Essay – The real is rational and the rational is real
The real is rational and the rational is real Essay: “The real is rational and the rational is real” is arguably the most well-known passage in Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel’s philosophical treatise documented in the Preface to The Philosophy of Right. Hegel referred to his dialectic process of the thesis as the ‘tridactic’ method. Hegel elucidated his ‘ the real is rational and the rational is real’ as “Absolute spirit expresses itself through nature, humans, and everything in the world.” Rationality is principally the human inclination to be inquisitive seeking answers to various versions of the truth.
Discussion
The Renaissance period ushered in a transition from blind allegiance to dogmatic traditions to a modern age of inquiry of mind and logical reasoning in 15th to 16th Century Europe. Philosophers during the Renaissance period such as Descartes, Leibniz and Spinoza were the forerunners who endeavoured to replicate the strain of the inquisition of the Classical Ages. They argued Rationalism as the inherent human tendency to acquire knowledge through reasoning.
Rationalism in India can be traced back to the schools of thought of Charvak, Buddha, Mahavir and Babasaheb Ambedkar.
The Indian constitution recognizes the need for rationalism and acknowledgement of reality as imperative for the development of the nation. The Fundamental Duties encoded in Article 51 A(h) incorporated through the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act 1976 states that every citizen should inculcate scientific temperament, humanitarian sensibility and inquisitiveness for the nation’s development. For instance, in order to implement the Fundamental Rights encoded in Articles 12 through 35 in part III of the constitution such as the right to equality and right against discrimination on the basis of caste, creed, religion and race are based on scientific principles that all human beings are equal before the law. In contradiction to deeply held religious beliefs which would lead to religious conflict between individuals, citizens with rational thought would identify each individual as human being prior to assigning them identities based on religion. It facilitates individuals to recognize the truth that all individuals have rights that they can exercise as long as others’ rights are not hindered.
The Indian Judicial System is based on the principles of seeking the truth through the spirit of inquiry with reasoning as its essence. The philosophy of the Indian Judiciary is “Satyameva Jayate” which translates to “The truth is victorious.” For instance, social evils based on caste-based discrimination such as untouchability emanated from misconstrued religious thoughts and beliefs. The practice of Sati in which women were burnt in the same pyre as their late husbands stemmed from regressive socio-cultural beliefs. Social reformers such as Raja Rammohan Roy and Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar were harbingers of the rational process of thought compelling the entire society to inquire about the credibility and ethics of such practices.
Discussion
To conclude, rationality and reality are two sides of the same coin. A rational thought process is required to uncover the ultimate reality on the other hand the ultimate reality can only be comprehended with a rational mind. A rational mind is one that is devoid of sentient, emotion, and rigidly held beliefs. It is a sense of thought that focuses completely on the objectivity of facts rather than being influenced by passion.
FAQs related to The real is rational and the rational is real
Q1. How does Hegel explain rationality?
Ans: Hegel referred to his dialectic process of thesis as the ‘tridactic’ method. Hegel elucidated his ‘ the real is rational and the rational is real’ as “Absolute spirit expresses itself through nature, humans, and everything in the world.” Rationality is principally the human inclination to be inquisitive seeking answers to various versions of the truth.
Q2. How does the Indian Constitution recognize rationality?
Ans: The Indian constitution recognizes the need for rationalism and acknowledgement of reality as imperative for the development of the nation. The Fundamental Duties encoded in Article 51 A(h) incorporated through the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act 1976.
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