The ideals of Mahatma Gandhi are rooted in the principles of Satya (truth) and Ahimsa (non-violence), which form the basis of his ethical and spiritual ideals. This study explores the philosophical aspects of these two cardinal principles and their importance to Gandhi's socio-political and moral philosophy. To Gandhi, "truth" was not just the factual truth, but the ultimate truth for which he identified with God and morality. Truth had to be sought after with discipline, purity of thought and moral conduct. Non-violence, however, was looked upon as the concrete demonstration of the principle of truth and the greatest virtue of human nature. Gandhi felt that violence is the disintegration of any oppressor, as well as any oppressed, and that non-violence can transform human conscience and create justice through the power of love and compassion. The application of these ideas in Gandhi strategies of Satyagraha, civil disobedience and social movements is also studied. His philosophy was not just political, but universal and applicable to peace and justice, human rights and harmonious co-existence in the contemporary world. The paper concludes that Gandhi's concept of ‘truth' and non-violent action is a living synthesis of spirituality, morality and action which can continue to offer a solution to world peace and conflict resolution today.
Mrinal Dutta (Wed,) studied this question.
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