Kant and Bankim's Philosophy on Ethics and Religion: A Comparative Analysis/ নৈতিকতা ও ধর্ম প্রসঙ্গে কান্ট এবং বঙ্কিমের দর্শন : একটি তুলনামূলক বিশ্লেষণ

Abstract

The question of ethics and religion has remained central to philosophical inquiry across cultures and epochs. Immanuel Kant, one of the most influential philosophers of the Enlightenment era, developed a rigorous system of moral philosophy that emphasized autonomy, duty, and rationality. His ethical thought, grounded in the notion of the categorical imperative, holds that moral actions must be governed by principles that can be universally applied, irrespective of personal desires or religious doctrines. Kant’s works—Critique of Pure Reason, Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals, Critique of Practical Reason, and Religion within the Limits of Reason Alone—articulate a vision of morality rooted in human reason, where religion, though significant, must align with rational moral principles.

           In contrast, Bankimchandra Chattopadhyay, a towering figure in 19th-century Bengal, approached the relationship between ethics and religion from a culturally distinct standpoint. Initially influenced by Western utilitarianism, Bankim's early thought leaned toward the idea that moral value is determined by the usefulness or consequences of actions. However, his later writings reflect a marked departure from this view, embracing a deeper integration of Indian religious philosophy, particularly drawn from Hindu scriptures, epics, and Puranic literature. His seminal work Dharma tatwa reveals a mature ethical framework wherein Dharma—often loosely translated as religion or duty—emerges as a guiding principle rooted in spiritual and cultural consciousness rather than abstract universal reason alone.

           This comparative analysis highlights the divergent foundations of Kant’s and Bankimchandra’s moral philosophies. Kant builds from a rational, deontological perspective where the individual’s moral will is sovereign, while Bankimchandra evolves toward a culturally embedded moral vision that harmonizes reason, faith, and tradition. Yet, both philosophers converge on the recognition that morality cannot be fully separated from human dignity and the inner moral sense, even though they arrive at this insight from different civilizational and intellectual trajectories.

           By juxtaposing Kant’s rationalist ethics with Bankimchandra’s culturally rooted moral vision, this paper invites a broader reflection on the universality and particularity of moral thought. It seeks to explore how ethical systems are shaped not only by logical consistency but also by the spiritual, historical, and cultural contexts from which they emerge. The dialogue between Kant and Bankim thus opens new pathways for a more inclusive and cross-cultural moral philosophy.