LIFE ETHICS FROM THIRUKURAL 1

LIFE ETHICS FROM THIRUKURRAL 1:

"Kolil Poriyin Kunamilave Enkunaththaan
  Thaalai Vanangaath Thalai"

The unbent head in front of the God who possess eight attributes, is as useless like the senseless organs of the body.

Meaning:

The head which doesn't bend in front of the God who has eight attributes (i.e., God is perfect, pure spirit, immutable, eternal, Omnibenevolent, Omniscient, Omnipotent, and Omnipresent) is useless like the senseless organs of the body like, ears which cannot hear, eyes which cannot see, legs which cannot walk, etc.

INTRODUCTION ABOUT ETHICAL VALUES FROM THIRUKKURAL

ETHICAL VALUES FROM THIRUKKURAL

INTRODUCTION

Ø Like the great Vedic literature,  the  Rarnayana and the Mahabharata, Thirukkural by Thiruvaluvar is also an epic. 

Ø The word Thirukkural is a combination of two Tamil words “thiru” and “kural“. The word ‘Thiru‘ means beautiful or auspicious.  The word “kural‘ means short poem consisting of two lines, a couplet.  

Ø Thirukkural consists of 1,330 couplets (kural) and divided into three parts.  The first part deals with the ethical code of conduct (virtues: aroma) and the second part deals with political governance, wealth and other topics of social and material interest(pond).

Ø The third part deals with romance and love(inbam).   Thirukkural expounds various aspects of life also known as rarniimarai (Tamil Veda); poyyarnozhi (speech that does not become false) and dheiva two! (divine text).

THIRUKKURAL/Tiruvalluvar
Thirukkural written by Thiruvalluvar is one of the most notable literary and ethical treatises in the Indian languages.

There is a general consensus among the historians and literary authorities that Thirukkural was written around 2000 years ago.  Thirukkural is one of the few literary works that have survived over the past two thousand years and is regarded as relevant even today. 

Thirukkural aims at guiding human beings to lead a moral, ethical and useful life in this world. Its focus, unlike religious works, is “life on earth” and “life-affirmation”.  According to him , “One who lives an ideal life in this world will be ranked amongst the Gods in heaven”. 

In an ever-changing world, Thirukkural deals with certain basic, but permanent, aspects of life such as morality, ethics, politics, and romance. Thirukkural has been translated in more than 30 languages, and is the most translated book on ethics in the world next only to the Bible and the Koran.

The most important features of Thirukkural are:
1) it is secular in nature,
 2) it is universal and applicable to people living everywhere,
 3) it is everlasting and its messages transcend time.
This secular, universal and immortal nature of Thirukkural combined with its conciseness and literary charm has been the pride of Tamil people for the past many centuries.

·        The great sage Tiruvalluvar has presented his thoughts in verses of extreme beauty and delicacy. The combination of ideas, language and metre is unique. The verses presented in this article are all translations from the original Tamil.

·        Every translator, without exception, has admitted that it is not possible to capture the elegance of Tiruvalluvar’s beautiful style and rhythm in a translation.

·        It can, at best, be a pale reflection of the original work. His teachings have had a warm place in the hearts of the Tamil people for many generations, and have become part of their culture and life.

·        They might not have always followed the saint, but they have loved, cherished and revered him. The following are few of the tributes in honour of Thirukkural

FOUR SIMPLE WAYS TO BREATHE FRESH AIR IN A POLLUTED CITY

Four simple ways to breathe fresh air in a polluted city

Here's more that you can do to breathe cleaner air indoors and outdoors.

Every human inhales approximately ten thousand litres of air every day.

The lungs, due to their continuity with the outside environment, are exposed to a plethora of pollutants and infecting organisms.

Though regular exercise, healthy diet and avoidance of smoking are the most important measures for the general public to keep their lungs healthy, here's more that you can do to breathe fresh air indoors and outdoors:

1.     Prevention is better than cure:

Ø Regular immunisation of select populations such as children, elderly, asthmatics and immune-compromised is very important in prevention.

Ø In case of any respiratory symptom including cough, sputum, breathlessness, chest pain, please a respiratory physician to prevent serious events and hospitalisation.

Ø In addition to this, people with respiratory diseases in particular need to avoid going to place with high vehicular traffic especially in evening when the level of suspended particles is usually at its peak.

2.     Squeaky clean environment:

Ø As homes and offices are important places where in people spend their majority of time, keeping them clean is imperative to staying and breathing pure air.

Ø Staying ahead of dust and dust mites can dramatically improve the air quality you breathe on an everyday basis. Use a vacuum cleaner that utilises a HEPA-type filter so that as you are cleaning and not just spitting the dust back into the air.

Ø Be wary of unhealthy or irritating vapours may be released from chemicals in cleaning products. Always choose non-aerosol and non-toxic product and manufacturers' should follow directions while using, storing and disposing them.

Ø Also many animals leave allergens, such as dander, hair, feathers or skin, in the air. Therefore, keep them outdoors as often as possible and deep clean areas where pets are permitted.

3.     Let the fresh air in:

Ø Adequate cross ventilation is crucial at home, especially in the kitchen. Even the so called clean and smokeless fuels such as LPG can cause chronic respiratory diseases on prolonged exposure.

Ø Besides this, air conditioners and coolers should be regularly cleaned. Indoor plants can be important triggers for asthma, hence should be avoided by people suffering from asthma.

Ø Apart from this, dampness at home also harbours biological pollutants, including allergens such as mould, mildew, dust mites and cockroaches. If possible, eliminate moisture sources and install exhaust fans and dehumidifier.

Ø Another alternative is using a solution of chlorine bleach (one cup bleach to one gallon water) to remove mould and mildew.

Ø During summers, don't skip cleaning your air conditioners and its components such as water tray and filter at regular intervals as they harbour many biological allergens.

4.     Avoid passive smoking:

Ø Smoking inside closed spaces should be avoided in homes, offices and while travelling.

Ø In addition to the harm to the smokers, non-smokers who live with smokers also suffer the harmful effects of second-hand smoke. Second-hand smoke contains the same four thousand chemicals that are inhaled by a smoker.

Ø About 50 of these chemicals are associated with, or are known to cause cancer. Smoking in a closed-in space such as a car greatly increases the concentration of harmful chemicals produced by second-hand smoke.

HEALTH ETHICS:TURMERIC,TRIPHALA,TRIKATU

HEALTH ETHICS:

TURMERIC  

A bright yellow Indian cooking spice that promotes digestion and overall well-being…

Ø  Cleanses the blood and promotes healthy skin

Ø  Strengthens digestion and promotes healthy intestinal flora

Ø  Supports healthy blood glucose levels that are already within the normal range

Ø  Supports comfortable movement of the joints

·        Turmeric (Curcuma longa), a common Indian kitchen spice, has a broad range of beneficial properties.

·        It bolsters the immune system, purifies the blood and promotes clear, healthy skin.

·        Turmeric strengthens digestion and eliminates toxins from the GI tract.

·        It supports proper function of the pancreas, reduces kapha and promotes healthy blood glucose levels that are already within the normal range.

·        Turmeric soothes and nourishes the joint tissue and promotes comfortable movement.

·        An excellent herb for those with kapha constitutions or imbalances, turmeric supports proper function of the heart and helps clear the channels of the physical and subtle bodies.

Ayurvedic Energetics

• Rasa (taste): sweet, sour, pungent, bitter, astringent
• Virya (action): neutral
• Vipaka (post-digestive effect): sweet
• Doshas (constitutions): Balancing for vata, pitta, and kapha

Trikatu

               

Ø Trikatu translates as “three pungents”, and contains the herbs pippali, ginger, and black pepper.

Ø The powerful heating quality of this combination is traditionally used to enkindle the digestive fire and to burn fat and natural toxins.

Ø Trikatu supports a healthy metabolism, allowing nutrients to be properly digested and assimilated, thus aiding in weight management when accompanied by diet and exercise.

Ø It is also a rejuvenative for kapha, supporting healthy lungs and clear breathing.

Triphala
                         

 

Ø   Triphala is recommended and used more than any other Ayurvedic herbal formulation.

Ø Popular for its unique ability to gently cleanse and detoxify the system while simultaneously replenishing and nourishing it, this traditional formula supports the proper functions of the digestive, circulatory, respiratory and genitourinary systems.

Ø Translated as “three fruits”, it is composed of the dried fruits of amalaki, bibhitaki and haritaki. Containing five of the six tastes (all but salty)

Ø Triphala readily removes excess vata, pitta and kapha from the body, bringing balance and proper functioning to the system.

Ø  It is commonly taken as a daily supplement to help maintain balance of the doshas.

PRINCIPLES OF MEDICAL ETHICS

PRINCIPLES OF MEDICAL ETHICS:

The Four Principles are general guides that leave considerable room for judgement in specific cases.

Respect for autonomy: respecting the decision-making capacities of autonomous persons; enabling individuals to make reasoned informed choices.

Beneficence: this considers the balancing of benefits of treatment against the risks and costs; the healthcare professional should act in a way that benefits the patient

Non maleficence: avoiding the causation of harm; the healthcare professional should not harm the patient. All treatment involves some harm, even if minimal, but the harm should not be disproportionate to the benefits of treatment.

Justice: distributing benefits, risks and costs fairly; the notion that patients in similar positions should be treated in a similar manner.

To get some feel for how the Four Principles could be used by a clinical ethics committee consider the following hypothetical case study.

Mrs Y is 56 years old and has a learning disability. She is admitted to hospital with an ovarian cyst. The cyst is blocking her ureter and if left untreated will result in renal failure. Mrs Y would need an operation to remove the cyst. Mrs Y has indicated quite clearly that she does not want a needle inserted for the anaesthetic for the operation to remove the cyst- she is uncomfortable in a hospital setting and is frightened of needles.

The clinician is concerned that if the cyst is not removed Mrs Y will develop renal failure and require dialysis which would involve the regular use of needles and be very difficult to carry out given her fear of needles and discomfort with hospitals. The anaesthetist is concerned that if Mrs Y does not comply with the procedure then she would need to be physically restrained. Mrs Y’s niece visits her in the care home every other month. The niece is adamant that her aunt should receive treatment.

Should the surgeon perform the operation despite Mrs Y’s objections?

Consideration of the ethical issues using the Four Principles framework

Respect for autonomy:

The principle of respect for autonomy entails taking into account and giving consideration to the patient’s views on his/ her treatment. Autonomy is not an all or nothing concept. Mrs Y may not be fully autonomous (and not legally competent to refuse treatment) but this does not mean that ethically her views should not be considered and respected as far as possible. She has expressed her wishes clearly; she does not want a needle inserted for the anaesthetic. An autonomous decision does not have to be the ‘correct’ decision from an objective viewpoint otherwise individual needs and values would not be respected. However an autonomous decision is one that is informed – has Mrs Y been given enough information, in a manner that she can comprehend?

Beneficence:

The healthcare professional should act to benefit his/her patient. This principle may clash with the principle of respect for autonomy when the patient makes a decision that the healthcare professional does not think will benefit the patient – is not in her best interests. Here we should consider both the long term and short -term effects of overriding Mrs Y’s views. In the short - term Mrs Y will be frightened to have a needle inserted in her arm and to be in hospital – this may lead her to distrust healthcare professionals in the future and to be reluctant to seek medical help. In the long term there will be a benefit to Mrs Y in having her autonomy overridden on this occasion. Without treatment she will suffer serious and long-term health problems that would require greater medical intervention (ongoing dialysis) than the treatment required now (operation).

The benefits of acting beneficently would need to be weighed against the dis-benefits of failing to respect Mrs Y’s autonomy. (From a legal point of view the wishes of a competent patient cannot be overridden in his best interests).

Non maleficence:

Do no harm to the patient. Here, Mrs Y would be harmed by forcibly restraining her in order to insert the needle for anaesthesia. On the other hand if she is not treated now she will require ongoing dialysis a number of times per week. If she does not comply with dialysis it would be impractical to administer and may require restraint. Which course of action would result in the greatest harm? This assessment relies on assumptions: how successful is the operation likely to be; how likely will Mrs Y comply with dialysis?

Justice:

It would be relevant to consider cost effectiveness of the treatment options for Mrs Y, and the impact the decision about her treatment has on the availability of treatment for others (awaiting dialysis).