Gandhi and non violence

Gandhi criticized modern civilization because he argued that it glorifies the elevation of material progress over spiritual and moral values. He argues that modern civilization has resulted in human exploitation, environmental destruction, and a deterioration of human dignity. That is due to the fact that modern civilization promotes self-interest and is obsessed with the accumulation of wealth and power, which leads to a sense of alienation from others and nature. The only way to address these problems was to reject modern civilization´s values and embrace a more spiritual lifestyle based on Indian traditions.

In Hind Swaraj, Gandhi outlines his vision of a new society based on self-reliance and spiritual well-being. He believed that this society could be achieved through the practice of swadeshi, or self-sufficiency, and the rejection of Western technology and industrialization. Related to this point, he criticized utilitarianism arguing that it cannot provide a satisfactory moral foundation for society. He believed that the utilitarian approach focused blindly on material progress and economic growth, at the expense of values such as compassion, justice, and human dignity, being an ethical theory that encouraged a self-interest mentality and competition, rather than cooperation and mutual support. This emphasis on the protection of individual autonomy and human dignity can be seen as influenced by Raskin's rejection of utilitarianism.

Tolstoy's thoughts also inspired Gandhi, particularly in his emphasis on the importance of individual conscience and the rejection of oppressive structures of power. Gandhi felt that the modern state and organized religion were both to blame for people's exploitation and suffering and that individuals not only should reject these institutions but also follow their moral compass. In order to be able to follow their moral compass, Individuals are required to develop their moral and spiritual capacities. In the same way that Kant spoke of enlightenment, Gandhi thought of self-realization as a process in which individuals found their true selves and their meaning in the world. Self-realization required a commitment to non-violence, truth, and service to others, as well as rejection of any form of self-interest, differing from Kant's view which only appealed to reason.

Self-realization is a personal goal, but more importantly: it is also a social and political goal. He argued that individuals had a responsibility to work towards creating a just and equitable society. He believed that humans are not self-interested by nature, but rather that our natural state is one of compassion and desire to connect with others and with the world around us. This vision of cooperation, community, and service is against Hobbes´ notion of self-preservation, which emphasizes competition and individualism.

Finally, Thoreau's emphasis on individual conscience and the obligation to disobey unjust laws resonated strongly with Gandhi, who also believed in the power of nonviolent resistance and individual moral responsibility. Gandhi saw civil disobedience as a way to challenge oppressive structures of power and to promote social and political change. Thoreau's writings on nature also had a significant influence on Gandhi's philosophy. Nature is seen as a source of spiritual renewal and as a way to connect with the divine, being humans' responsibility to protect and preserve nature.

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