Gandhi and Non-Violence

Gandhi and Non-Violence

William Borman

"The issues of South Africa and the nuclear bomb and theologies of liberation have for some time spotlighted the question of violence and non-violence. The strength or weakness of Gandhian non-violence often comes up in discussions on the subject. This work analyzes Gandhian non-violence. The analysis is able, thourough and - this is what I most respond to - marked both by rigorous Western style scrutiny and familiarity with Gandhi's philosophical and religious roots. He provides a strong theoretical basis for the instinctive reactions of many of Gandhi's non-violence, for the wide spread and commonsense belief that in general non-violence is sound and beneficial but that non-violent extremism may not be. His treatment of Gandhian non-violence in the context of Indian philosoophy and metapysics is of high calibre. His approach is both fresh and successful." --Rajmohan Gandhi