Ambedkar's social philosophy emerged as a response to the struggle for liberation of
the backward classes of his time, namely the Shudras and the Untouchables. He could not
tolerate the unjust environment - social, economic, political and religious - which had
been holding humanity in fetters for centuries. During his revolt, he developed a sort of
socio-humanistic philosophy which continued to flourish in his own lifetime and even
later.
This book is an attempt to understand Ambedkar's insights into `Social Humanism' and
his valuable contribution towards the creation of a new social order. The book suggests
that it is in creating a humanistic vision that we live in the whole of reality, and that
only a humanistic vision of reality can bring harmony into our social living. One will
find this quest being fulfilled to a great extent in the socio-humanistic insights of
Ambedkar.
Contents
Preface
1. Introduction
1. The Relevance of Ambedkar's Social Philosophy Today
2. The Socio-religious Background of Dr. Ambedkar
2. Traditional Hindu Social Order
1. The Evolution of Varnas and Castes
2. Difference between Caste and Varna
3. Features of the Caste System
3. Ambedkar's Critique of Traditional Hindu Social Order
1. Caste and Untouchability according to Ambedkar
2. Ambedkar's Quest for a New Social Order
4. Emancipation through Conversion
1. Religious Conversion as a means of Liberation
2. Ambedkar's Rejection of Dalit's Conversion to Christianity
3. Option for Buddhism
5. Towards a New Social Order
1. An Ideal Social Organization
2. The Concept of Common Good
3. Democracy - A Way of Life
4. The Concept of State Socialism
5. Non-violence Method of Social Change
6. The Critics of Ambedkar
1. Gandhi and the other Staunch Hindus
2. The Orthodox Marxists
7. An Evaluation of Ambedkar's Social Philosophy
1. Positive Elements of Ambedkar's Contribution
2. Grey Areas in the Philosophy of Ambedkar
8. Conclusion
Bibliography
Robert Pen, PhD, is a Salesian of Don Bosco of the Mumbai Province. He
is the Rector of Divyadaan: Salesian Institute of Philosophy and currently teaches
Philosophy of Communication and Indian Philosophy at the same institute. Besides
publishing articles in scholarly journals, he has authored two books: `Critical
Understanding of Media' (2010) and `Communication for Communion' (2012).
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