The Market of Morality: Ethical Dilemmas in the Capitalist World of Aravind Adiga

Abstract

This paper explores the ethical dilemmas within the capitalist framework depicted in Aravind Adiga’s novels, focusing on The White Tiger, Last Man in Tower, and Selection Day. It critically examines the tension between morality and materialism, analyzing how Adiga’s protagonists navigate corrupt socio-economic structures to achieve success. By drawing on neoliberal critiques, the research highlights the commodification of ethics in modern India and how financial incentives often override traditional moral considerations. Employing a multidisciplinary approach, the study integrates literary criticism, economic theory, and moral philosophy to establish a new conceptual framework: “Ethical Fluidity under Capitalist Pressures.” This framework explores how individuals adjust their moral principles in response to economic incentives and systemic corruption. Additionally, the study introduces the concept of “Moral Debt” to demonstrate how accumulated ethical compromises shape future decision-making. By positioning Adiga’s works within broader discourses on capitalism, morality, and social justice, this paper offers fresh insights into the socio-economic conditions shaping individual ethics in contemporary Indian fiction. The analysis underscores how Adiga critiques neo-liberalism’s impact on personal integrity, revealing that morality within a capitalist system is often a negotiable commodity rather than an absolute principle. Ultimately, this research argues that Adiga’s narratives serve as cautionary tales, compelling readers to reconsider the ethical costs of economic ambition in an increasingly commodified world.