The Philosopher's Stone: Radhakrishnan's Legacy

 The Philosopher's Stone: Radhakrishnan's Legacy

Hello. This blog is the part of thinking activity task of paper no.202,Unit 4: Three Prose Writers, The New’ Poets and Conclusion: Indian Writing in English. In this blog the discriptive answer will be addrsed based on the works of Radhakrishanan.

Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, a distinguished scholar and statesman, was born on September 5, 1888, in Tiruttani, India. He made significant contributions to academia and public service throughout his life. Radhakrishnan served as a professor of philosophy at Mysore University from 1918 to 1921 and at Calcutta University from 1921 to 1931 and again from 1937 to 1941. He also held the position of vice chancellor at Andhra University from 1931 to 1936.

Additionaly, His academic journey continued in England, where he served as professor of Eastern religions and ethics at the University of Oxford from 1936 to 1952. Upon his return to India, he became the vice chancellor of Benares Hindu University from 1939 to 1948. Radhakrishnan's contributions to higher education were further recognized with his appointment as chancellor of the University of Delhi from 1953 to 1962. Notably, he served as the President of India from 1962 to 1967, leaving a lasting impact on the nation.(The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica)

He wrote many books to popularize Indian traditions as well as emphasize the establishment of casteless and classless society. He was a good philosopher and supported the modern form of Hinduism. Some of his famous books are The Philosophy of Upanishads, East and West: Some reflections, Eastern Religions and Western thought, and so many. On his birthday anniversary, 5th of September teacher’s day is celebrated to pay him tribute.He became the Vice President of India from 1952 to 1962 and President of India from 1962 to 1967 and awarded with the Bharat Ratna in 1954 along with the C. Rajagopalachari and C.V. Raman.

Write a note on S. Radhakrishnan’s perspective on Hinduism.

Radhakrishnan in his seminal work "The Hindu Views of Life" 1929, begins by asking a simple question: "What is Hinduism?" He doesn't give a direct answer because "Hinduism" is a word that was created by people outside of India to describe the people and culture there. Later, people in India started using the word "Hinduism" to talk about their religion and way of life. This was because even though India has many different people and cultures, they share a common history, literature, and civilization.

P Sreenivasulu Reddy in his article, "A critical Analysis of “The Hindu View of Life” by Dr.Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan"  argues Actually the term 'Hindu' was a geographical term and did not refer to a religion. It is derived from the Sanskrit word Sindhu, the historic local name for the Indus River in the northwestern part of the Indian subcontinent. It refers to the land of the aboriginal tribes and many other communities with different systems of worship and belief who live across the River Indus.

By the end of 12th century and earlier 13th century Hindustan emerged as a popular alternative name of India, meaning the "land of Hindus". Reddy stated the idea of Hinduism is just not bound by the one land, one community, region, religion and so on. The idea treanscends the boundry and comeout as "The Way of Life" Most probably Radhakrishnan believes in the metaphysics "अद्वैत वेदांत"  On greater extent he devides the world in "Prakriti-प्रकृति " and "Brahman-ब्राह्मणं".

Radhakrishnan goes on and highlights the comprehevsive comparision of Hinduism and Christianity, the questions like what is dharma and it's relevence in the modern time. History of scriptures is reffered by him in which it has cyclic nature like cycle of karma, dharma etc. He says that intution is the source of experience and result of experience.  The television series of Bharat ek Khoj talks about the then prominent idea od "Nation" 

However, Radhakrishanan's views on Hinduism is quite debatable in present time. In the contemporary time where religion is the political tool and especially in the case of Hinduism. The euphoric voice of havind India as Hindu Rashtra is somewhere get the sir from this kinds of document. Even in the case of believing in intution is somewhere prblematic. 

Write a note on the contribution of S. Radhakrishnan in Indian Writing in English.

Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan gave his useful and valuable contribution in the field of philosophy and education. Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan explained the religion, philosophy, and science in his own way and said that these three are very closely related to each other. Science tried to solve the problems of human beings in its way while religion and philosophy also have the same motive of solving problems of human beings in their own ways. Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan emphasized on the socialization process and tried to correlate with the Upanishad.

Radhakrishnan and Education : 

He said that philosophy is the rational discussion of ultimate reality “दर्शन  यथार्थ  के  स्वरुप  क तार्किक  विवेचना  है-Darshan Yatharth Ke Swarup Ki Tarkik Vivechana Hai” (Philosophy is the logical inquiry into the nature of reality) -Dr. S. Radhakrishnan. By the above words he tried to throw light on the constructive and productive approach of education due to which the all-round development of youths is possible. He was the chair of S Radhakrishnan Commission or University Education Commission [1948] Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (1956) narrated, “Education to be complete must be humane it must include not only training of intellect but refinement of the heart and discipline of the spirit. No education can be regarded as complete education it neglects the heart and spirit”.

 Education must be not only for gaining facts and knowledge but also for achieving wisdom and truth. He said “Education should be men making and society making” Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan said in the draft of University Education Commission that with the technological advancement the religious, spiritual and moral aspect of development should not be neglected. Education is incomplete without these. Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was very strongly advocated for free and compulsory education for all the children irrespective of gender, caste, creed, and socio-economic status. 

According to Radhakrishnan, what is the function of philosophy?

In his 1932 work, "An Idealist View of Life," Radhakrishnan stated his views on philosophy. He highlighted the existing conflict between religion and science and emphasized the need to identify loopholes in both. He argued that whether it's Buddhism, Hinduism, or empiricism, the idea of the Ideal is central. He posited that all philosophies can be classified as idealistic. Philosophy, according to Radhakrishnan, involves understanding, contemplation, and insight. Idealistic patterns are diverse and multifaceted.

He advocated for refining idealism by identifying its limitations and failures as defined by post-idealists.To find the answer, we must go beyond the authority of science and religion. Comparative religion is fallible and imperfect because it is constituted by language. Orthodox fundamentalism often adheres to ultimate holy books, which are susceptible to forgery. Such scriptures are considered the philosophy of the religion. The idea and its representation are influenced by societal and scientific factors.

Religion is highly political, demanding sacrificial living in exchange for a promised celestial fatherland and post-modern brotherhood. Philosophy asserts that God exists in religion and the Absolute in science, while truth transcends both. Therefore, the idealistic approach is central, while religion and science are peripheral.

So this is my understanding of the Radhakrishnan...

Thank You. 

Words : 1089

References : 

Sreenivasulu Reddy, P., and Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. “A Critical Analysis of ‘The Hindu View of Life’ by Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan.” Online International Interdisciplinary Research Journal, vol. IV, no. II, journal-article, Mar. 2014, p. 337. www.oiirj.org/oiirj/mar-apr2014/45.pdf?authuser=0.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan | Indian Philosopher, Scholar.” Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 Sept. 2024, www.britannica.com/biography/Sarvepalli-Radhakrishnan.

The-Wolfe-Review, View All Posts By. “The Hindu View of Life by Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan.” The Wolfe Review, 25 May 2019, thewolfereviewblog.wordpress.com/2017/09/09/the-hindu-view-of-life-by-sarvepalli-radhakrishnan.