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Sin, Crime, Karma and modern economics theory
There were many interesting viewpoints expressed by others on Sin, Crime
and Karma. Let me present my two cents worth!
Individual behavior is influenced by personal beliefs and values.
Personal behavior is influenced by the environment that includes family,
friends, teachers, religion and government. Those are exposed to "ideal"
environment have ideal values. Since, environment differs by location
and time, behavior and values also differ. Religion has strong authority
on personal beliefs and values.
When our actions do not agree with our personal convictions, we resent
our actions. Such resentments indicate that a "sin" is committed. A
"Sin" is a personal judgement of one's actions! No other person will be
able to judge others] actions! When I recognize that I have committed
a sin, I am awarding punishment to my self! External punishments for
sins are neither necessary nor feasible! On some occasions, we feel
"good" about our action. On some other occasions, we feel "bad" about our
action. Feeling "good" about an action is the "reward" and "bad" about
an action is the "punishment."
Several references to "good," "bad," "sin," "reward," and "punishment"
can be found in the Upanishads. The brihadaranyaka Upanishad states that
the actions of the human beings decide the outcome. The doer of good
becomes good. The doer of evil becomes evil. One becomes virtuous by
virtuous action and sinful by sinful action. As is his desire so is his
will, as his will so is the deed, he does, and whatever deed he does,
that he will reap. Ultimately, being A Brahman, he goes to A Brahman!
Society has its own values and it is influenced by the political and
religious leaders of the community. The society persuades the government
to promulgate appropriate laws to protect those values. When a law is
violated, a crime is committed and punishments are awarded by the courts.
Punishment to a crime is decided externally by the Police and/or by the
courts. Punishments by external judgements have encountered numerous
failures! Some criminals have escaped punishments and some innocent
persons have accorded punishments!
Sin is a violation of one or more of personal values and is recognized
only by the sinner. A crime on the other hand is a violation of a law,
it may or may not be acknowledged by either by the sinner or by the
judge! Acceptance of a sin is the punishment and acceptance of a crime
doesn't necessarily lead to punishment.
"Karma Theory" in Hindu Religion has lots of resemblance to modern
economic theory. According to Karma theory, "good" and "bad" can be
accumulated and a net balance can be maintained. If the net balance is
positive (more "good" and less "bad") then the person is rewarded with
good deeds. If the net balance becomes negative, the person is punished
with bad deeds. Karma theory assumes more than one life, and an
individual can choose to make sacrifices in the present life to gain
better life during next birth! When a person lives a sinful life, then
he is likely to get an inferior life during the next birth. The economic
theory rationalizes the personal "saving" and "borrowing" behavior of the
public. Those who save have to make sacrifices during the current time
in order to live comfortably during another time. Those who borrow money
also accept the outcome from such actions!
It is quite reasonable for some one to ask the validity of karma theory.
Who keeps the account of 'good' and 'bad?' There are several
explanations for those inter generational accounts and transactions! Let
me try to explain my viewpoint on karma theory. I believe that there are
no external judges! Time is a human concept and in "pure religion",
there is no time! Once we include time, we all experience birth and
death at every instant! Our behavior can't be predicted for the next
moment. We do remember what we did yesterday. We do recognize that
whatever we experience today is influenced by what we did before! Karma
theory implies that what we do today has strong influence on what is
going to happen tomorrow! If we clean our house today it will have a
cleaner look than otherwise. Also a dirty house today will be also
dirtier tomorrow! Karma theory, like the modern economic theory,
rationalizes the human behavior in a nutshell.
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** Have a Nice Day! **
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"Life isn't what you THINK, it's what you PURSUE!" Swami Chinmayananda
"Whatever you do may look TRIVIAL, but it is CRUCIAL that you do it!"
Mahatma Gandhi.
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| Ram V. Chandran || email: chandra2%ers.bitnet@vtbit.cc.vt.edu |
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