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06 Introduction

The document explores the philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi, emphasizing his principles of truth and non-violence and their relevance in modern society. It discusses Gandhi's views on social equality, economic organization, and the integration of religion and politics, advocating for a decentralized democracy and village self-sufficiency. The thesis concludes by affirming that Gandhi's teachings remain significant today, rooted in the values of truth and non-violence.

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Amarjeet
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10 views6 pages

06 Introduction

The document explores the philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi, emphasizing his principles of truth and non-violence and their relevance in modern society. It discusses Gandhi's views on social equality, economic organization, and the integration of religion and politics, advocating for a decentralized democracy and village self-sufficiency. The thesis concludes by affirming that Gandhi's teachings remain significant today, rooted in the values of truth and non-violence.

Uploaded by

Amarjeet
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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INTRODUCTION

Mahatma Gandhi is the father of the nation and the maker of the
modern independent republic. He is held in high esteem and venerated as the
great soul. His popular sayings that "My life is my message" and "My life is a
series of experiments with truth' have literally come to be true. These
statements establish his scientific temper and his adherence to the moral
values.

My main object is to study the philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi.


especially in the modern context and examine its relevance to the modern
tunes Gandhi was not an academician and he did not make any systematic
presentation of his philosophy. In order to present his philosophy in an
organized and logically cogent manner, his ideas have to be culled from his
various speeches and writings. Gandhi laid more stress on the basic values of
the human life especially on truth and non-violence. As a defender of the
human rights, he made people more conscious of their duties to set a moral
order in the society and also to make the people learn that the true source of
right is duty only.

Gandhi did not like people to remain as mere silent spectators in a


helpless manner He arouse their indomitable moral will and inherent
potentialities to fight against the supposed wrong or injustice in a non-violent
manner He envisaged a casteless. classless and egalitarian society against the
existing acquisitive and exploitative society.

Andhra University, Visakhapatnam


vi
Gandhi was not a system builder, but with great understanding and
insight, he could bring about the scheme of his concepts in an appropriate and
relevant manner so as to suit the modern requirements His concepts
underwent evolutionary and revolutionary changes. There is need for the
social scientists to combine their scientific methods and theories with the
Gandhian values to achieve better results

The modern technology poses great threat and fear than hope and
happiness. The significance of man is lost and his life has lost its meaning and
purpose except to reduce it to a mere mechanical drudgery. The heavy
industrialization is vulnerable to several evils like gambling and results in
problems such as unemployment. His real happiness does not lie in his
enjoyment of sensual pleasures and multiplication of desires but in leading a
simple and ennobled life with moral consciousness and high thinking.

Gandhi formulated a pattern and a structure basing on his series of


experiments with truth in the religio-moral, socio-economic and political
spheres by keeping the individuality and dignity of the individual in view
without losing sight of truth and non-violence.

Gandhi rejected the earlier formulated political theory that 'end justifies
the means' as it tends to be opportunistic and expedient and the unscrupulous
and immoral methods have been followed. He introduced a new moral code
by making means as significant as end and also by establishing their
convertibility to avoid the immoral means and violence to justify the end

Andhra University, Visakhapatnam


V l l

Gandhi stood for the economic equality. His theory of trusteeship bears
the testament of his commitment to usher in an egalitarian society by reducing
the economic disparities. He made a break through in the social structure by
working for the removal of the social evils such as untouchability and the
creation of equal opportunities for the unprivileged for their social upliftment.

As regards his notion of village autonomy, and village development, he


worked out for the village self sufficiency. He found majority of the people
living in the villages. He wanted to reduce the disparities between the urban
and the rural to avoid the people's craze to settle in the cities.

Gandhi subscribed to the view that power corrupts and absolute power
corrupts absolutely. On the other hand the centralized power structure has to
adopt the method of violence to defend its power and implement its policies
forcibly. In the modern times politics has become a great preoccupation of the
people. There has been a ruthless and unhealthy competition for power in
every department of life. So Gandhi brought religion and politics together to
purify politics. He stood for the decentralized democracy and panchayat raj
system where in man is considered supreme and his role is significant.

Gandhi was opposed to the heavy industrialization, deforestation and


depletion of natural resources, pollution and ecological imbalance These
modern trends have badly effected the health of mankind He advocated small
scale industries and technology which is intermediary with a human face that
stands for the greatest good of all He stood against terrorism He stated that
people have to rely on non-violent resistance to achieve their just cause

Andhra University, Visakhapatnam


^ni

The Gandhian concept of satyagraha is a method of conflict resolution


based on non-violent resistance directed against injustice, corruption and
unjust laws of the society and state. This is reckoned with great significance
because of its relevance in the modern times. He stated that the lasting and
enduring world peace could be established only through non-violence.
However there may be some military illusions that peace could be brought
about by relying on the theories such as the doctrine of deterrence but it can
not establish world peace but promotes mutual insecurity and terror He held
that non-violence is the only answer and alternative in the modern times to
establish the world peace.

Mahatma Gandhi made a multi-dimensional study reflecting on moral,


religious socio-economic and political spheres of the human life Gandhi was
influenced by a number of great religious personalities right from nurse
Rambha to that of the eminent writers and thinkers like Leo Tolstoy and John
Ruskin. His open mind helped him to accept any good idea from any source
and adopt them in his life.

The first chapter deals with the sources and influences that have shaped
his thought right from his parents to that of the great religious personalities
and eminent thinkers of the east and the west. The influence of the Bhagavad
Gita, the sermon on the Mount, the Civil Disobedinece of 1 lenry Thoreau, the
social equality of John Ruskin, the influence of Leo Tolstoy have been dealt in
this chapter.

Andhra University, Visakhapatnam


ix

The second chapter presents the moral and religious aspects The
religious Philosophy of Gandhi was chractenzed mainly by truth and non-
violence. The aspects such as his intrepretation of religion, the relationship of
religion and morality, the cardinal virtues viz., non-violence, truthfulness, non-
stealing, non-possession and celibacy, the concept of universal religion, the
purity of means and ends, the significance of truth in religion, the role of
religion in purifying politics, have been dealt in this chapter.

In the third chapter 'Social Problems and Gandhian Solutions" the


social aspects such as caste, the evil of untouchability, his concept of
egalitarian society, his progressive and evolutionary views on interdining and
intercaste marriages, the status of women and their problems, their role in the
society, the evil aspects of alcoholism, the significance of prohibition, value
oriented education, the significance and relevance of basic education, have
been dealt.

The fourth chapter presents the economic views of Gandhi and his
concept of economic reorganization, the theory of trusteeship, economic
equality, the evils of industrialization, the revival or the small scale and rural
industries for rural development and co-operative forming of the villages.

The fifth chapter is on the Gandhian approach to the contemporary


political issues. The aspects such as welfare state, democracy, the significance
of minority in the democracy, his notion of political power, non-violence and
democracy, decentralization, panchayat raj and its significance, the three tier
system of decentralized administration, duties and rights, significance of

Andhra University, Visakhapatnam


X

freedom, satyagraha and its application, non-co-operation and civil


disobedience have been dealt

In the sixth chapter 'Global issues and Gandhian Solutions", the


contemporary issues such as environment its sustainabihty and challenges, the
evil effects of modem civilization, the problem of terrorism and violence, non-
violence and world peace, the military illusions, the doctrine of deterrence
have been discussed.

The last chapter presents the summary dealing with all chapters of the
thesis. This is also the concluding chapter. The careful examination of all the
aspects of the Gandhian Philosophy covered in this thesis in the context of
modem developments establish relevance to the modem times as the entire
gamut of his philosophy is laid firmly on two eternal values - Truth and Non-
violence.

Andhra University, Visakhapatnam

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