Lessons from Great Leaders Reformers and Administrators – Gandhian Philosophy Ethics UPSC
Table of Contents
Mahatma Gandhi – Lessons from Great Leaders Reformers and Administrators
Gandhi was deeply impressed by the philosophy of the Bhagavad Gita.
He considered Gopal Krishna Gokhale to be his teacher, who embodied the goal of spiritualizing in politics.
1. Mahatma Gandhi’s Concept of Sarvodaya
What?
- Universal uplift or progress of all
- Inspired by John Ruskin’s Unto This Last.
Why?
- Whole world is like a huge body.
- Interconnectedness of society/ecosystem.
- Pain (Injustice) anywhere is a threat to Pleasure (justice) everywher
- The good of an individual is contained in the good of all.
- Godliness
- Divinity of human
- There is God in all of us
How?
- Promotion of self-sufficiency small-scale industry and local industry
- Gram Swaraj
- Aatmnirbhar Village
- Sarvodaya is not just about material welfare, but also about moral and spiritual growth
2. Faith in God
- His religious beliefs were a fusion of Hindu, Jain, Buddhist, and Christian ideals.
- Religious Tolerance
- He believed in the gods of all religions and considered them as ‘One God’.
- God is present in every being in the form of Atman/soul. Best way to discover God is to discover your voice of soul. He often relied upon his inner voice or the voice of his soul to guide him on the right path.
- He believed that the Kingdom of God is within every man and that God communicates with us in the form of our inner voice.
- Path of love, truth, non-violence and service to realise God instead of following numerous rituals.
- The idols of God in temples are only a symbolic representation of Him.
- If you wish to be a true Christian, you should live like Jesus Christ.
- He called his religion a ‘religion of truth’ and transformed the concept from ‘God is Truth’ to ‘Truth is God’.
- He called God Sat-Chit-Ananda (Truth-Knowledge-Bliss)
- Fundamental duty to strive towards excellence
- Charaiveti Charaiveti
- All religions teach us that God is in every living being. Hence, the true purpose of religion is to serve people who are less privileged.
3: Truth (Satya)
- Truth held central importance in Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy. His entire life was an experiment with truth, as he titled his autobiography “My Experiments with Truth”.
- He called his religion the ‘religion of truth’ and he believed that Truth and God are one. Hence, if you are truthful, you are closest to God.
- Gandhi believed that truth must be reflected in our actions. He practiced what he preached.
- Gandhi saw non-violence (Ahimsa) as a means to achieving truth. He believed that violence obstructs the path to truth.
4. Service to Society
- Gandhi believed that God could be realised only by service to humanity.
- Service to human beings is service to God because God is present in every human being.
- He thus followed the ideals of Christianity in this regard and the teaching of Jesus Christ that service to the poor is service to God.
5. Cleanliness and Purity of Heart
- Mahatma Gandhi placed great emphasis on both cleanliness in daily life and purity of heart.
- Purity of heart meansintrospection and continuous self-improvement.
- He preached self-purification by following the ideals of one’s religion.
- Gandhi also saw cleanliness in daily lifeand purity of heart as social responsibilities. He once said, Cleanliness is next to godliness.
- The ‘Swachch Bharat Abhiyan’ (Clean India Mission) by the Government of India is dedicated to Gandhiji. However, he believed not only in the cleanliness of the body, house or streets, but also the purity of heart.
6. End and Means
- Inseparable connection between ends and means is a central principle in Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy.
- Inspired by philosophy of Geeta we have control over the means but not over the end.
- Gandhi rejected Teleology principle that ‘end justifies means’. The end justifies the means is a short-sighted approach.
- He believed that You can’t achieve noble ends by following evil means.
- As the means so the end.’
7. Human Nature
Gandhi’s view of human nature was central to his philosophy and political strategies. It shaped his methods of nonviolent resistance and his vision for a just and equitable society.
- Inherent Goodness
- Son of God concept. Inherent divinity or Godliness.
- Service of society is service of God
- Inspired by Tolstoy’s The Kingdom of God is Within You
- Interconnectedness of all beings
- Life doesn’t make any sense without interdependence. We need each other, and the sooner we learn that, it is better for us all. -Erik Erikson
- The good of one lies in the good of society
- Concept of Sarvodaya
- Altruism
- Man is inherently Selflessness
- Ideal of a Stateless Society
- Enlightened anarchy
- Did not accept the theory of Survival of the fittest by Charles Darwin
- Promote violence to survive in this world
- Acknowledged both Potential for Greatness and Fallibility in human nature
- made mistakes and learned from them
- Protect yourself from evil – Three monkeys’ metaphor – “see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.”
- Every saint has a past and every sinner has a future.
- Every human being has the potential to change and improve
- My experiments with truth
- Policy of self-evaluation, self-punishment and self-reward
- Power of Nonviolence and Truth
- Nonviolent resistance (or Satyagraha) and truth have a transformative effect on oppressor’s sense of morality and justice
8. Ahimsa (Non-violence)
Why?
- ‘Ahimsa’ is natural to spiritual man
- Godliness
- Ripple effect
- ‘An eye for an eye will make the whole world blind’.
- Long term loss
- ‘I object to violence because when it appears to do good, the good is only temporary; the evil it does is permanent.’
- Everyone has Potential for Greatness and Fallibility
- ‘Hate the sin and not the sinner’.
- Human Nature
- Selflessness
- Interconnectedness
Broden view
- For Gandhi, violence was not just physical harm or aggression. He considered harm caused through words, actions, or even thoughts as forms of violence. (Mansa, Vacha, Karmna)
- He considered the truth and non-violence are Inseparable like two sides of the same coin.
Not a cowardliness
- Gandhi believed that Practicing Ahimsa required immense courage.
- Emotion and intelligence work against to each other
- He saw Ahimsa as a form of active resistance against injustice.
- Peaceful protests, strikes, and civil disobedience.
- Conquer the enemy rather than defeat him for a peaceful and more just society.
- He believed in the possibility of changing hearts and minds through non-violent resistance.
9. Non-cooperation with Evil
- Non-cooperation is central to the political strategy he used in the struggle for India’s independence from British rule, known as Satyagraha.
- He believed that good people should never cooperate with evil forces for the perpetration of evil practices.
- He followed the ideal of civil disobedience without resorting to violence.
- Satyagraha is a term coined by Mahatma Gandhi, which “insistence on truth” or “clinging to truth”. It’s a method of nonviolent resistance against injustice or evil.
- The principle of non-cooperation with evil under Satyagraha means refusing to comply with unjust laws or systems without resorting to violence.
- He used fasting and non-violence as a weapon for Satyagraha (instance of truth) which he believed increases the power of prayer.
According to him, the main qualities of a Satyagrahi are as follows:
- Harbour no anger
- Suffer the anger of the opponent
- Never retaliate to assaults or punishment
- Voluntarily submit to arrest or confiscation of your own property
- Do not insult the opponent
- Do not curse
- Joyfully obey the orders of the leaders of the civil disobedience
Gandhi’s philosophy of non-cooperation with evil has had a profound influence on many civil rights and social justice movements around the world, including the American Civil Rights Movement led by Martin Luther King Jr.
10. Seven Sins of Gandhian Philosophy UPSC
- Wealth without Work is a Sin
- This is our moral duty to contribute towards society as we also benefit from society
- Must repay society’s debt
- Tax evasion, money laundering, corruption
- Pleasure without Conscience is a Sin
- Harmful to the self (Weaken conscience)
- Harmful to the society (Unequal distribution of resources)
- Jainism also teaches Aparigraha
- Growing materialism and consumerism at the expense of the environment and society
- Hording of essential goods and medicine during Covid 19
- Knowledge without Character is a Sin
- Double edged sword
- You can make both Virus or Antivirus
- Corporate fraud, cybercrimes
- Spread of fake news and misinformation
- Science without Humanity is a Sin
- Double edged sword
- False claim of covid treatment
- Weapon of maas destruction, Nuclear, Chemical and Biological Bomb
- Politics without Principle is a Sin
- Without principles, power corrupts and harms the society
- Defection, False promises, spreading misinformation, or resorting to hate speech for electoral gains
- Religion without Sacrifice is a Sin
- Man is altruistic by nature
- Highlights the importance of selflessness in religious practice
- Religious fundamentalism, misuse of religion for political gain
- Commercialization of religious events like the Kumbh Mela
- Commerce without Morality is a Sin
- Not seek undue profit
- Food adulteration, hording, child labour, unfair labour practices, and environmental pollution
11. Gandhi’s Economic Ideas
His economic philosophy (Gandhian economics) was rooted in his philosophy of truth and non-violence, and were shaped by his deep concern for the poor and the marginalized.
- Swadeshi (self-reliance)
- Encouraging the production and consumption of goods made within one’s own country
- Used as a form of passive resistance against British colonial rule.
- Boycotting British goods as a way to undermine the colonial economy.
- Gram Swaraj
- He advocated for economic self-sufficiency at the village level
- Rejection of large-scale industrialization
- Emphasis on village economies and cottage industries
- Decentralization
- Proponent of decentralized economic systems.
- He believed that this would prevent the exploitation of workers and lead to a more equitable distribution of wealth
- Promote Khadi and other Village Industries as a means to achieve economic self-sufficiency.
- Trusteeship
- Ultimately all wealth belongs to God
- He was against the accumulation of wealth
- All the excess wealth belongs to society and should be used for supporting the poor
- But opposed the forceful distribution of wealth proposed by Karl Marx. Gandhiji wanted to use persuasion and mutual cooperation for the purpose of bringing the concept of trusteeship.
- Gandhiji had developed the thesis of trusteeship as an alternative to capitalism and communism.
- The idea of trusteeship is based on the Indian value of aparigraha i.e., non-acquisition of excess wealth or property. We can use our wealth either for self-satisfaction or for satisfying the needs of others.
- Trusteeship seeks sustainable development
- Non-violence and Economic Activity
- Opposed economic practices that led to exploitation or harm to others
- Unfair labour practices and the unsustainable use of natural resources.
- Simplicity and Minimalism
- Mahatma Gandhi was a man who lived on minimalist needs. (Low carbon footprint)
- Consuming only as per one’s needs and avoiding excess
- Virtue of labour
- Wealth without Work is a Sin
12. Gandhi’s Education Ideas
Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of education, often referred to as “Nai Talim” or “Basic Education”, was a radical departure from traditional methods of education.
- Holistic Development
- All-round development of a person – intellectual, physical, social, and moral
- Education without character is a Sin.
- Learning through activity
- Children learn best by doing things themselves
- Emphasis on vocational training and work experience
- Opposed the western Education
- Focus on intellectual development at the expense of moral and vocational education
- Colonial education created a sense of inferiority in the minds of Indians.
- Education should promote sense of dignity and self-respect.
- Indian languages as a medium of Education
- Education in English crippled Indians, distanced them from their own social surroundings, and made them “strangers in their own lands”.
- Self-Sufficiency and Craft-Centered Education
- Gandhi saw education as a means to self-sufficiency.
- Useful craft, learned scientifically, should be at the center of the child’s education.
- Social Relevance
- Curriculum should be related to the students’ environment and daily life, and should contribute to the improvement of the community.
- Peace and values education should be an integral part of the curriculum.
11. Mahatma Gandhi’s Quotes: Ethics UPSC
- ‘There is enough on this earth for everyone’s need but for no one’s greed.’ Mahatma Gandhi
- The quote emphasizes the concept of sustainability.
- Mahatma Gandhi was a man who lived on minimalist needs. (Low carbon footprint)
- He referred to colonial powers and greedy capitalists who exploited poor people for amassing wealth.
- Our needs are limited but our greed has no limit. A greedy man is never satisfied because the more he gets, the more he desires.
- Moreover, in order to fulfil their greed, men commit many illegal and immoral acts, which make poor people poorer and create imbalance in society.
- “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.”
- Kal kre so aaj kar, aaj kre so ab. Pal me prlay hoyegi bhuri krego kab.
- “Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.”
- “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”
- “Where there is love there is life.”
- “Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.”
- “Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes.”
- “The future depends on what we do in the present.”
- “It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver.”
- “Nonviolence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind. It is mightier than the mightiest weapon of destruction devised by the ingenuity of man.”
- “First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.”
- “Truth stands, even if there be no public support. It is self-sustained.”
- “A man is but the product of his thoughts. What he thinks, he becomes.”
- This quote emphasis the significance of our thoughts in shaping our lives.
- Formation of our self-perception and identity.
- Thoughts precede actions. Our thoughts shape our intentions and motivations, which in turn drive our actions.
- Thoughts are the seeds that transform a person.
- ‘The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.’
- The quote suggests that by focusing on the needs and welfare of others, we can discover our true selves.
- Gandhi’s philosophy of service emphasized the interconnectedness of all individuals and the importance of contributing to the welfare of society.
- In doing so, we may discover a greater understanding of our own values, strengths, and aspirations.
- Write about Human nature by Gandhi
- The weak can never forgive; forgiveness is the attribute of strong.
- Weak – lack of inner strength, resilience, or moral character
- Forgiveness is an act of not holding any feeling of revenge or anger against the person who has caused any harm i.e., mentally, physically or emotionally. It requires a certain level of strength, inner courage, and moral stature.
- Only self controlled person control the feeling of hatred and avoid retaliation. When you forgive people, you stop the chain reaction of hatred, violence and counter-violence. Gandhi ji had wisely said that ‘eye for eye policy would make the world blind’.
- It is easy to win others, but difficult to win oneself.
- Emotions and intelligence in opposite direction.
Gandhian Philosophy Ethics UPSC
Golden rule
GandhiJi’s Talisman – Your work should create some hope for poorest and the weakest man you know.
Means justifies ends.
‘Generations to come, it may well be, will scarce believe that such a man (Mahatma Gandhi) as this one ever in flesh and blood walked upon this Earth.’—ALBERT EINSTEIN
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