties is found in the Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 3, Verse 8:

"कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन।

मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते सङ्गोऽस्त्वकर्मणि॥"

"Karmaṇy-evādhikāras te mā phaleṣu kadācana

mā karma-phala-hetur bhūr mā te saṅgo 'stv akarmaṇi"

(You have a right to perform your prescribed duties, but you are not entitled to the fruits of your actions. Never consider yourself to be the cause of the results of your activities, nor be attached to not doing your duty.)

This verse emphasizes performing one's duty without attachment to outcomes, a cornerstone of karma yoga, the path of selfless action and duty.