Political Science Criticism On Gandhism
Criticism on Gandhism
What is Gandhism?
Gandhism is a body of ideas and principles that describes the inspiration, vision and the life work of Mahatma Gandhi. It is particularly associated with his contributions to the idea of nonviolent resistance, sometimes also called civil resistance.
1. Lack of Originality:
Mahatma Gandhi was a religious person whose ethics is grounded in his religious faith. Although not systematic his ethics voices the spirit of the age. But not withstanding this redeeming feature from scholarly viewpoint his ethics or moral thoughts are unorganized and unbalanced.
Thus he has been subjected to severe criticism. His thoughts lack any originality. According to B.G. Ray, Gandhiji starts from Hindu religion, and the metaphysical solution of eternal problems from a Hindu angle of vision form the basis of his philosophy.
He has not sought to answer or solve the problem from an independent perspective of experience or reason.” It is not too incorrect to say that Gandhiji did not present any novel moral laws but he cannot be said to be completely without originality.
He gave to the old moral laws a completely new form. Gandhiji was the first one to introduce non-violence into the political field and he also made successful use of it.’ He declared punishment immoral. Gandhiji was the precursor of non- violent revolution.
2. Several Philosophical Contradictions:
Critics point out that Gandhian philosophy is full of contradictions. Like socialism, Gandhism supports the idea that every individual should be provided necessities of daily life. But at the same time, it opposes the socialist principles of nationalisation and mass production. Like communism, it condemns capitalism, but at the same time it is not in the favour of ending it. Like anarchism, it considers state as an evil, but at the same time it is not in favour of abolishing it. 3. Extremism:
According to Miller, “Gandhiji belongs to the type of sanyasis who repress the flesh consciously,
What is Gandhism?
Gandhism is a body of ideas and principles that describes the inspiration, vision and the life work of Mahatma Gandhi. It is particularly associated with his contributions to the idea of nonviolent resistance, sometimes also called civil resistance.
1. Lack of Originality:
Mahatma Gandhi was a religious person whose ethics is grounded in his religious faith. Although not systematic his ethics voices the spirit of the age. But not withstanding this redeeming feature from scholarly viewpoint his ethics or moral thoughts are unorganized and unbalanced.
Thus he has been subjected to severe criticism. His thoughts lack any originality. According to B.G. Ray, Gandhiji starts from Hindu religion, and the metaphysical solution of eternal problems from a Hindu angle of vision form the basis of his philosophy.
He has not sought to answer or solve the problem from an independent perspective of experience or reason.” It is not too incorrect to say that Gandhiji did not present any novel moral laws but he cannot be said to be completely without originality.
He gave to the old moral laws a completely new form. Gandhiji was the first one to introduce non-violence into the political field and he also made successful use of it.’ He declared punishment immoral. Gandhiji was the precursor of non- violent revolution.
2. Several Philosophical Contradictions:
Critics point out that Gandhian philosophy is full of contradictions. Like socialism, Gandhism supports the idea that every individual should be provided necessities of daily life. But at the same time, it opposes the socialist principles of nationalisation and mass production. Like communism, it condemns capitalism, but at the same time it is not in the favour of ending it. Like anarchism, it considers state as an evil, but at the same time it is not in favour of abolishing it. 3. Extremism:
According to Miller, “Gandhiji belongs to the type of sanyasis who repress the flesh consciously,