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Topic: Reflections on the Re-awakening East

Bertrand Russell

Asif Seemab SindhuAsstt Prof English

DADC

Bertrand Arthur William Russell, 3rd Earl Russell (18 May 1872 – 2 Feb 1970) British philosopher, logician, mathematician, historian and social criticAn anti-war activistAnti-imperialistFor Nuclear disarmament, criticized Soviet totalitarianism, and the United States of America's involvement in the Vietnam WarNobel Prize in Literature-1950

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Russell in this ChapterA profound historianAn advocate of Peace and Prosperity to the world in

general and to Asia in particularAn anti-communistAn opponent of warBeliever of Heterogeneous CulturesReservations with Industrialization and Science Staunch believer of the importance of Aestheticism,

Performing Arts and Fine Arts in human lifeAn Optimist in an UNCERTAIN and HOSTILE

WORLD

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The history of Alterations of Power between East and West

a) Ancient Eastern cultural and political supremacy i)Indus civilization (Moen jo Daro-4500 years back) ii)Persian Empire (Greek Contemporaries)established by

Cyrus the Great in 6th century B.C(522-486 )b) 1st Phase of European dominance i) Greek civilization ii) Alexander and his conquests iii) Roman Empire

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2nd Phase of Eastern SupremacyFall of the Roman Empire Great Caliphate of Mohammadan world

Chinese Empire------Tang Dynasty

The Dark Ages

Al-Andalus (Spain)

New Western Imperialisma.PIONEERS i. Christopher Columbus ii. Vasco da Gama

b. Domination through Advancement of Science & Technology

• East was out distanced from the beginning of 16th Century

• Western conquests and influences dominated the world till 19th century.

• Europe enfeebled again • German & other Occidental wars • Emergence and execution of Communist

Philosophy ( 1917 RED Revolution)7

2nd Phase of European Dominance

Russell on CommunismMost modern and virulent form of Western ImperialismDegraded form of Western Culture.Moscow and Peking alliance—a threat to Europe.If Asia reawakens : Should not follow communism because it is detrimental to humanity and civilization.

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a. A source for preserving independence and being powerful as:

19th Century England and USSR and USA of todayb. Redundant Protests: i) Protests in England ii) Thomas Carlyle’s (1795-1881) Past and

Present A direct response to the economic crisis of the

1840s.  iii) Gandhi’s Philosophy and Movement of

‘Spinning Wheel’. The most significant unifying symbol of the

Nationalist Movement in India  

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Russell on Industrialization

Russell on Wara.Most sinister•Camouflaged in scientific advancementsb. What Asian countries should do?•Not to turn struggle for independence into War or desire for conquest.To remain impartial if the 3rd World War breaks out between Super Powers (USSR & USA).To value their own traditional civilization and not to be swamped by any western thinking

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Russell on Cultural Uniformity

Trifle and absurd to think Asia as a Unity and an ONLY opposition to Western ImperialismNo Civilization has ever been so cosmopolitan (universal)Three distinct Asian civilizations: a)Islam b)India c)China.

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Condemnsa.The Lust of Power over other human beings b.The Militaristic Mechanization No exploitation of other nations througha.Control over ENERGY Resources b.INGENUITYA relation of Mutual RespectUncertainty, Apprehension and Hope are rational but it is only HOPE which is beneficial

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Russell’s Panoramic View of the World’s Horizon

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