The Primacy of the Ethical in Kautilya\'s Arthasastra

Contents: Foreword/G. Das. 1. Introduction. 2. The individual. 3. The state. 4. The ruler. 5. End and the means. 6. Conclusion.

"Kautilya\'s Arthasastra of 4 Century B.C. is a classic. It is a gold mine of wisdom not only concerning statecraft, but concerning various fields like principles of trade and commerce, quality control of commodities, professions, wage system, role of women, institute of prostitution, religion and superstition, education, environment etc.

There have been studies of this treatise from the political, economic, historical, administrative and management perspectives. The present study is from the ethical perspective and seeks to show that this perspective is basic and primary. Politics, administration, religion, education, environment, social institutions and professions are organised and sustained by ethics." (jacket)