ABSTRACT

This book develops a critical understanding of Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy and practice in the context of contemporary challenges and engages with some of his key work and ideas. It highlights the relevance of Gandhi’s legacy in the quest towards peace-building, equity and global justice.

The volume examines diverse facets of Gandhi’s holistic view of human life – social, economic and political – for the creation of a just society. Bringing together expert analyses and reflections, the chapters here emphasise the philosophical and practical urgency of Gandhi's thought and action. They explore the significance of his concepts of truth and nonviolence to address moral, spiritual and ethical issues, growing intolerance, conflict and violence, poverty and hunger, and environmental crisis for the present world.

The volume serves as a platform for constructive dialogue for academics, researchers, policymakers and students to re-imagine Gandhi and his moral and political principles. It will be of great interest to those in philosophy, political studies, Gandhi studies, history, cultural studies, peace studies and sociology.

chapter 1|23 pages

Introduction

Understanding Gandhi – Why Gandhi matters today
Edited BySanjeev Kumar

part I|43 pages

Gandhian philosophy

chapter 2|17 pages

Philosophy and practice

A Gandhi-informed approach

chapter 4|13 pages

The scrutinised life

Gandhi and his interlocutors

part II|42 pages

Gandhi and Swaraj

chapter 5|12 pages

Swaraj in Gandhian perspective

Some reflections

chapter 6|15 pages

Gandhian Swaraj

A theory of self-knowledge

chapter 7|13 pages

The different connotations of Swaraj

Envisioning the postcolonial nation in Mahatma Gandhi, Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray and Rabindranath Tagore

part III|58 pages

Gandhi and social justice

chapter 8|16 pages

Modernity, colonial injustice and individual responsibility

A study of Gandhi and Ambedkar

chapter 9|15 pages

The Ambedkar–Gandhi debate (1931–1956)

Alternative approaches to memory and identity

chapter 10|13 pages

Beyond ‘the Doctor and the Saint’ controversy

Reassessing Gandhi as a social crusader

part IV|62 pages

Post-Gandhian legacy

chapter 13|16 pages

Waiting for the waves

India Against Corruption movement and the Aam Aadmi Party – post-Gandhian legacies

chapter 14|16 pages

Gandhi’s dialogical truth force

Applying Satyagraha models of practical rational inquiry to the crises of ecology, global governance and technology

chapter 15|15 pages

Gandhi

An apostolic architect of humanism