According to Santideva's NON-SELF Argument, as Presented in Chapter 10

question 64

Multiple Choice

According to Santideva's NON-SELF argument, as presented in Chapter 10, why should you be just as concerned for others' suffering as you are for your own?

• A) Since suffering requires a self and Buddhism teaches that there is no self, there is no such thing as suffering and thus no reason to be concerned about it.
• B) Because the Buddhist doctrine that there is no self implies that no suffering is "your" suffering, and so all suffering should be of equal concern to you.
• C) According to the law of karma, the quality of your next life depends on your behavior in this life, and so the most effective way to reduce your suffering in the long run is to concern yourself with others' suffering.
• D) Because attaching greater importance to your own suffering amounts to ethical egoism.

---

Definitions:

A Priori Guidelines

Principles or rules that are derived through logic or reason, rather than from empirical observation.

Ethical Judgments

Decisions or conclusions about the morality of actions, behaviors, or situations, based on a set of moral principles or a moral philosophy.

Dependable

Reliable or trustworthy; capable of being counted on to fulfill promises, duties, or expectations.

Utilitarianism

An ethical theory that posits the best action is the one that maximizes utility, often defined as maximizing happiness and reducing suffering.