Diamond Jubilee Celebration

Bombay Philosophical Society

Inaugural Talk

Abstract of the Egyptian Spring: the Heroics and Perils of Idealism

Kiran Nagarkar

The Arab Spring, but especially the Egyptian version of it, was a moment of incandescent hope and joy not only for Egyptians but for all those across the world who continue to fight for fundamental freedoms. For thirty years Egypt had been a police state under President Hosni Mubarak. Then overnight both the emergency and Mubarak’s autocratic rule were terminated. And that too not because of a violent uprising but because of a valiant, non-violent campaign of civil disobedience and resistance. The Egyptian revolution was fought initially by two very different ideologies joining hands, the young secular forces and the fundamentalist Muslim Brotherhood. Soon the unspoken covenant between them was broken and the far better organised Brotherhood’s Morsi was elected President with disastrous consequences. 

My paper then is a tentative exploration of the heroics and perils of idealism. I had tried to deal with that subject in my novel God’s Little Soldier and now in the same context I hope to ask questions about the relevance of Gandhiji and the place of a national narrative in our lives. Established democracies easily forget how hard-won fundamental freedoms are always at risk, but especially when we are told that for the greater good of society we need to ignore them or keep them in abeyance. The Egyptian Revolution was hardly noticed in India but it has urgent lessons for us as well as the rest of the world. The least it deserves is serious introspection and a public discourse about its consequences and how we can contribute to it.

Date:  18^th July 2014

Timing: 3.30 to 5.00 pm

Venue: Seminar hall, 1^st Floor, Philosophy Department, Sant Jnaneshwar Bhavan, University of Mumbai, Kalina , Santacruz( east)

All are Cordially Invited

University of Mumbai

Department of Philosophy

One year Part time Certificate  Course in Indian Aesthetics

This course aims at exposing students to a range of aesthetic theories in the Indian and Western traditions. It also proposes to show the practical roots of these theories by illustrating their applications in diverse art forms such as painting, sculpture, architecture, dance and music. The course aims at covering the theoretical frame work of several world views in the Indian and Western traditions. However, it also endeavours to focus on the relation between these world views and art forms such as architecture, sculptor and painting.

While this course will delve into the philosophical foundations of Indian aesthetic traditions from theoretical and practical aspects, it will also be strongly related to culture, history, society, language and literature.  Moreover, it will also study some of the Indian aesthetic theories in a comparative context with respect to Western theories. This course is interdisciplinary to suit the development of academic life in a complex twentyfirst  century context. Moreover, this course aims at retaining the relationship between the ancient and contemporary, which is indispensable in any sustained study of art.

This  certificate course in Indian Aesthetics aims at understanding aesthetics and art from the perspective of theory and  application. It aims at inculcating sensitivity to diverse art traditions both from an Indian and Western points of view. Its goal is also to create a critical mental framework which will make it possible for students to engage in art criticism. Thus, this course will help academicians, students, art critics, artists and even lay persons all of who have an interest in art. 

(I)Eligibility Criteria:

HSC or its Equivalent in any stream (arts or science or commerce)

 (II)Examination Guidelines:

There will be two papers for Certificate Course in Indian Aesthetics each carrying 100 marks and Project work of 50 marks i. e. total marks 250. In the written examination, in each paper 40% marks will be assigned to the internal assessment and 60% to the year end examination. 40 % marks will be required for passing separately in each paper and project.

III  Fees : Rs 2800/=

Contact:  Dr Kamini Gogri:   9619379589, 9819179589

CERTIFICATE COURSE IN

PHILOSOPHY OF COMMUNAL HARMONY AND SOCIAL PEACE

Dr Kamini Gogri

Coordinator

Department of Philosophy

University of Mumbai

Peace in individual minds and peace in society are indispensable factors for social development and progress. The last century has seen more bloodshed and destruction of life and property due to communal disharmony, sectarian strife, political terrorism, religious fundamentalism, etc. The diversity in Indian culture and the people’s socio-economic conditions make Indian Society a convenient backyard for communal riots and sectarian strife. Such events can be traced to the time of British rule as well as during the post-independence era. In modern times regional strife has had its ramification in the form of cross-national and cross-continental terrorism in different parts of the world.

Indian society is very rich in its ethnic, religious, social and cultural order in terms of the fabric it encompasses and the diversity it displays. In times of national calamities and external aggression it has shown its power of resilience to come together as one monolith to destroy the enemy and overcome its tragedies. The sense of unity and oneness of Indian mind has been visible when needed. This  course aims to take a look at the nature of Indian Society, the philosophical/ ideological principles behind its social structures, the factors that have caused or contributed to communal riots and social violence, its impact on individual and social consciousness, trade, industry, workers, personal and social life, the observations and suggestions of some of the commissions of inquiry, the legal provisions and governmental schemes. The course aims to explore a philosophical and functional framework to prevent communal riots and social strife. The innovative schemes and programmes implemented to prevent communal riots in communally hyper-sensitive areas have shown excellent results in yielding communal harmony. A rational philosophical perceptive into the issue could help in  eradicating communal flare-ups and promote national integration.

Eligibility : HSC,   Fees 3400/-   Contact  Dr Kamini Gigri 9819179589, 9619379589