A Study of Towards an Understanding of Gandhi's Views on Science

Abstract

A reading of the rather extensive literature on Gandhi reveals that his views on science rarely find mention, almost to the point of exclusion. Based on his critique of modern civilization and the sheer lack of material on his views on science, Gandhi has been labelled as anti-science. This has not been addressed adequately either by his followers or by social analysts of Gandhi’s philosophy and practice. In this paper focusing on his Collected Works (1888-1948) we seek to address this lacuna by presenting a detailed contextual collation and analysis of his views on science over the years. We look at the responses of scholars to these representations. We then present new material on Gandhi’s views on the subject that have been ignored and stand in need of analysis. The readings presented here would in our opinion have the potential of answering squarely some of Gandhi’s critics who saw his views as retrograde. This ‘archive’, it is hoped, will contribute to equalizing the focus in Gandhian studies from an overemphasis on his political philosophy to his contribution to intellectual history and the sociology of knowledge. Gandhi’s views on science have often been seen as presumed upon his views on machinery, the machine age and modern civilization. However, as we shall show, there is ample direct reference to science in Gandhi’s discussions with co-workers or talks with fellow countrymen. The new data presented here would also strengthen the existing critique of modern science and development. While the contours of this ‘alternative’ view need working out in detail, the present collation will correct the situation of indifference, if not negation, of Gandhi’s views on science by science policy proponents in India. While Nehru’s views on science have been written about quiet extensively, Gandhi’s have not received any scholarly attention so far.