Mahatma Jotirao Phule Rationalistic Attitude Towards Religion and Society

Description

This research book examines the life, philosophy, and contributions of Mahatma Jotirao Phule, focusing particularly on his rationalistic attitude towards religion and society. Positioned within the broader context of nineteenth-century India's socio-religious reform movements, the study explores how rationalism utilizes critical thinking and reason to challenge orthodox traditions, religious fundamentalism, and blind obedience to social taboos, in contrast to scriptural dogmatism. The book highlights Phule's stance as a humanist and active social reformer whose philosophical framework was deeply influenced by the deistic philosophy of Thomas Paine, as well as the rationalistic ideas of René Descartes and Baruch Spinoza. Structured across seven chapters and an epilogue, the text defines foundational concepts of rational thinking, traces the historical development of rationalism in the West and in India from ancient to modern times, and analyzes the sociopolitical conditions of nineteenth-century western India. Furthermore, it investigates the impact of western education, British officials, Christian missionaries, and the press on the awakening process and reform movements in modern Maharashtra.