Conceptualising Man, Religion, and Morality in Gandhian Thought: Towards a Pedagogy of Truth

• Dr. Manoranjan P. Sing

  Presidency University

  Author

Philosophical inquiry offers diverse perspectives on the nature of man, from sociological definitions of man as a social animal to existential explorations of essential human characteristics. Mahatma Gandhi, however, perceived these characterizations as incomplete, positing that man is a complex being endowed with profound essential capacities. He identified qualities such as consciousness, the capacity for reasoning, will, and passion not as mere physical attributes but as manifestations of an inherent spiritual power that constitutes man's true nature. When addressing the concepts of ‘Religion’ and ‘Morality,’ Gandhi asserted their intrinsic interconnectedness, viewing them as two facets of the same fundamental Truth. For him, the authentic nature of religion is indistinguishable from the authentic nature of morality. This paper critically examines the intricate links between Gandhi's conceptions of man, religion, and morality. It further aims to elucidate how this integrated understanding can form the basis of a coherent and transformative methodology of learning, one that moves beyond mere instruction towards the cultivation of character and the pursuit of Truth. 

1. Dr. Manoranjan P. Sing, Presidency University

   Assistant Professor, Department of Philosophy

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