Gandhi’s Philosophy and the Quest for Harmony

Anthony Parel affords a novel perspective on the philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi. He explores how Gandhi connected the spiritual with the temporal. As Parel points out \'being more things than one\' is a good description of Gandhi and, with these words in mind, he shows how Gandhi, drawing on the Indian time-honoured theory of the purusharthas or \'the aims of life\', fitted his ethical, political, aesthetic and religious ideas together. In this way Gandhi challenged the notion which prevailed in Indian society that a rift existed between the secular and the spiritual, the political and the contemplative life. Parel\'s revealing and insightful book shows how far-reaching were the effects of Gandhi\'s practical philosophy on Indian thought generally and how these have survived into the present.

• Provides new and fascinating insights into Gandhi’s philosophy and how he reconciled an active with a reflective life • For students and scholars in religious studies, philosophy, politics, history and anthropology • Written by the author of the acclaimed Gandhi: \'Hind Swaraj\' and Other Writings

Preface; Acknowledgements; Part I. The Four Aims of Life: Introduction; 1. Gandhi\'s reconstitution of the four aims; Part II. Politics and Economics: 2. Civic nationalism; 3. The state; 4. The economy; Part III. Dharma: 5. Dharma as duty; 6. Dharma as religion; 7. Dharma as ethics; Part IV. Pleasure: 8. Celibacy and sexuality; 9. Art and society; Part V. Spiritual Liberation: 10. The Gita and moksha; 11. Conclusion: the political and the spiritual; Bibliography; Glossary; Index.

\'For those who thought there is not much new to be said about Gandhi, Anthony Parel has shown otherwise in this outstanding book. The Gandhian Paradigm is stimulating and fresh, opening several new doors to our understanding of Gandhi and is an invaluable contribution as it intelligently speaks to our own times and challenges.\'

– Ronald J. Terchek, Professor Emeritus, University of Maryland Author of Gandhi: Struggling for Autonomy

\'Rare in Gandhi interpretation is so original a study. Anthony Parel persuasively argues that Gandhi, in a quest to harmonize Indian values, privileged politics or artha as the means to attain moksha. Rather surprisingly Gandhi emerges the more a modern and pragmatic politician.\'

– Antony Copley, Honorary Reader, University of Kent