On toppling of statues of great men from two centuries ago who owned slaves
Two POVs
1. Why on earth do you expect someone in 18th cen to share all the morals and ethics that you possess? Stupid
2. We should strive for a time-invariant moral code. What's happening is admirable
Two POVs
1. Why on earth do you expect someone in 18th cen to share all the morals and ethics that you possess? Stupid
2. We should strive for a time-invariant moral code. What's happening is admirable
Most Indians are wired to think in terms of 1.
At least traditional India.
Because ours is a society very sceptical of "natural right"
We are a "historicist" society in many ways...We like to think ways of living vary from one yuga to the next
At least traditional India.
Because ours is a society very sceptical of "natural right"
We are a "historicist" society in many ways...We like to think ways of living vary from one yuga to the next
That's the reason certain modes of life become "kalivarjya" in the Kali age, thought they were OK in earlier ages
E.g. 3000+ years ago, it is likely there were no strong impulses towards vegetarianism in Indian society. But 1500 years later (circa 500 CE), vegetarianism was big!
E.g. 3000+ years ago, it is likely there were no strong impulses towards vegetarianism in Indian society. But 1500 years later (circa 500 CE), vegetarianism was big!
Another example -
Widow remarriage was perhaps OK in 1000 BCE. But abhorred by 200 CE
Niyoga was entertained pre 500 BCE, but was very uncommon by the beginning of Common Era
Widow remarriage was perhaps OK in 1000 BCE. But abhorred by 200 CE
Niyoga was entertained pre 500 BCE, but was very uncommon by the beginning of Common Era
America in contrast is a society that embraces the idea of natural right
A country that places a great deal of emphasis on creating ideals on earth. (WInthrop's "City upon a hill" speech)
Its founding documents are replete with idealized statements
E.g. All men are equal
A country that places a great deal of emphasis on creating ideals on earth. (WInthrop's "City upon a hill" speech)
Its founding documents are replete with idealized statements
E.g. All men are equal
The Indian mind is fundamentally sceptical of creating "ideals" pertaining to secular matters of the "real world"
Because the real world is not what it seems...
Sab moh maya hai.
Our Vedantic notions remind us - What we perceive as a snake could be a rope, and vice versa
Because the real world is not what it seems...
Sab moh maya hai.
Our Vedantic notions remind us - What we perceive as a snake could be a rope, and vice versa
So to assert things like -
"All men are equal"
"Life, Liberty and Pursuit of Happiness"
is a very un-Indian thing
Because we don't believe such things can be asserted and held true for "all times"
"All men are equal"
"Life, Liberty and Pursuit of Happiness"
is a very un-Indian thing
Because we don't believe such things can be asserted and held true for "all times"
