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Enlightenment or Unenlightenment of our Nature – Plato
Following is taken from Plato’s Republic Book VII (translated by C. D. C. Reeve) SOCRATES: Next, then, compare the effect of education and that of the lack of it on our nature to an experience like this. Imagine human beings living in an underground, cavelike dwelling, with an entrance a long way up that is open to the light and as wide as the cave itself. They have been there since childhood, with their necks and legs fettered, so that they are fixed in the same place, able to see only in front of them because their fetter prevents them from turning their heads around. Light is provided by a…
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Prophet Muhammad (saw) in the Qur’an
“Proclaim! In the name of thy Lord and Cherisher, who created – created man, out of a leech-like clot. Proclaim! And thy Lord is Most Bountiful, – He who taught (the use of) Pen, – Taught man that which he knew not.” – Qur’an, Iqraa (Alaq) 1-5 With these words started what would become a source of guidance for millions of people around the world. The declaration or proclamation of which was to be done ”in the name of God” – the Creator. It wasn’t for any personal benefits to the Prophet (saw) who would soon suffer persecution, sorrow, and suffering. No, he was not seized with madness (7:184) nor…
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Relevance of Indian Philosophical Thought
The Indian subcontinent happens to be the home to one of the oldest human civilizations in the world. This civilization that thrived in this part of the world has passed on to us an enormous wealth of literature that deals not just with ethical and moral codes, but also with Philosophy and Science. One of the defining characteristics of the Indian Civilization was its approach to knowledge. While the Greeks would develop sciences for the sake of sciences or they would gain knowledge for the want of knowledge, Indians would have a different world view altogether. They would develop sciences both for the sake of spiritual as well as mundane…
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Intelligence or Good Looks
Historically “white”, “male”, “middle class”, “straight men” have been able to use their minds and not their bodies in order to become valuable in western culture and elsewhere – and they were employed as high-paid decision-makers. In contrast, ethnic minority, female, working-class, trans and queer people have generally had to rely on their bodies in their working lives – in manual, domestic, reproductive, or slave labour, or even sex work. Belonging to a social group whose value is defined through the body is generally a sign of your subordination, which explains why women have been long paying a lot of attention to their bodies and why so many young men…
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Proclaim! All of you who care, Proclaim!
Proclaim! You the reader, Proclaim! “In what capacity do I proclaim? In whose name do I proclaim?” “Proclaim, in the name of your Lord who created man from (what you could never imagine it could be made from. A thing nothing in its essence, then what is it that fills you with arrogance.)” “Proclaim, the fact that your Lord is the most Bounteous (for it is he who has given all that he has given to anyone who has anything. There is nothing to be proud about).” Proclaim! You who has lost courage, Proclaim! “What do I tell them who it is that taught me what to proclaim?” “(Proclaim that…
Renaissance, Reformation, Enlightenment
