Mīmāṃsā, Ethics, and Secular Moral Philosophy

Abstract

Mīmāṃsā, one of the six orthodox (āstika) schools of Indian philosophy, is renowned for its rigorous interpretation of the Veda and its systematic theory of ritual action. Beyond ritualism, however, it offers a rational and non-theistic vision of ethics grounded in dharma (duty). Emphasizing procedural morality and rule-governed action, it upholds the impersonal operation of moral law through karma, with the doctrine of apūrva—the unseen potency generated by correctly performed action—ensuring moral causality without divine intervention. Its hermeneutical methods for interpreting Vedic injunctions function as tools for structured moral reasoning, enabling the resolution of conflicts of duty and consistent ethical decision making. This paper explores the secular and universal dimensions of Mīmāṃsā ethics by placing it in dialogue with Kantian deontology, rule utilitarianism, and contemporary legal and professional ethics. It also illustrates the relevance of Mīmāṃsā to civic responsibility, environmental stewardship, and ethical practice in pluralistic societies. By framing Mīmāṃsā as a system of procedural morality, the study repositions classical Indian thought as a valuable resource for global ethical discourse.