Cultural Encounters and Ethical Resistance: A Hermeneutical Study of Satyagraha in South Africa
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56294/sctconf20251345Keywords:
South Africa, Reading, Social Segregation, Philosophy, WritingAbstract
Introduction: This research presents a hermeneutical study of Mahatma Gandhi's Satyagraha during his period in South Africa. It examines the complex cultural encounters he faced within colonial South Africa, marked by racial segregation and discrimination, and how these shaped his philosophy of Satyagraha, a principled, nonviolent resistance grounded in truth and love.
Methods: A close reading of Gandhi's autobiography Satyagraha in South Africa from this period forms the methodological basis. This approach allows for in-depth exploration of Satyagraha's ethical dimensions as a response to injustice.
Results: The analysis reveals how Gandhi's South African experiences profoundly influenced his understanding of injustice and commitment to nonviolent resistance. Satyagraha challenged prevailing power structures and cultural norms by offering an alternative resistance mode emphasizing ethical principles and nonviolent action's transformative potential. The study highlights the interconnectedness of truth, love, and self-suffering as core tenets, informing Gandhi's approach to social and political change. It also illuminates Satyagraha's lasting legacy in South Africa and its influence on subsequent movements.
Conclusion: Satyagraha, born from specific cultural encounters in South Africa, provides a profound framework for understanding and engaging in ethical resistance against oppression in various contexts. It offers enduring lessons for contemporary struggles for social justice and nonviolent change
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