According to Gandhi, Nonviolence is a science and not a mere feeling or fleeting emotion. This implies that the study of nonviolence admits of all those essential characteristics which distinguish any body of knowledge as a science; and it surely does so:
First, nonviolence is a systematic and rationally intelligible discipline with its own inner principles for regulating individual and social psychology and conduct. It may here be pointed out that Gandhi was highly prophetic in labeling nonviolence as a science, because a host of Universities in Europe, USA and Canada have in recent years introduced Depts. of Peace Studies where peace (nonviolence) is now studied as an academic discipline. There seems to be a felt need for this.
Secondly, like any other science, nonviolence calls for detailed, analytic study. Indeed, it has to be learnt and studied patiently, and in detail like any other science.
First, nonviolence is a systematic and rationally intelligible discipline with its own inner principles for regulating individual and social psychology and conduct. It may here be pointed out that Gandhi was highly prophetic in labeling nonviolence as a science, because a host of Universities in Europe, USA and Canada have in recent years introduced Depts. of Peace Studies where peace (nonviolence) is now studied as an academic discipline. There seems to be a felt need for this.
Secondly, like any other science, nonviolence calls for detailed, analytic study. Indeed, it has to be learnt and studied patiently, and in detail like any other science.
Thirdly, like every other science, the knowledge it provides can also be put to practical use. But, of course, it can be successfully applied only after an adequate study of its philosophy, history and methods of practice. It is Gandhi’s firm faith that when it is practiced as it ought to be, “nonviolence can never fail; (and that) what fails is our imperfect practice of it”. It is now the task of our age, utterly fed up with rampant violence, to try to see if this faith can stand the test of practice.
Fourth, like other sciences, nonviolence too can solve problems. For instance, the science of physics has solved the problem of darkness by giving us electricity. Similarly, nonviolence too can dispel the ominous clouds of growing violence globally.
The realization that "'Nonviolence is a Science" is a Eureka Moment - which will motivate us to "Learn Nonviolence". It is equivalent to the 'apple' falling on Newton's head that drove him to perseverance and meticulous study which resulted in the Law of Gravitation!
So as a first step I invite you to our forthcoming interactive workshop on Understanding Gandhi.
For registration and details, click here - Gandhi Seminar
Dr Suman Khanna Aggarwal
I am reminded of my Uncle Late Dr Tilak Raj Bhatia Ph D (Industrial Psychology) who emphasised,
ReplyDeletePatience is not only a virtue, it is the one without which all other virtues tend to lose meaning.
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In a world of Fast Food, 4G speed of Gizmos, road rage .... we seem to be living at the flashpoint of violence. There is surely more to Gandhi than taught (for political mileage, being encashed even till recently), and who could teach it better than Dr. Suman Khanna Aggarwal, not only a Ph D in Gandhian studies but teaching how to practice Gandhian Non Violence world over.
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Thank you for your encouraging words. I agree with you that we seem to be living at the flashpoint of violence. I have more work coming up about the same.
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