Indian Political Thought Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Political Science YouTube Lecture Handouts

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B. R. Ambedkar: Philosophical Interests, Political Ideas, Critique of Social Evils, Opposition from Gandhi

Title: Indian Political Thought Dr. B. R. Ambedkar

Introduction

Illustration: Introduction
  • There is much in Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar՚s writings and social practices to consider him a philosopher in the traditional sense.
  • His association with certain philosophers and in his later years, he closely followed the teachings of the Buddha and philosophical schools that claimed to be inheritors of Buddha՚s teachings. He was familiar with the debates around socialism, particularly revolving around the critique of capitalism that informed the Fabian school.

Philosophical Interests of Ambedkar

His philosophical interest revolved around

  • metaphysical questions such as the nature of the self and being human; relationship of the self with the other; nature and consciousness; causality; human telos; human action and its consequences, etc. ;
  • epistemological questions such as modes of and approaches to knowledge; the problem of subject and object; intersubjectivity and communication; truth, interpretation and social practices; the nature of scientific method; and
  • ethical questions, particularly the relationship between morality and regimes of rights on the one hand, and societal values and human freedom on the other. Certain concerns of political philosophy such as justice, liberty, equality, community, democracy, authority, legitimacy and recognition were his lifelong pursuits.

Political Ideas of Ambedkar

Political ideas of Ambedkar revolved around following questions:

  • What does it mean to be human and a citizen?
  • How does one live a tradition? If the modern public is an autonomous sphere made of free and equal members, how to ensure its continuity over time and intergenerationally?
  • there a place for religion in our public life and if so, what is the nature of such religion?

Critique of Social Evils & Opposition from Gandhi

Ambedkar ultimately suggested that inter-caste marriage is the only remedy to destroy caste. In the Annihilation of Caste, Ambedkar՚s critique of the Hindu social order was so strong that Mahatma Gandhi, in Harijan, described Ambedkar as a challenge to Hinduism. Ambedkar replied to Gandhi in his usual uncompromising manner.

Questions

1. The negotiation between the Gandhi and Ambedkar for Poona Pact showed Ambedkar՚s commitment for integrated to equitable Indian Society?

2. Political ideas of Ambedkar developed through a resistive ideological perspective and later on he

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