The Dance of Dharma: On the Difficulty of Being Good

When deciding how to be good and act well, we often seek outside help. Many of our oldest and most frequently consulted sources of ethical guidance are our religious traditions. Just as one might consult a thoughtful friend, countless people seek direction from their own religious leaders, texts, and customs on all sorts of matters, including those related to business. To help shed light on what might constitute a “Hindu approach,” this case presents three dilemmas encountered by Gurcharan Das (former CEO of Procter & Gamble India) and pairs them with stories and teachings drawn from Hinduism. How does one manage an incompetent boss? What can an individual do to combat social inequity? Should the Ganges and Yamuna rivers be granted legal personhood? In the epic Mahabharata, questions of duty and decision-making are articulated through the Hindu concept of dharma, or the principle of pursuing righteous action while discharging one’s worldly duties. This case asks: Is dharma too subtle to be of any use? Or can it point us toward a theory of ethical action for a complex world?