Bhakti Ethics, Emotions, and Love in Gau?iya Vai??ava Metaethics

This excellent study exemplifies both skillful scholarship and the author's depth of experience with the Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava tradition. It thoroughly refutes the outmoded notion that practitioners within a tradition cannot view it from a sufficiently critical stance to do serious, rigorous reflection on its ideas. With this work, Cogen Bohanec advances our understanding of the Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava worldview. --Jeffery D. Long, Elizabethtown College In Bhakti Ethics, Emotions, and Love in Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava Metaethics, Cogen Bohanec offers an intriguing exploration into the rich philosophical, ethical and theological tapestry of Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇavism. Through meticulous research and a clear passion for the subject, Bohanec unpacks the profound ethical implications of bhakti--devotional love towards the divine--as the foundation for ethical living and spiritual enlightenment. His ground-breaking work illuminates the intricate relationship between emotional states and ethical behavior, arguing convincingly that love, in its purest form, is both the means and the end of ethical transformation. Bohanec's scholarship stands out for its depth and clarity, bridging the gap between ancient wisdom and contemporary ethical thought. By examining the role of emotions in the development of moral character within the Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava framework, he not only enriches our understanding of this spiritual tradition but also contributes significantly to the broader field of religious ethics. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the intersections of religion, ethics, and the transformative power of love. It challenges readers to rethink the foundations of ethical living through the lens of bhakti, offering a path towards a love-based ethic. --Gopal Gupta, Joe Dunham Distinguished Professorship in Ethics, Aurora University