Tradition and Truth- Writings in Indian and Western Philosophy

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I feel honoured as well as happy to write these lines for this book, an edited collection of the papers by late Professor Sankari Prasad Banerjee, a distinguished philosopher and teacher. As Acharya B.N. Seal Professor of Mental and Moral Science of Calcutta University he earned fame for his scholarship and endeared himself to the students and colleagues for a long time. He taught at several other Universities with admirable success.

I had the privilege of enjoying his friendship for a long period spanning over five decades. His areas of interest in philosophy have been very wide. This will be evident from his published works, including this book.

Besides his academic scholarship, Professor Banerjee distinguished himself as Registrar of Calcutta University and Vice-Chancellor of Burdwan University. Also he left his mark on some other academic administrative fields.

As human being Sankari Prasad Banerjee was of a rare type-very kind and sympathetic, loving and loveable. He will be remembered long by all the people who came in touch with him and the readers of his academic works.

The Indian Council of Philosophical Research [ICPR] deserves our thanks and gratitude for the initiative its authority took in bringing out this collection of essays by the late Professor Banerjee.

I am sure this book will be received well by scholars as well as the reading public.

The Foreword by Professor J.N. Mohanty says it all. Yet, one feels driven by love, memories, and intellectual debt to write about Sankari Prasad Banerjee: the philosopher, the teacher, the caring person, the loving father. Introducing the ouevre of this versatile academic is an arduous task for a historian, made almost impossible by the ascent of emotions one feels for a parent who is no more. I limit myself therefore to a sketch of the person that Banerjee was-his life and his work. It is in this way that I hope to offer an insight into the issues and concerns which inform this volume and marked Banerjee's vocation. Here is a critical engagement with the philosopher; but also a personal homage to my father.

The chapters in this volume range from articles published in academic journals and anthologies through to unpublished pieces presented as keynote addresses and written for seminars. They cover a period of over thirty years from the end of the 1960s to the beginning of the twenty first century.

The essays explore diverse subjects: higher positivism and meanings of metaphysics; classical conceptions of democracy and notions of the secular state; Advaita Vedanta and the philosophy of Rabindranath and Radhakrishnan; reflections on the dimensions of self- expression and contemplations on ageing and death. At the same time, whether a scholarly exposition of higher positivism or a philosopher's musings on human relations, these various writings are shored up by an intense humanity, a mature humanness. They acutely articulate the sense and sensibility of a compassionate intellectual; one proclaiming that philosophy should not remain distant from real life; philosophers need to bring their critical thought to bear on actual social conditions. This message emerges as a sensitive appeal in the myriad writings revealing Banerjee's conviction both in the necessity of social relations as well as their rewarding nature. As J.N. Mohanty indicates in the Foreword, Banerjee dreamt of an ideal society in which free, unhindered social communication would allow human self- expression its highest degree of creativity.

The only child of Nirmala Rani and Mahendra Nath Banerjee, Sankari Prasad grew up in Baduria, a village about 60 kilometres from Calcutta. After distinguishing himself as an outstanding student at school, Banerjee moved to the city and joined Ripon (now Surendranath) College for the Intermediate course in the Arts. He stood 8th in order of merit in the final examinations held in 1948. This was followed by a B.A. with honours in Philosophy and a Masters in Philosophy, both from the prestigious Scottish Church College, Calcutta. Banerjee's meritorious performance got him the Ramtanu Lahiri Gold Medal and the Bankimchandra Silver Medal (for securing highest marks in Philosophy and Bengali respectively) in the B.A. examination and second position in the first class in the MA. examination. The four years at Scottish Church College also brought out the best of Banerjee's imaginative and creative potential. Beginning with caring teachers who trained him in the art of handling knives and forks at formal dinners along with lessons in Western and Indian Philosophy, Banerjee struck life-long friendships and found a range of admirers and compatriots who more than made-up for a lonely village boy's craving for company. This left a lasting imprint in Banerjee's instinctive trust and belief in human beings. Sankari Prasad bagged all the vacation essay prizes and awards for best performance in subsidiary subjects including Scriptures and the Sarada Charan Book Prize. More importantly, he efficiently ran the "mess" (catering arrangements) of the Ogilvie Hostel and represented the College in volley ball.