Encyclopaedia of Eminent Thinkers: The Political Thought of Radhakrishanan

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There are many Indian thinkers who have contributed a great deal to the political thought of the country. In these initial 10 volumes, an effort has been made to bring together keen players and their significant contributions to the political thought of India in an unbiased way. The authors included in this series are giants by themselves in the socio- political arena of the country. The set provides an insight and critical evaluation of the political thinkers.

A significant attempt has been made in this book to make a comprehensive study of the Political Thought of Radhakrishnan. To understand fully the implications of Radhakrishnan's ideas is a tremendous task. The author in this book makes an honest endeavour to present his view in a lucid manner. It studies in detail: Life and Work of Radhakrishnan, On Education, On Religion and Philosophy, On Hindu Dharma-1, On Hindu Dharma-II and On Politics.

This book is a treasure for all teachers, scholars and students of Political Science, Gandhian Thought, History, Sociology and Social Work; all university, college, legislative, judicial, public and other libraries in India and abroad and for all those interested in the study of Political Science. In nut- shell, this book will be of great importance to all.

K.S. Bharathi did his Master's Degree in Gandhian Thought, Peace-Science, Economics, and Political Science. He also did Postgraduate Diplomas in Politics, Public Administration, Population Dynamics, Gandhian Thought, Tourism, and Telugu. He has contributed some articles in learned journals. He is the author of Foundations of 'Gandhian Thought; Gandhi and Humanity, Socio- Religious Thoughts of Mahatma Gandhi; The Philosophy of Sarvodaya; The Satyagraha of Mahatma Gandhi; Gandhi and Nehru; Foundations of Ambedkar Thought; The Social Philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi; Gandhian Approach to Rural Development; The Relevance of Gandhi; Gandhi and Vinoba, The Philosophical Foundations of Gandhian Thought; The Political Thought of Gandhi; The Economic Thought of Gandhi: The Social Thought of Gandhi and The Quintessence and Chronology of Gandhi. At present, he is the Head of the Postgraduate Department of Gandhian Thought of Nagpur University. He is the Chairman of the Board of Studies of Gandhian Thought, member of the Academic Council, member of the Faculty of Social Sciences, member of the Board of Examination and member of the Doctoral Research Committee of Nagpur University.

The relation between politics and religion was not primarily in institutions and movements for social change, but centred largely in the inner spiritual regeneration of the individual resulting in compassionate action in society. It would appear that, according to Radhakrishnan, spiritually insightful individuals would be the main transforming agents in society. Modern Man without losing his social consciousness or conscience, must rediscover within himself a source of individual initiative sufficiently strong to cope with social despotisms. Religion is a dynamic process.

Mankind is a unit for Radhakrishnan, but religion itself is a primarily individual concem. This is partly an idea taken over from Western liberalism and often repeated today by members of our own secular elite. They say that politics is public while religion is private. For Radhakrishnan this Western liberal idea is confirmed by the Hindu tradition as it has developed.

The life and work of Radhakrishnan has been discussed in the first chapter. His views on Education has been covered in the second chapter. His views on Religion and Philosophy, Hindu Dharma-1, Hindu Dharma- II have been analysed in the next three chapters. His views on Politics has been discussed in the last chapter. Radhakrishnan's original writings on Hindu Dharma have been reproduced in fourth and fifth chapters. I would like to place on record my indebtedness to scholars and thinkers whose ideas enabled me to bring out this book.

I gratefully acknowledge the scholars from whose works I have drawn citations viz. Dr. G. Parthasarathi, Dr. S. Gopal, Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, Dr. Clarissa Rodrigues, Dr. Glyn Richards, and Dr. J.J. Lipner. So far as the writing of this book is concerned, whatever success I have achieved is due to relentless efforts and encouragement of Dr.

P.S.G. Kumar, Head, Department of Library and Information Science, Nagpur University. I sincerely express my gratitude to him. I express my warm thanks to Mr. P.N. Hardas, and Mr. S.T. Patale of Nagpur University.

Book's Contents and Sample Pages