Sambodhi 1989 Vol 16

Author(s): Ramesh S Betai, Yajneshwar S Shastri
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 39

REASON AND INTUITION IN DR. S. RADHAKRISHNAN'S
PHILOSOPHY
Prof. C. V. Raval
Introductory
The critics of Indian Philosophy at home and abroad have lamented that "the creative period in Indian Philosophy" stopped at the close of the Hindi period in Indian history. They hold that the subsequent development in contemporary Indian philosophy has nothing of the grandeur or the majesty of the imposing systems of philosopliy of the age of the Darshanas or of the great Indian Acharyas. There is no such originality in the modern Indian Thinkers as in the systems of Kant, Hegel, Whitehead or Bergson. Indian philosophers lack in creative independent thinking. There is now an atmosphere of intellectual stagnation.
The above criticism is not justifiable and it is unfair and not correct to describe like this the contribution of the contemporary Indian thinkers like Gandhiji, Tagore, Sri Ramkrishna Paramahansa, Sri Aurobindo, Vivekanand, Vinobaji and Dr. Radhakrishnan. They entertain a global view and stand for a synthesis. Assimilation and not exclusion, toleration and not dogmatism characterise their attitude. This trend has clicited the admiration of persons like Lord Russell. The great Indian thinkers of this century have made significant and substantial contributions in the different fields of philosophical discipline. They have certainly enriched our understanding of the nature of reason and intuition or Spiritual Experience and their importance and role in man's life. They start enquiry into the deeper truths of metaphysics and religion with utmost seriousness and devotion. They show great interest in man's life in the world and they seem to be deeply interested in the spiritualization of man's secular life.
Dr. S. Radhakrislinan
Among the contemporary interpreters and exemplar's of India's ancient cultural ideas and philosophic wisdom harmonised with the best in modern thought, Prof. Radhakrishnan stands second only to Gandhiji and R. Tagore. Glowing tribute has been given to this worthy son of India by eminent thinkers of the world. The space here, does not permit us to go into all the details. However we shall mention here only a few of them.