Moral-Philosophical Values in Life of Pi: Pi’s Journey of Self-Discovery

Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to explore the moral-philosophical values in Yann Martel’s novel “Life of Pi: Pi’s journey towards life discovery. This aimed to analyze the moral-philosophical values revealed in the adversity of Pi and how do these moral-philosophical values shaped Pi’s life discovery. Despite the wide acclaim of Life of Pi, most literary studies center on survival and faith, with limited scholarly attention to its moral-philosophical underpinnings – particularly in the context of Pi’s spiritual transformation. In the study, the researchers employed a qualitative-descriptive design, employing close reading and thematic analysis using the deductive method to analyze the data. The Moral-Philosophical Theory of Martha Nussbaum (1947) was used as the main theory of the study which involves a comprehensive approach that takes into account human capabilities, emotions, well-being, and cultural diversity with the goal of promoting all individuals that can live flourishing lives. In terms of the moral-philosophical values, it was revealed that Pi encountered faith, compassion, determination, paying attention to what is close at hand, and intellectual virtue. Moreover, the analysis revealed that these values shaped Pi’s life discovery: in the silence of despair, hope is the loudest; consoling companion; strong willpower; radical acceptance; and odds yield to the power of resilience. The findings of this study have significant implications for literature education and life in general. In the context of literary analysis and teaching, the study emphasizes the importance of engaging with texts that challenge to reflect on ethical dilemmas, human resilience, and spiritual depth. It illustrates how literature can serve not only as a source of aesthetic pleasure but also as a vehicle for moral reflection and philosophical inquiry.