Mahatma Gandhi
Cynthia C.
Mohandas Gandhi was born in the western part of British-ruled India on October 2, 1869. He was sent to England to study law, but became interested in the philosophy of nonviolence. Gandhi became involved in efforts to end discrimination against the Indian minority in South Africa. Mahatama, meaning "great soul" was a name given to him when he returned to India from South Africa. He also wrote the Declaration of Independence of India. Gandhi was later assassinated by a Hindu nationalist in Delhi on January 30, 1948.
Gandhi's philosophy theory hold that "the ideals of truth and nonviolence, which underpin the whole philosophy, are relevant to all humankind"(Murphy, 1) In one of Gandhi's journals, " Harijan", he states directly: "In my search after Truth I have discarded many ideas and learnt many news things"(Gandhi, 1). Gandhi is very persistent especially when it comes to influencing people his views. He believes that all religions are equal. The theory is inspired from Hind Swaraj or Indian Home Rule written by Gandhi.
Gandhian socialism is based on theories of Gandhi. Key features of Gandhi's Socialism are the demoralization of political and economical power, an incredulous approach towards technology and large scale industrialization stressing on self-employment and self-reliance. Gandhi's Socialism also states that people should understand the "basis of need rather than greed". He also believes that people should respect mother nature by creating an economic system that would preserve mother nature rather than destroying it by replacing it with our own creations such as buildings.
Mohandas Gandhi was born in the western part of British-ruled India on October 2, 1869. He was sent to England to study law, but became interested in the philosophy of nonviolence. Gandhi became involved in efforts to end discrimination against the Indian minority in South Africa. Mahatama, meaning "great soul" was a name given to him when he returned to India from South Africa. He also wrote the Declaration of Independence of India. Gandhi was later assassinated by a Hindu nationalist in Delhi on January 30, 1948.
Gandhi's philosophy theory hold that "the ideals of truth and nonviolence, which underpin the whole philosophy, are relevant to all humankind"(Murphy, 1) In one of Gandhi's journals, " Harijan", he states directly: "In my search after Truth I have discarded many ideas and learnt many news things"(Gandhi, 1). Gandhi is very persistent especially when it comes to influencing people his views. He believes that all religions are equal. The theory is inspired from Hind Swaraj or Indian Home Rule written by Gandhi.
Gandhian socialism is based on theories of Gandhi. Key features of Gandhi's Socialism are the demoralization of political and economical power, an incredulous approach towards technology and large scale industrialization stressing on self-employment and self-reliance. Gandhi's Socialism also states that people should understand the "basis of need rather than greed". He also believes that people should respect mother nature by creating an economic system that would preserve mother nature rather than destroying it by replacing it with our own creations such as buildings.
Chelsea A.
The broad outlook of Mahatma Gandhi made it possible to study comparative religion. His spiritual and open mind made way for others to find peace and fight hostility. Gandhi refers to 'God' as 'Truth' and this has a very important meaning. The word 'Truth' has a much wider meaning that the term 'God'. There may be non-believers in God. But no one can deny 'truth' even atheists must accept the power of 'Truth'. Gandhi's description about 'God' points out that it is something there, either spiritually of physically, which can be accepted by all men in the way he likes. The following statement of Gandhi regarding God would make it clear. "To me God is Truth and Love. God is Ethics and Morality. God is Fearlessness. God is essence of life and light and yet He is above and beyond all these. God is conscience"(Gandhi, 1).
His ethics also took a huge toll on India. Gandhi saw it like this: If a person hits you, and you hit that person back, the same person would hit you back again, creating an endless chain of violence. "By practicing non-violence, Gandhi believed that the hearts of even the cruelest and most violent individuals could be won"(Prabhu, 1). If everyone practiced it, it would also be a never-ending chain of peace and non-violence. Even if the violent individuals could not be moved directly, it would move other parties, who would apply pressure on the violent individuals, and force them to eventually change their oppressive actions.
The broad outlook of Mahatma Gandhi made it possible to study comparative religion. His spiritual and open mind made way for others to find peace and fight hostility. Gandhi refers to 'God' as 'Truth' and this has a very important meaning. The word 'Truth' has a much wider meaning that the term 'God'. There may be non-believers in God. But no one can deny 'truth' even atheists must accept the power of 'Truth'. Gandhi's description about 'God' points out that it is something there, either spiritually of physically, which can be accepted by all men in the way he likes. The following statement of Gandhi regarding God would make it clear. "To me God is Truth and Love. God is Ethics and Morality. God is Fearlessness. God is essence of life and light and yet He is above and beyond all these. God is conscience"(Gandhi, 1).
His ethics also took a huge toll on India. Gandhi saw it like this: If a person hits you, and you hit that person back, the same person would hit you back again, creating an endless chain of violence. "By practicing non-violence, Gandhi believed that the hearts of even the cruelest and most violent individuals could be won"(Prabhu, 1). If everyone practiced it, it would also be a never-ending chain of peace and non-violence. Even if the violent individuals could not be moved directly, it would move other parties, who would apply pressure on the violent individuals, and force them to eventually change their oppressive actions.