Satyagraha (Chapter 4)

I really like Gandhi’s concept of Satyagraha. Not as a nonviolent movement, but just as a way of thinking about life. Essentially, the belief that we alone can never know the whole truth and that only be having dialogue with others – specifically people who disagree with you – can you find the most just solution. If followed, it also helps make the world a smarter place. We can see the idiocy of people today from comments people make on the web. It seems that any news article or YouTube video turns into ridiculous arguments. Gandhi believed that you needed to take part in the system before you could judge if it was just/unjust. To expand on this idea, before people polarize themselves and start shouting at others with ludicrous comments maybe we can all just take a step back; reevaluate our position; discuss in intellectual and civil ways; and then come to a conclusion. As a society, we will come out better. I would say its’ almost like the saying “put your feet in someone else’s shoes.”

While I do think the basic principles of Satyagraha are things that we should keep in mind in all aspects of life and society, I do have to question the integrity of this theory as a way for political change directly. Bhikhu Parekh, as well as Gandhi, both saw that Satyagraha could not bring about the social change desired on its own. Parekh, in his book just lists Satyagraha’s flaws in his book; which I can see and agree with. While you see Gandhi integrate economic aspects into Satyagraha’s practical strategy. Gandhi’s Satyagraha is too idealistic; and that it should be used in conjunction with more practical viewpoints of nonviolence.