Miscellaneous articles
INTRODUCTION TO VOLUME xii
. These are not within the social science perspective of this collection, but I thought it was important to put them together for easy access.
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LIST OF ARTICLES WITH ABSTRACTS IN VOLUME xii
1. A FRAMEWORK FOR SOCIAL ANALYSIS
Abstract: Social analysis must be in the context of the system being considered, i.e., a structure or function in terms of the unity they are organized into, the static and the dynamic aspects in terms of each other.
2. FRANCIS OF ASSISI
Abstract: The life and teaching of the 12th-century founder of the Franciscans, St Francis of Assisi.
Abstract: Ramanuja is one of a long line of interpreters of the Brahma (or Vedanta—) sutra and though he claims to follow faithfully the commentary of Bodhayana he is very much influenced by non-Upanishadic sources like the Pancaratra and the ekantika dharma of the Bhagavad Gita and also by non-Aryan sources like the ecstatic religious poetry of the Tamil Alvars. Owing to his perusal of the latter two sources Ramanuja trusts firmly to the religious instinct, and sets forth a deeply religious view which reveals God to man through creation.
4. THE MONOTHEISM OF SANKARA
Abstract: The philosophy of Sankara also called Adi Shankara or Adi Shankaracharya, the 8th-century Indian Vedic scholar and teacher (acharya).
5. COVENANT THEOLOGY
Abstract: The Bible reveals quite decidedly the paramount importance of the covenant theme all through its pages. For if the revelation of God is his divine self-communication then his covenant with man expresses a fundamental motif in the doctrine of salvation. This theme occurs at the beginning of Israelite religious thought and dominates it throughout. With Israel’s religious experience, it develops and deepens until it attains new and unparalleled dimensions in the New Testament. In fact, St. Paul ‘elaborates a general picture of human history, the key to which is the covenant theme.’
6. THE POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY OF ARISTOTLE
Abstract: This essay looks at Aristotle’s political philosophy, in the Politica. Aristotle’s political theory is not a purely a priori abstraction. He is at pains to base his principles firmly on human experience, and though the term is post-Aristotelian we think we could justly call his method a sensitive-rational analysis.
7. ‘TRANSITION AND TRANSFORMATION: THE OPPOSITION BETWEEN INDUSTRIAL AND PRE-INDUSTRIAL TYPES OF SOCIETY IN THE WRITINGS OF KARL MARX, FERDINAND TONNIES, EMILE DURKHEIM AND MAX WEBER.
Abstract: Sociology attempted to comprehend and come to terms with the profound changes that the industrial revolution in England and the democratic one in France had precipitated. In this essay, the writings of four authors, Karl Marx, Ferdinand Tonnies, Emile Durkheim and Max Weber are considered; the distinct differences among them and the broad lines of transition from pre-industrial to industrial society and transformation beyond are at least comparable and mutually illuminating, if not by confirmation, then by contrast.
8. SOCIAL MEDICINE FOR HOLISTIC HEALTH: AN ALTERNATIVE RESPONSE TO PRESENT CRISIS
Abstract: What is needed is a more comprehensive and radically new paradigm for an alternative approach to health care. Two critical approaches are outlined here: the older political economy critique and the newer socio-cultural one. The ‘social medicine’ urged by the first and the ‘holistic health’ defined by the second are complementary rather than contrary. For only when our medicine is genuinely ‘social’ can we really have ‘health for all: and only if this health is authentically ‘holistic’ can we truly be ‘healthy people’.
9. THEOLOGICAL MISSION IN OUR CHANGING SITUATION
Abstract: Challenge, crisis and danger ─ disrupt the status quo and demand that we change. There is always a risk in changing. But more often there is an even greater risk in not changing, and surely the greatest risk is in drifting along. Theologians should not be isolated but journey with God’s people and persevere with them in faith and hope, in God and his people!
10. COMMITMENT AS FIDELITY AND FREEDOM
Abstract: Three characteristics of a genuine human commitment are freedom, fidelity and love.
11. INDIA IN THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY: GANDHI’S DREAM, NEHRU’S VISION OR MODI’S NIGHTMARE?
Abstract: Gandhi’s ‘India of My Dreams’ had given way to Nehru’s vision of a multi-cultural, pluri-religious state. But with the horrors of the pogrom in Gujarat receiving such unabashed and cynical support of the political party in power, we seem to be now on a trajectory from Gandhi’s dream, through Nehru’s vision cascading to Modi’s nightmare!
12. WOMEN, DALITS AND THE ENVIRONMENT IN HINDU AND CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE IN CONTEMPORARY INDIA.
Abstract: How will the General Congregation 35 read and respond to the times? A General Congregation is essentially a process of discernment, whether it be the election of the superior general, the processing of the postulates or the decrees to be voted on. Here an attempt is made to delineate various levels in this process, best would be a bottom-up continuous, participative process.
13. VASUDHAIVA KUTUMBAKAM: TRANSITION TO AN ECOLOGICAL COMMUNITY
Abstract: The pursuit of a universal family, as expressed by the mantra Vasudhaiva Kutumbakum demands, can only be viable and holistic from such a social-ecological perspective. The inclusiveness we aspire to as a familial human community must not be hierarchical but egalitarian: equal respect for persons and communities, even for their differences. It must not privilege power but fraternal solidarity in caring and sharing, mutually enriching, focused on the common good, where together all create the structures and cultures wherein each can develop their full potential, and fulfil their promise.
14. INTERROGATING THE ACADEMY: RENEGOTIATING THE TERMS OF DISCOURSE
Abstract: The challenge is to become organic intellectuals. For middle-class academics and activists, who are alienated from the grass-roots people in the field, this is a difficult and delicate task. An organic intellectual is someone who can catalyse and articulate the experience of the people, voice their knowledge, echo their wisdom, and make them present in places where they are not heard or acknowledged.
15. THE IDEA OF INDIA IN AN AGE OF EXTREMES
Abstract: India does not need to be a Hindu superpower; we would rather Indians be a happy people.
17. COVID AND MARGINALISED: DOING THE DEEDS TO MAKE OUR WORDS CREDIBLE
Abstract: We have declared a war on terror in the name of peace. The jihad for peace challenges us today, But there is still fear, anger and hatred. However, a remedy must address not just the symptoms, but the causes of such a disease.
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