Gandhi's Philosophy of Action

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What are the elements that really constitute an action in Gandhi's worldview? What is the basis and nature of his action? How his views on action are related to his metaphysics, theory of knowledge. and ethics? From where does he get inspiration for his views on the action? As action relates the individual to others, how does Gandhi see the relation between the self and other? Is there any action or actions needed for oneself before engaging with others? As Gandhi to adhere to the Hindu philosophical tradition and of which the law of karma is an integral part, then, how does Gandhi get influenced by and reflect on the law of karma?

This book essentially deals with these questions. It attempts to explore and construct Gandhi's philosophy of action through a discursive journey of his writings. It argues that Gandhi's philosophy of action is the outcome of his unified metaphysics, epistemology, and ethics. It marks out that his philosophy of action comprises three essential inseparable components-universal love, responsibility, and detachment.

Prof. Prem Anand Mishra teaches at Faculty of Gandhian Studies, Gujarat Vidyapith, Ahmedabad. He is the author of Hind Swaraj: A Deconstructive Reading (2012), Peace Research: Issues and Application (2015), Gandhian Humanism in the Twenty first Century (2015), Position: Gandhi's Intervention in Contemporary Discourse (2017), and Co-author of Debating Nationalism (2018). He has also contributed to the renowned Journal Gandhi Marg, Journal of Gandhian Studies and The Indian Journal of Political Science.

The fact that I have affected the thought and practice of our times does not make me fit to give expression to the philosophy that may lie behind it. To give a philosophical interpretation of the phenomenon must be reserved for men like you.' Well, all my philosophy, if it may be called by that pretentious name, is contained in what I have said. You will not call it Gandhism; there is no ism about it.... All that I have written is but a description of whatever I have done.2 I am not built for academic writings. Action is my domain.... All my action is actuated by the spirit of service.'

These extracts show that Gandhi was hesitant to designate himself as a philosopher and he was more concerned with action. Indeed, Gandhi was not a philosopher in the sense in which the word is understood today in the academic field. The reason is that he was not concerned with the abstract metaphysical, moral and epistemological questions about reality. He, in fact, defined the function of philosophy only in the context of action. He once noted, "Philosophy to be worth anything has got to be applied in one's own life"

Yet, it does not mean that Gandhi was bereft of an analytical attitude. Rather it was through reasoning and conducting tests in the fields he developed his own philosophy. His philosophical goal was self-realization or Moksha that he wanted to achieve through the service of humankind which inherited the relentless action. He also proclaimed that all his political and other activities are intended for self-realization. Thus he established a unity between action and liberation. In short in Gandhi's philosophical discourse what is striking is: the primacy of action. Although Gandhian scholars have noted that action plays a pivotal role in Gandhi's philosophy, but they overlook one of the important facts that Gandhi's action has its own philosophy. This study is centred on this overlooked theme, i.e. philosophy of Gandhi's action.

The study intends to illustrate that what elements really 'constitute' Gandhi's action and how Gandhi's action is related to his metaphysics, epistemology, and ethics. On this basis, the study also aims to emphasize that essentially which kind of action or work can be termed as Gandhian. It is important to note that all 'good work' or good action' with 'good intention' is not necessarily Gandhian in nature. In fact, any action depends on how we look at the world and our corresponding relation to the subject and objects of the world. In other words, action depends upon our perspective. It is the perspective that defines, refines and gives meaning to any action. Thus, the question of action is primarily metaphysical and epistemological one, and it is not only a matter of 'doing something' in given situation but rather it means how one perceives and infers the existing reality and responds them. Thus, from outside one might see the same action carried by many people but that may well be carried from the different perspectives. The study is about Gandhi's perspective, and it attempts to explore and analyze the metaphysical, epistemological and ethical/ philosophical basis of Gandhi's action.

**Contents and Sample Pages**

**Contents and Sample Pages**