A Comparative Philosophical Study into Stately Ethics and Good Governance: Lessons from Statecraft in Thirukkural |Chapter 8 | New Ideas Concerning Arts and Social Studies Vol. 4

 

The objective of this study is to critically examine the political philosophy of the Thirukkural, a text of global significance, focusing on seventy chapters that explore royalty, ministers, and the state. While the Thirukkural is globally revered for its ethical insights, its sophisticated vision of governance remains underrepresented in political discourse. To critically analyse this vision, the study introduces the GEAR framework—Governance, Ethics, Authority, and Rightness—as an original model for interpreting statecraft through a moral lens. Adopting a cross-cultural comparative approach, the research situates Thiruvalluvar’s principles alongside Saiva Siddhanta, Gandhian ideals, Confucian ethics, and Western classical thought, particularly Plato. This interdisciplinary approach, central to the analysis, is captured in the GLIA model—Governance (public control), Leadership (upright authority), Integrity (ethical foundation), and Accountability (public responsibility). This model not only underscores the enduring relevance of Thiruvalluvar’s ideals but also demonstrates the breadth and depth of the study's research, appealing to a wide range of scholars. The Thirukkural emerges not only as a timeless ethical text but also as a visionary treatise on inclusive, virtuous governance, seamlessly integrating Aram (virtue), Porul (material order), and just authority. As the first study to apply the GEAR framework, this study offers fresh insights into classical Tamil political thought and its profound relevance to contemporary democratic values, transcending the boundaries of religion, race, and caste in today’s pluralistic societies.

 

 

Author(s) Details

Uthayan Thurairajah
OU Elite Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

 

 

Please see the book here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/nicass/v4/6013

Thiruvalluvar's Conception of Education and Wisdom: A Tamil Philosophical Perspective with Contemporary Implications |Chapter 3 | New Ideas Concerning Arts and Social Studies Vol. 4

 

This paper explores Thiruvalluvar’s conception of education and wisdom as articulated in the Thirukkural, positioning it within a global philosophical dialogue alongside Socrates, Confucius, Immanuel Kant, and John Dewey. Thiruvalluvar views education not as the mere acquisition of formal knowledge but as a transformative ethical journey grounded in wisdom, integrity, self-awareness, and social responsibility. To critically evaluate this vision, the study introduces the MESS framework—Moral Philosophy, Ethical Wisdom, Secular Education, and Social Responsibility—offering a novel lens for philosophical and educational analysis. By applying this model, the research highlights the universal and inclusive relevance of Thiruvalluvar’s ideals across cultures, transcending barriers of religion, race, or caste. Anchored in classical Tamil thought, the paper conducts a cross-cultural comparative analysis that reveals a shared human aspiration for morally grounded education. In challenging the dominance of technocratic, outcome-driven pedagogies, the study advocates for a holistic educational paradigm that integrates ethical and social development. As the first to apply the MESS method to both classical and modern philosophies, this research makes a timely contribution to contemporary discourse on value-based education, moral leadership, and inclusive curriculum design in pluralistic societies.

 

Author(s) Details

Uthayan Thurairajah

OU Elite Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

 

Please see the book here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/nicass/v4/5857