Studies in Modern Jewish and Hindu Thought

Modern Jewish and Hindu thought reflect how two ancient civilisations transformed themselves in the modern era and now make their mark in contemporary history. The studies focus on certain commonalities of interest: the critique of civilisation, the concept of labour, self-definition vis a vis east and west, the pursuit of realisation either individually or collectively, the use of evolution as a resource concept, and the critique of nationalism which ran parallel to its pursuit. The thinkers discussed include Mahatma Gandhi, Max Nordau, A. D. Gordon, Martin Buber, Sri Aurobindo, Rav Kook and Rabindranath Tagore, setting up a dialogue in retrospect which still has relevance for our own time. This is seen not least in the emerging of a conception of secularity which yet derives an unmistakable ambience from the cultural histories of the respective peoples.