ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of the book. This book offers an exposition and interpretation of Gandhi but also uses his ideas to illuminate some issues in contemporary legal, social, moral and political philosophy. It examines some of Gandhi's ideas on love, non-violence, necessary evil and the battle against evil, rights and duties, religious reform and toleration, morality and public ethic, coercion, civil disobedience and non-cooperation. One of the main themes running through Gandhi's life and work was the battle against evil. Non-violence, love in the sense of compassion, truth and self-sacrifice, purity of heart and humility, detachment and equanimity, non-cooperation and civil disobedience were some of his weapons. The battle was against the evil, not the evil-doer. Gandhi himself was aware that Satyagraha does not always work wonders in the short run. His movement involved non-resistance at the physical level but it did involve the use of 'soul force'.
