Social Humanism - Dr. Ambedkar's Social Philosophy in reference to the Dalit Christians

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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.

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).

Human beings are social beings. They therefore need to live in harmony with those around them and it is only there that they can grow up and mature as human beings. Human beings cannot hope to ride the world until and unless they have created for each member of the human race, basic rights of freedom and equality which will allow them for full development and unrestricted use of human intelligence and capabilities. Occasionally, a human being has been made to suffer at the hands of other human beings driven mad by power - religious, political, economic or social. In such a situation the conscience of humanity has been outraged, and the cry has gone round for some sort of guarantees to afford protection to one human being against the tyranny of his fellow human beings, so that they can be assured of at least their rights to life, liberty and security of person.

A similar situation was present in Ambedkar's time when the backward class people of those days, namely the Shudras and the Untouchables, were made to suffer at the hands of Caste Hindus. Ambedkar's social philosophy was in response to their struggle for liberation. 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, in a sporadic manner continued to grow till the last days of his life. He stands for human dignity and freedom, for simplicity, integrity, liberty, equality, social and economic justice. He is opposed to any social order or institution or any creed or practice which involves injustice, violence and suppression of human personality. He therefore exposes the evil traditions and blind beliefs of the Caste-ridden Hindu social order. This book is an attempt to understand these various insights of Ambedkar on 'Social Humanism' and his valuable contribution towards the creation of a new social order.