The Humanistic Philosophy of Gandhi

Book excerpt: The Humanistic Philosophy of Gandhi Gandhi’s great contribution to humanism consists in conceiving a religion that centres almost wholly around man and his life here in this world. Religion, according to him, should pervade all our activities, it cannot and ought not to be pursued in seclusion from one’s fellow beings and in separation from life’s other activities. The equivalent for Religion is “Dharma” in Sanskrit which means moral obligation and connotes individual’s integrity as well as social solidarity. Gandhi understood religion completely from that point of view. His Humanism is integral, discussing all the aspects of human life and has rationalist attitudes that differ from Romantic Humanism as well as Radical Humanism and yet synthesizes the two. Gandhian philosophy is not only simultaneously political, moral and religious, it is also traditional and modern, simple and complex. It embodies numerous Western influences to which Gandhi was exposed, but being rooted in ancient Indian culture and harnessing eternal and universal moral and religious principles, there is much in it that is not at all new. This is why Gandhi could say: “I have nothing new to teach the world. Truth and nonviolence are as old as the hills.” Gandhi is concerned even more with the spirit than with the form. If the spirit is consistent with truth and nonviolence, the truthful and nonviolent form will automatically result. Despite its anti-Westernism, many hold its outlook to be ultra-modern, in fact ahead of its time - even far ahead. Perhaps the philosophy is best seen as a harmonious blend of the traditional and modern. The multifaceted nature of Gandhi’s thought also can easily lead to the view that it is extremely complex. The book is intended to assist students and teachers who are interested in knowing about Gandhian Philosophy. Contents: • Gandhian Ideas in Philosophy • World and God • Swaraj • Relevance of Gandhi in the Political World Today • Gandhian Philosophy in the 21 Century • The Essence of Gandhi • Is Gandhi Relevant Today • Immortality of Gandhian Philosophy • Rediscovering the Mahatma’s Way • Gandhi’s Dialogue on Civilization