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Philosopher of the week Transcript

Gandhi speaks:

My name is Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. I was born in 1869 and I was assassinated in 1948. My leadership in India freed my people, and taught the world that violence doesn’t always pay. My ethics and principles are easily understood, but not so easily followed. When asked about my ethical foundations, I said:

"I will give you a talisman. Whenever you are in doubt, or when the self becomes too much with you, apply the following test. Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest man [or woman] whom you may have seen, and ask yourself, if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him [or her]. Will he [or she] gain anything by it? Will it restore him [or her] to a control over his [or her] own life and destiny? In other words, will it lead to swaraj, [meaning freedom] for the hungry and spiritually starving millions? Then you will find your doubts and yourself melt away."

Can you follow this talisman? Can you hold it close and let it help you find freedom and truth? I hope that you can. Please, read the lecturette about my life and I hope that it provides you with some guidance for following the right path. If you have further questions about my views, there are links on the lecturettes where you can do more research about me. In today’s world of violence and pain, can you let my life mean something more? I ask you to do so.