Gandhian Philosophy

Abstract

Gandhi is not interested in abstract theoretical philosophical formulations, but rather philosophy as engaged practice. He focuses on living a philosophy of satya (truth) and ahimsa (nonviolence). Gandhi’s primary concern is with developing moral character and practice and with ethics as first philosophy. This is different not only from the history of Western philosophy, but also from traditional Indian philosophy. Gandhi's greatest contribution is his moral and philosophical focus on ahimsa in greatly broadening and deepening our understanding of nonviolence and its integral relations with truth. Usually unappreciated is Gandhi's invaluable analysis of the distinction and integral relations between relative truth and Absolute Truth that challenges philosophical alternatives of essentialism and absolute foundationalism versus modern unlimited relativism. Gandhi's philosophy challenges us with a qualitatively different philosophical view of freedom and human development, critiquing dominant modern models and offering an alternative philosophical paradigm and approach.