Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (1888–1975) was an Indian academic, philosopher, and statesman. He was also an influential political figure—he served as vice-president 1952–62 and then president 1962–67 of India.
Born in Thiruttani near present-day Chennai, Radhakrishnan was educated in Christian-run establishments. He taught philosophy at the Mysore and Calcutta universities and became the first Spalding Professor of Eastern Religions and Ethics at Oxford University (1936–39,) where he had previously taught comparative religion.
Radhakrishnan is universally recognized as one of India’s foremost ambassadors of Indian philosophy, religion, and culture throughout the East and the West. His works such as Indian Philosophy (1923–27,) The Philosophy of the Upaniṣads (1924,) The Hindu View of Life (1927,) An Idealist View of Life (1929,) Eastern Religions and Western Thought (1939,) Religion and Society (1947,) The Bhagavadgītā (1948,) The Principal Upaniṣads (1953,) and Indian Religions (1979) introduced classical Indian philosophy (the Advaita Vedānta) to the West. Simultaneously, he attempted to present elements of Western idealism into contemporary Indian philosophy.
As a philosopher, Radhakrishnan was a prolific critic of all forms of exclusiveness, dogmatism, and intolerance.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
We become more religious in proportion to our readiness to doubt and not our willingness to believe.
—Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
Man is a paradoxical being—the constant glory and scandal of this world.
—Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
It is not God that is worshipped but the group or authority that claims to speak in His name. Sin becomes disobedience to authority not violation of integrity.
—Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
Topics: Religion
If there is a single goal for all civilization, it does not mean that all shall speak a common tongue or profess a common creed, or that all shall live under a single government, or all shall follow an unchanging pattern in customs and manners. The unity of civilization is not to be sought in uniformity but in harmony. Every great culture is due to the blending of peoples of different ideals and temperaments. Egypt and Babylon, India and China, Greece and Rome, testify to this truth. Today the circle of those who participate in the cultural synthesis has become wider and includes practically the whole world. The faith of the future is in co-operation and not identification, in accommodation to fellowmen and not imitation of them, in toleration and not absolutism.
—Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
Wondering Whom to Read Next?
Swami Vivekananda Indian Hindu Monk, Mystic
Sri Aurobindo Indian Mystic, Philosopher, Poet
Jiddu Krishnamurti Indian Philosopher
Mother Teresa Roman Catholic Nun
Rabindranath Tagore Bengali Poet, Polymath
Swami Krishnananda Indian Hindu Philosopher
Swami Chinmayananda Indian Hindu Spiritual Teacher
Paramahansa Yogananda Indian Hindu Mystic
C. V. Raman Indian Physicist
Indira Gandhi Indian Head of State