Thought of Mahatma Gandhi: A Path-Breaking Experience of Spiritual Pragmatism

Abstract

Gandhi perceives power not as an instrument to dominate other by force. Power according to him gets expanded when it is shared with others. A government that is not involving the people in the process of governance cannot be termed as a vehicle of good governance. Satyagraha is distinguished from passive resistance. Passive resistance is a weapon of the weak, whereas, Satyagraha is practiced by a person of courage and fortitude. The word Swaraj means self-rule and self-restraint, and not freedom from all restraint which “independence” often means. Trusteeship is based on the principle of social transformation. The trustee is considered as the repository of all talent and wealth that can be used for the common good. Gandhi confirms Kantian idea of innate moral dignity of all human beings. Each individual’s role is equally important for growth of the society and nation. Gandhiji’s idea of end justifies the means contests Realist ideas of public morality and private morality and Kautilya’s dual standard of morality. He emphasizes on the concept of “power with” instead of “power against”—a true reflection of spiritual pragmatism.