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2010
Relevance of Anekant in Modern Times
- Prof. Ramjee Singh
Modern times is an era of crisis in the realm of human civillization. The reason is that we give so much attention to short-range and local problems that longrange and global problems continue to be neglected. Secondly, life has become more intricately interdependent and complex. So simpler solutions no longer suffice. A world civilization is fast emerging and we cannot afford to solve our problems with a parochial temper and sectarian outlook. For human survival, we need human cooperation on a plenatary scale able to deal with rapidly increasing complexities. The critical problems are so complex that we need a philosophy equally complex to grapple with them. One dimensional man in a multidemensional worldcrisis will be out of joint. Interexistence is the positive option for mankind. Either there is organic growth of mankind or there is organic destruciton of human civilization. Not only is it too late in history to convert all of mankind to Christianity, or Islam or Jainism (or to Communism, or Capitalism or any other isms), but also to some metaphysical principles which we have been cherishing since antiquity. The growth of scientific knowledge and outlook has destroyed most of our false dogmas and superstitions but it has failed to provide us knowledge that could sublimate our animal and selfish nature. Animality has been dominating our individual as well as social behaviour. Hence, our life has become full of tensions, turmoils and disorders. Therefore, although we are outwardly pleading for world-peace and non-violence, yet we have been preparing for war. This is th crisis of modern time that we aspire for peace but prepare for the formidable funeral procession of mankind.
Humanity is tottering today upon the brink of selfannihilation for lack of understanding, which includes understanding our selves and understanding each other. It is a time of tragic importance for the world because even before the shadows cast by one war is lifted fully, the skies become overcast with dark threatening clouds. Henc, at no period of human history man was in need of sound philosophy than today, As war begins in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defence of peace should be built. Today, one person does not agree with me, he is wicked, if a country does not agree with my country, it is wicked as if
