World of Philosophy

Author(s): Christopher Key Chapple, Intaj Malek, Dilip Charan, Sunanda Shastri, Prashant Dave
Publisher: Shanti Prakashan

Page 262

Any attempt to understand an entity or a phenomenon is to identify it in terms of its differential properties that constitute its very essence. However, in view of the dynamic and constantly changing character of every existence there cannot be absolutistic or static determination of an identity. The notion of identity, whether that of an individual or a collectivity, defies neat and precise categorization. The identity of an individual has some ostensivity and therefore it can be demonstratively referred to but the identity of a collectivity does not admit even this type of reference. And yet our mind tries to look for and discern identities for practical purposes. Though experienced intimately and made use of in worldly behaviour identity eludes determination in thought and language. It provides a basis for all empirical activities and yet its conceptual apprehension may not be adequately available. Thus there is a paradoxical awareness of an identity. We know what it is but we cannot clearly define or describe it through concepts and words. This is because the reality has a natural way of breaking down whatever walls of separation human mind may erect between concepts
III
The questions as to what is Indian-ness or what is to be identified as Indian etc. are characterized by the same vagueness and relativism that pertain to other collectivities. In spite of this Indian identity is so profoundly and vividly unique that there is some kind of demonstrativeness about it. Our perception of what makes an 'Indian' may be different but none of us who is an Indian would deny the label of that identity and on this logic none else would refuse such an ascription to an Indian. We may disagree over notions of democracy, socialism, secularism etc. but may not do so in regard to Indian-ness. Howev.,ust also be conceded that there is such a spatiotemporal vastness and wide variety about India that this identity cannot be seen in rigid and fixed terms.
India is a geographical unit with changing boundaries at different periods of time. Initially having a habitational reference Indian-ness soon transcended geography to spread far and wide with the stream of emigrants who zealously preserved, propagated and practiced all that India stood for. As a consequence, Indian-ness becoming quasi-geographical assumed a cultural overtone. It may appear to be naïve but it must be made clear that Indian-ness is not to be confused with Indian nationality or Indian citizenship or even Indian ethnicity, though their evolution as concepts in actual practice has been so closely interspersed that they have often slipped from one to another. Thus Indian-ness is a matter of psychology, a unity of race and culture, of a view and a way of life.
IV
Indian identity is embedded in the multi-faceted Indian culture, which
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