Publisher's Synopsis
INTRODUCTION I] Need of the Study and the Perspective Behind While undertaking my post-graduate studies, I realized that in the present situation of globalization, humankind all over the world is facing problems of identity and misunderstanding. There is substantial crisis on account of the improper conceptions of humanity and religion. The present research initially began as an earnest inquiry into the age-old questions: Who am I? What is the purpose of life? How should I live? etc. As a non-Indian - facing the question of identity .and trying to transcend a narrow world view - the present study has put forth- a un que opportunity to begin to understand the Indian philosophical traditions from a Western perspective. Using Radhakrishnan's writings as a basis for the said exploration, it is an attempt to understand his conceptions of religions and comparison. It has been a privilege of the present researcher to develop a more insightful philosophical understanding. It should be kept in mind, however, that the present researcher is an "outsider" attempting to grasp the intricate nuances of a wide and deep tradition. Furthermore, Radhakrishnan is a relative "insider" attempting to make his positions known in the idiom of the Western scholars. This dynamic is essential to keep in mind. Understandably, such an investigation of truth is not merely a private pursuit only. The present endeavour is likewise the selfsame need of our world community at large. Eventually, as a global village, our collective search for identity and understanding must naturally give rise to a more important quest for inter-religious harmony- in terms of both meaningful dialogue and collaborative unity. It has been pointed-out by this study that there is certainly a great need for more research within Radhakrishnan's voluminous corpus of writings with regard to inter-religious dialogue. Reviewing the body of secondary sources currently available . in the domain of Radhakrishnan's philosophy, the present work has observed that many scholars have carefully examined a number of topics within his philosophical system: his epistemology, ethics, metaphysics, the specific doctrines like goals of life, etc., and an extensive array of comparative studies between Radhakrishnan and his European philosophical counterparts. Relatively, however, little research has been conducted with regard to his approach to comparative religion. It is clear from,
