Anarchism in India - Non-government Philosophy in Ancient Hindu Thought

Non-government Philosophy in Ancient Hindu Thought

In ancient Hindu thought, there are predecessors to the concept of a stateless society; for example, the Satya Yuga is often described as a possible anarchist society in which people govern themselves based on the universal law of dharma. But, at the same time while a stateless society is seen as a possibility, much of Hindu political thought focuses on the inherently mixed nature of man (benign and malign) and therefore of the divine right of kings to govern so long as they protect the people from harm; in the event that kings do not govern on the basis of dharma, Chanakya sutras allow that it is better not to have a king than have one who is wanting in discipline. This contrasts with the Western notion of a universal divine right of kings regardless of the consequences.

Read more about this topic:  Anarchism In India

Famous quotes containing the words philosophy, ancient and/or thought:

    A philosopher once said, “Half of good philosophy is good grammar.”
    A.P. Martinich (b. 1946)

    Here lies a man who was killed by lightning;
    He died when his prospects seemed to be brightening.
    He might have cut a flash in this world of trouble,
    But the flash cut him, and he lies in the stubble.
    Anonymous. From Booth, Epigrams Ancient and Modern (1863)

    I have thought of a pulley to raise me gradually; but that would give me pain, as it would counteract my natural inclination. I would have something that can dissipate the vis inertiae and give elasticity to the muscles.... We can heat the body, we can cool it; we can give it tension or relaxation; and surely it is possible to bring it into a state in which rising from bed will not be a pain.
    Samuel Johnson (1709–1784)