S. Radhakrishnan’s Views on Materialism

Abstract

This paper argues that while analysing the philosophy of Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, it is necessary to undermine the dichotomy of materialism and spiritualism to comprehend the Indian philosophy. Thus, the study places concepts expressed by Radhakrishnan into historical and cultural context discussing his critique of conservatism and liberalism, the need to integrate spirit and matter, and finally, recognizing the Indian materialist tradition. Another part of the paper enlightens the views of reformers, which were Raja Rammohun Roy, Swami Vivekananda, and Gautama Buddha was shown in the light of Radhakrishnan’s views. It also demonstrates the relevance of materialism as a subject matter in Indian philosophical orientation in relation to society and morality of the current century.