Sunday, February 13, 2011

RAIMON PANIKKAR MEMORIAL LECTURES 2011

FACULTY OF PHILOSOPHY
Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram, Bangalore




“LOVE OF WISDOM AND WISDOM OF LOVE: A DIALOGICAL PHILOSOPHY OF RAIMON PANIKKAR”


Prof. Dr. Cherian Menacherry, CMI
Professor of Systematic Theology

Date and Time: February 14, 2011; 2.30 pm
Venue: Multimedia Hall, DVK Central Library


PROGRAMME

Invocation: Philosophy Students

Welcome: Dr. Saju Chackalackal, CMI, Dean (Philosophy)

Biographical Sketch on Raimon Painkkar: Prof. Dr. Francis Thonippara, CMI, Professor of Church History and President, DVK

Personal Reminiscences: Prof. Dr. Francis Vineeth, CMI

Lecture and Discussion:
“Love of Wisdom and Wisdom of Love: A Dialogical Philosophy of Raimon Panikkar”

Speaker: Prof. Dr. Cherian Menacherry, CMI, Professor of Systematic Theology
Moderator: Dr. Jose Nandhikkara, CMI, Director, CSWR

Vote of Thanks: Fr. Jojo Parecattil, CMI

DVK Anthem


ALL STUDENTS OF THE FACULTY OF PHILOSOPHY ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND THIS LECTURE ON RAIMON PANIKKAR




February 14, 2011 Dr. Saju Chackalackal, CMI
DVK, Bangalore Dean, Faculty of Philosophy, DVK

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

PANIKKAR LECTURES

Faculty of Philosophy (DVK)
in Collaboration with the Department of Philosophy (Christ University), Centre for the Study of World Religions (CSWR), and Association of Christian Philosophers of India (ACPI)
Offers the First Session of the
National Seminar in Memory of Raimon Panikkar (1918-2010)
on
“LOVE OF WISDOM AND WISDOM OF LOVE: A DIALOGICAL PHILOSOPHY OF RAIMON PANIKKAR”
Speaker: Dr. Cherian Menacherry CMI

Date and Time: Monday, 14 February 2011; 2.30 PM
Venue: Multimedia Hall, DVK Central Library

All Are Cordially Invited!

Dr. Saju Chackalackal CMI
Dean, Faculty of Philosophy, DVK
HoD, Department of Philosophy, CU

Friday, September 10, 2010

PAUL WIEGELMANN ANNUAL LECTURES ON ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES 2010-2011 - programmes

PAUL WIEGELMANN ANNUAL LECTURES ON ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES 2010-2011
Centre for Environmental Studies
Faculty of Philosophy, Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram

WE ALL ARE GUESTS ON EARTH!
A Global Christian Vision for Climate Change

Prof. Dr. Christoph Stueckelberger
Professor of Ethics &
Founder and Executive Director of Globethics.net, Geneva, Switzerland

Date: September 10, 2010
Venue: DVK Auditorium, DVK Administrative Block

PROGRAMME
09.15 am Session I: Inauguration
Master of Ceremonies: Sibomana N. Juvanel, Licentiate in Philosophy
Invocation: I & II MA Philosophy Students
Lighting the Lamp
Welcome and Introduction of the Speaker: Dr. Saju Chackalackal, Dean,
Faculty of Philosophy
Inaugural Message: Rev. Prof. Dr. Francis Thonippara, President

09.45 am Session II
Lecture 1: “Welcome as Guests on Earth: Eco-Theology, Eco-Spirituality, and
Eco-Ethics”
Lecture 2: “Contextual and Global Environmental Ethics: Interreligious
Perspectives”
Moderator: Dr. Lucose Chamakala, Associate Professor of Moral Theology
Launching of Dharmaram Greens: Dr. Christoph Stueckelberger and Dr. Sebastian
Alackapally

10.50 am Tea/Coffee Break

11.10 am Session III
Lecture 3: “Climate Justice”
Lecture 4: “Is It Too Late or Is There Hope?”
Moderator: Prof. Dr. Kurian Kachappilly, Professor of Philosophy

12.30 pm Session IV: Book Release and Conclusion
Appreciation: Dr. Shaji Kochuthara
Book Release: Prof. Dr. Jose Kuriedath releases the book by giving a copy of We All Are Guests on Earth! by Christoph Stueckelberger to Prof. Dr. V. F. Vineeth
Presentation of the Book: Prof. Dr. V. F. Vineeth, Director, Vidyavanam, Bangalore
Concluding Message: Prof. Dr. Christoph Stueckelberger
Vote of Thanks: Maxim D’Souza, Licentiate in Philosophy
DVK Anthem

September 7, 2010 Dr. Saju Chackalackal, CMI
DVK, Bangalore Director, Centre for Environmental Studies &
Dean, Faculty of Philosophy, DVK

PAUL WIEGELMANN ANNUAL LECTURES ON ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES BY PROF. DR. CHRISTOPH STÜCKELBERGER

PAUL WIEGELMANN ANNUAL LECTURES ON ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES BY PROF. DR. CHRISTOPH STÜCKELBERGER
September 10, 2010
Dr. Saju Chackalackal

Respected Prof. Dr. Christoph Stückelberger, Professor of Ethics and the Founder and Executive Director of Globeethics.net, Geneva, Switzerland and the speaker of today’s Paul Wiegelmann Annual Lectures on Environmental Studies 2010-2011, Prof. Dr. Fr. Francis Thonippara, our President, invited guests, superiors from various campus houses and seminaries, all the staff of the faculty of philosophy, fathers, sisters, brothers and dear friends,
Let me begin with a simple question, related to your ordinary observation: Have you seen those little sparrows around Bangalore, which were otherwise found in villages and remote areas? There used to be plenty of them, flocking together, flying from one small tree to another; their chirping sounds would have never gone unnoticed. We would have been happy to locate one of their nests on a small bush. Unfortunately, they are no more around. The innovative ways of communication and entertainment are said to be the culprits; they include our telecommunication towers which send out high intensity electronic signals which have adversely affected those birds; it is said that even if the existing birds lay eggs, they cannot even hatched. In the wake of the spurting growth of technology and economy, we have not even the time to notice that they all are gone! Human individuals have changed; the society has changed; nature has been changed and, consequently, the climate is changing, constantly and drastically.
Bangalore as a fast developing city may be taken as a token example for what development can do positively and negatively towards life. While we see the best of it in the form of increasing number of attractive jobs in the IT and BPO industries and the related fields, including the real estate boom and price rice, and all the amenities that come with a better access to resources and enhanced purchasing power even among the middle class, we also witness to the fact that unplanned and improperly monitored growth of Bangalore has brought about havoc to the people and to the nature. Indeed, years ago, we were proud to qualify Bangalore as the Garden City; but not any more! Most of the trees and other greeneries are cut away, water resources are depleted and dried up, and natural habitats of a number of animals and birds have been encroached to make room for the influx of the people and their amenities. As the new economic policies have enabled at least a section of the society to have better access to wealth through the new avenues of business and development, their irresponsible use of the same has resulted in the increase of pollution levels in Bangalore, which is said to be on par with most of the worst affected cities around the world. The state authorities who are expected to initiate responsible actions to set things right are found to be unconcerned about the civic sense and civic justice to such an extent that ultimately there is no one to assume and exercise responsible roles that would characterise a democracy. As the days go by, the woes that the people and nature experience are only on the increase. Left to itself, we do not foresee any immediate intervention which would set things right.
However, as political action fails, we cannot consider that therefore the society fails. When the leadership in a democracy becomes irresponsible and non-responsive to the issues that the society faces, especially those which would require urgent attention to set things right for the present as well as for the future generations, I would consider that it is the responsibility of the people to initiate movements and to develop institutions that would create an awareness and call for action from grassroot levels. This, indeed, is to be pioneered by research and educational institutions, especially as they have a greater responsibility and better reach to the younger minds who, if conscientized and convinced, would be prompted to concerted positive action. It is here we have hope: hope in the youngsters who would take up the responsibility of setting things right, for providing a better nature and better climate, together providing a healthy ambience for life.
Dharmaram is not only a garden of virtues, as its name stands for; it is literally a garden filled with greenery, flowers and fruits that the Mother Earth has blessed us with. In fact, having so much of green amidst the erstwhile “Garden City” of Bangalore is a big surprise to may people who enter our campus. Let us thank God and all those who have been instrumental in maintaining the green in our campus, which in a way functions as an antidote to the increasing pollution level of the Bangalore City. Though our contribution may not completely resolve the issue, what we contribute in terms of the greenery and eco-friendly practices would definitely become a solace to the havoc that the metro-city of Bangalore does to nature and the climate.
The great visionary who planned and started Dharmaram Campus, late Bishop Jonas Thaliath of happy memories, had a vision of harmony of life as the foundational source as well as the goal of Christian mission. In tune with this vision, he had masterminded Dharmaram in such a way that nature was nurtured all through her existence and mission. As the Faculty of Philosophy has evolved out of the pioneering vision of Bishop Jonas, during the celebration of the silver jubilee of the Faculty of Philosophy, in an editorial of the Journal of Dharma, the Dharmaram international quarterly journal of religions and philosophies, I suggested that we should start a new centre to that would cater to the new thrust of environmental studies, ecological justice, etc. Later, it was approved by the concerned academic bodies and, thus, the Centre for Environmental Studies was established under the Faculty of Philosophy. Immediately after the establishment of the Centre, we had started offering academic programmes to our students, and I thank very specially Dr. Sebastian Alackapally, the foremost nature lover on the campus, for having offered various courses to our students in this regard.
It was during the last academic year, a very devout Christian Family living in a remote village of Germany, the family of Wiegelmann, consisting of one sister and brother, Ottilie and Paul, who are known to me for years, contacted me at the demise of the brother. His name is Paul Wiegelmann, in whose name the annual lectures of the Centre for Environmental Studies are instituted. He was a committed farmer and an enthusiastic nature lover. He lived most of his life in a village called Bruchhausen am Steinen, near Olsberg in Germany. All through his life, he worked with nature; he in fact loved the nature to such an extent that he was proud of it. I remember him taking me around, especially to his ranch house. He was always so close to nature to such an extent that he did not want to harm it unnecessarily and before his death he had shared with his sister and friends that he would not have flowers on his grave, but asked all his family and friends to spare the money for the cause of a Christian mission in India. It was the money that came from his funeral service that is the foundational fund for the Centre for Environmental Studies at DVK. Hence, we thought of naming the annual lectures in his name and it is, therefore, christened as “Paul Wiegelmann Annual Lectures on Environmental Studies,” the first session of which is held today. I gratefully remember and thank Ottilie Wiegelmann for instituting and facilitating these annual lectures.
As I was on the look out for identifying a person to deliver Paul Wiegelmann Annual Lectures on Environmental Studies, I was so happy to have met Prof. Dr. Christoph Stückelberger, who has association with environmental studies over a period of three decades. His passion to involve in ethical issues related to environment in general and climate justice related issues in particular is well known. The passion for ethics in relation to environmental ethics, development ethics, peace ethics, etc., has inspired him to bring in more conscientious persons into ethical deliberation. This has taken him to greater heights to launching an internet based foundation called globethics.net, which has transformed him into an efficient executive as well. However, I am happy to note that Dr. Christoph has not lost his passion for academic research, which is so praiseworthy.
Prof. Dr. Christoph Stückelberger is Founder and Executive Director of the global network on ethics Globethics.net, based in Geneva, Switzerland. He is a part-time Professor of Ethics at the University of Basel. He awarded a PhD for his doctoral dissertation on “Peace Ethics” and his habilitation (“second thesis”) was on “Environmental Ethics.” His main fields of research are economic ethics, finance ethics, political ethics, development ethics, and environmental ethics. He is regularly visiting professor in developing countries, especially in Africa and Asia.
He has published as author and editor many books and hundreds of articles on applied ethics, in seven languages, among others on Responsible Leadership, Global Trade Ethics, Peace Ethics, Consumer Ethics, Work Ethics, Corruption, Interreligious Ethics, Development Ethics, Fundamental Values, etc.
Moreover, Dr. Christoph was founder and president of Transparency International Switzerland, member of the Commission for International Cooperation of the Swiss Government, member of the Swiss Ethics Committee on Non-Human Biotechnology of the Swiss Government, director of the Development Organisation “Bread for All,” president of the international microfinance institution “ECLOF International” working in 30 developing countries, member and consultant of various ethics committees of Swiss Banks and other companies.
All in all, Dr. Christoph has been a successful academician as well as the founder and executive director of globethcis.net, the Indian chapter of which has been founded yesterday, during a meeting that was convened at our Dharmaram College. I am indeed happy that we have Dr. Christoph with us to deliver the first Paul Wiegelmann Annual Lectures on Environmental Studies under the auspices of the Centre for Environmental Studies in the Faculty of Philosophy. Today, he will speak on “We All Are Guests on Earth! A Global Christian Vision for Climate Justice,” which will make us realize the challenges and prospects that we have as we go ahead with our daily living in the milieu of the globalized and globalizing India. As the nature is being excessively used by the vested interests, supported by the political powers and manipulated by the market and media, only conscientious deliberations and practices would pave the right way for conscious just action. As we experience the climatic changes, and the total unpredictability of nature as the years go by, the concerns are no more futuristic, but they are so existential that we have no time to wait to see whether something adverse would take place at all. In fact, all of are on the verge of destruction, which may happen today or tomorrow. It becomes all the more difficult that we do not see it as obviously as it should have been. However, I am sure that these lectures that Prof. Christoph would offer us this morning would definitely indicate a critical analysis of the present scenario and call for concerted action. Hence, in the name of the President of DVK, the staff and students of the Faculty of Philosophy, and all those who have gathered here, I am happy and proud to extend a very warm and cordial welcome to Prof. Dr. Christoph Stückelberger to deliver the “Paul Wiegelmann Annual Lectures on “We All Are Guests on Earth! A Global Christian Vision for Climate Justice.”
I am also glad to welcome Rev. Prof. Dr. Francis Thonippara CMI, the president of Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram to this first formal programme of the Centre for Environmental Studies. In fact, I am happy to inform you that it was his encouragement and unrelenting support that made the establishment of this centre and to design its programmes. While thanking Prof. Francis Thonippara, our president for all that he had been contributing to the cause of enhancing environmental consciousness among our staff and students, I very cordially welcome him to this Paul Wiegelmann Annual Lectures on Environmental Studies.
I am happy to see that there are many professors and students from the Faculty of Theology, Institute of Oriental Canon Law, the Institute of Spirituality and Counselling, and also from our neighbouring institutions who have come over here to participate in this annual lecture. Dear Friends, your presence is a testimony to the fact that the cause for which the Centre for Environmental Studies has been established is noble and that there are many who consider it to be of great importance. Therefore, I am very happy to have all of you with us for these lectures and may I extend to you a warm welcome.
Finally and most importantly, I am very much encouraged by the presence of my colleagues and the students in the Faculty of Philosophy, who are the backbone of the faculty as well as the spirit behind the success of every programme that we conduct. I recall the hard work that my companions as well as my beloved students have put in to set the required things for this meeting. For example, we have a very special art work prepared by the final year theology student and artist Sebeesh Vettiyadan and his collaborators, and Jeff Shawn Jose and Raphy Kadavi and their companions who are behind the innovative concept of “Green Punch,” which will be launched towards the end of the first session. They all have put in the best to make the whole event a memorable and successful one. I am grateful to all of them, very especially all student volunteers who support the cause of the Centre for Environmental Studies. Although they need not be formally welcomed, let me cordially extend a very warm welcome to all my colleagues and students in the Faculty of Philosophy. Welcome, my dear friends!
I welcome you all once again to this Paul Wiegelmann Annual Lectures on “We All Are Guests on Earth! A Global Christian Vision for Climate Justice,” and hoping that the enlightenment we receive from these lectures offered by Prof. Dr. Christoph Stückelberger would sensitise all of us and propel us into further action for the establishment and re-establishment of justice in all nature related areas, especially to stand for climate justice, come what may! We need to save ourselves, which would be possible only by saving the whole nature, of which we are only a numerically insignificant part, but the most significant partner in the whole saga of nature destruction! Correspondingly, if proactive, our decisions will make a significant difference. Hence, let us remember, my dear friends that the ball is in our court, and we need to play on, play on consciously and proactively, whereby we would be saved by saving the nature and protecting the climate.
Wishing you a wonderful and fruitful time with Prof. Christoph, I remain. Thank you!

Thursday, August 26, 2010

DHARMA ENDOWMENT LECTURES 2010-2011

DHARMA ENDOWMENT LECTURES 2010-2011
Faculty of Philosophy, Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram

CHANGING PATTERNS OF THOUGHT
Philosophy as Interpersonal Communication

Prof. Dr. Thomas Kadankavil, CMI
Professor of Moral Philosophy
Faculty of Philosophy, DVK, Bangalore

Date: August 26-27, 2010
Venue: DVK Auditorium, DVK Administrative Block

PROGRAMME
Thursday, 26 August 2010
09.15 am Inaugural Session
Invocation: I & II MA Philosophy Students
Lighting the Lamp
Welcome: Dr. Saju Chackalackal, Dean (Philosophy)
Inaugural Message: Rev. Prof. Dr. Francis Thonippara, President

10.00 am Lecture I
“Dialogical Philosophy of Plato”
Moderator: Dr. Sebastian Alackapally

10.50 am Tea/Coffee Break

11.10 am Lecture II & III
Session 1: “Philosophy in Process Track”
Session 2: “Constructive versus Destructive Postmodernism”
Moderator: Prof. Dr. Kurian Kachappilly

Friday, 27 August 2010
09.15 am Lecture IV & V
Session 1: “Interpretation of Religious Scriptures from Asian Context”
Session 2: “Fellowship in Religious Experience”
Moderator: Dr. Jose Nandhikkara

10.50 am Tea/Coffee Break

11.10 am Lecture VI
“Homogenization of Cultures and Little Traditions”
Moderator: Dr. Mathew Chandrankunnel

12.15 pm Concluding Session
Appreciation 1: Dr. Wilson Edattukaran
Appreciation 2: Jeff Shawn Jose
Book Release: Prof. Dr. V. F. Vineeth releases the book by giving a copy of Changing Patterns of Thought by Thomas Kadankavil to Prof. Dr. Augustine Thottakara
Message: Prof. Dr. Augustine Thottakara, Rector, Dharmaram College
Concluding Message by Prof. Dr. Thomas Kadankavil
Vote of Thanks: (Student Representative)
DVK Anthem

August 26-27, 2010 Dr. Saju Chackalackal, CMI
DVK, Bangalore Dean, Faculty of Philosophy, DVK

DHARMA ENDOWMENT LECTURES 2010-2011 WELCOME SPEECH BY SAJU CHACKALACKAL

DHARMA ENDOWMENT LECTURES 2010-2011
Faculty of Philosophy, Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram

CHANGING PATTERNS OF THOUGHT
Philosophy as Interpersonal Communication

Prof. Dr. Thomas Kadankavil, CMI
Professor of Moral Philosophy
Faculty of Philosophy, DVK, Bangalore

Date: August 26-27, 2010
Venue: DVK Auditorium, DVK Administrative Block

WELCOME SPEECH
Reverend Prof. Dr. Thomas Kadankavil, the speaker of the 14th Dharma Endowment Lectures 2010-2011, Reverend and Dear Prof. Dr. Francis Thonippara, our President, Rev. Prof. Dr. Augustine Thottakara, our Rector, professors from various faculties and institutes in and around Bangalore, Campus Superiors, invited guests, staff members of DVK, respected colleagues in the Faculty of Philosophy, and my dear students, ladies and gentlemen,
Taking cue from practical experience, George Bernard Shaw once said: “The only man I know who behaves sensibly is my tailor; he takes my measurements anew each time he sees me. The rest go on with their old measurements and expect me to fit them.”
Whether we like it or not, we are changing, our life is changing, and the world around us is changing. Indeed, our thought also undergoes constant change. If we look closer at the things that we experience, there is an ongoing dynamism in reality that we identify as change. Those who identify change and are capable of responding to those changes are said to be sensible persons; those who foresee change and anticipate it at an earlier stage are called prophets. Those who are capable of initiating lasting changes for good are taken to be trend-setters. As Pauline R. Kezer puts it, while “Continuity gives us roots,” “change gives us branches, letting us stretch and grow and reach new heights.”
Developing a positive attitude towards change provides us with an ambience of growth. According to Harold Wilson, “He who rejects change is the architect of decay. The only human institution which rejects progress is the cemetery.” Human spirit is not expected to be bound by the four walls of any cemetery, as it would, then, represent a dead world. Our vocation is never to settle with what is given, but to explore newer horizons and reach greater heights, which would be further explored and unravelled in the course of time. We are never ready to settle with what is bequeathed to us; but our noble but dynamic vocation is to access those unexplored dimensions and the unseen territories of reality.
Of course, the dynamism that we identify as change is an ongoing phenomenon and a closer look at it would enable a philosopher to identify certain patterns or matrixes in the changes that happen. Over a longer period of time, the changes that get settled give rise to traditions that would gradually turn out to be the accepted practices of a society. Those who look for comfort zones are happy with the settled foundations; they would make them unchangeable to such an extent that sometimes they would challenge any attempt at changing those foundations. However, in the course of time, as these foundations turn out to be crucial in the making of societies and institutions, there arise even contempt and animosity against suggested changes, many a time even if they are for good.
There is a saying: “After you've done a thing the same way for two years, look it over carefully. After five years, look at it with suspicion. And after ten years, throw it away and start all over.” Hence, people of wisdom are of the opinion that there are no settled foundations in the presence of the ever searching human spirit; in fact, the openness with which the humanity surges ahead will only present before us those unsettled foundations, which would ever invite all of us to earnestly look forward to those new horizons that would unravel a world of unending possibilities.
The human world, though constantly partaking in the flux of reality, is a world of dynamic relationships. When it comes to the human beings, we encounter a web of interrelationship, which is the foundational matrix of our societies and states, and the most crucial ingredient of making an individual human being a whole. The role of a philosopher is to make the interrelationship matrix a consciously brought about reality that would facilitate the inherence of all the parts into a meaningful whole.
It is interesting to note that the trends of philosophizing have been changing over a period of time; sometimes for good and at other times for bad. But the ongoing change in human thought is a fact. Although there have been attempts at identifying perennial methods and perennial truths, the irrepressible human spirit has been making strides and no attempt on the part of any system or tradition had been capable of capping the search for truth as definite and final. Although this ongoing search does not amount to total relativism, the emphasis is placed on the openness that the human being is endowed with. Indeed, reason as a faculty is on the look out for systems or structures; it is interesting to note that the same reason is instrumental in taking us to new domains of thought and action, opening us to new vistas of truth and reality. The definiteness that was the mark of modern philosophy, for example, has already given way to the dynamic indefiniteness of the postmodern and the post-postmodern philosophies that have found their homes even in Catholic ecclesiastical institutions and other orthodox circles. Although such a theoretical possibility suggests the risk of relativistic thought patterns and the ensuing chaotic social structures, in truth, these are attempts to free the human spirit that was made captive to the self-declared final citadels of reason, initiated by the system-builders and trend-setters of modern philosophy and Enlightenment thought. Hence, the need for more openness on the part of philosophers and to invite them to plunge into the various processes of negotiating and re-negotiating new vistas stemming from the ever vibrant human spirit.
It is in this context that we find the relevance of this year’s Dharma Endowment Lectures theme, “Changing Patterns of Thought: Philosophy as Interpersonal Communication” by Prof. Dr. Thomas Kadankavil. We live in a postmodern era in which every foundation is being questioned, challenged, and sometimes overthrown; changes are indeed welcome and they rule the day! As we pass through the difficult times, a philosopher has the responsibility to come up with definitive but dynamic directions. As a person who has been engaged in learning and teaching philosophy over a period of 40 years, in these lectures, Prof. Kadankavil proposes to come up with his own life’s findings, suggesting that an interpersonal communication pattern is the best suited mould for meaningful philosophizing.
Dharma Endowment Lectures is an important event in the annals of Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram. Started in 1996, these lectures provide a platform for rich and powerful contemporary philosophical synthesis in view of an enriched and meaningful individual and societal existence. As we know, the very expression ‘dharma’ is so rich in meaning and philosophical resonance. It is beyond our ability to propose a single exhaustive translation to the word dharma; yet, its subtle existential sense refers to the dynamic and creative rhythm of life that has to be the substratum of everything in existence. Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram, particularly the Faculty of Philosophy, in instituting the Dharma Endowment Lectures, has a definite philosophical plan of action in view of establishing an integral vision of life among the members of our academic community and the wider public. Hence, so far, all the Dharma Endowment Lectures, 2010-2011 being the fourteenth in this series, have been dealing with philosophy from existential as well as theoretical points of view.
At the outset, I feel that the Faculty of Philosophy at DVK and all those who have gathered here are blessed and honoured by the very presence of Rev. Dr. Fr. Thomas Kadankavil, an eminent ethicist and a professor emeritus in our own Faculty of Philosophy at Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram.
Professor Emeritus Dr. Thomas Kadankavil, a member of the CMI congregation, holds a Licentiate (1968) and Doctorate in Philosophy (1972) from Gregorian University, Rome. He was awarded another PhD in Philosophy from Fordham University, New York, in 1974.
Prof. Kadankavil started his academic career of teaching philosophy at Dharmaram College, Bangalore, in 1972. After four decades of committed teaching and various other administrative involvement, he retired from full time teaching in 2002. He had served Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram as its president and the dean of the Faculty of Philosophy. He was also the director of the Centre for the Study of World Religions (CSWR) and the Chief Editor of Journal of Dharma, the international quarterly of religions and philosophies published from DVK. He had been instrumental in establishing the Centre for Dalit Solidarity at DVK. During his academic career, he has also served as the novice master, rector of Darsana Institute of Philosophy (Bhopal; now at Wardha) and Dharmaram College (Bangalore).
An acclaimed teacher and an erudite research guide, Prof. Kadankavil has taught almost all subjects in philosophy and has guided a number of licentiate theses and PhD dissertations. Please permit me to make a personal note: I was blessed to have Fr. Thomas Kadankavil as professor of philosophy during my four years of training in philosophy here at Dharmaram; I had the wonderful opportunity to work under his guidance during my licentiate studies. As he was the director of my licentiate thesis on “Ramayana and the Indian Ideal,” I have immensely benefited from his academic expertise and accompaniment. I remember the scientific rigour that he expected from any student; but equally I remember the love and concern with which he accompanied me all through the project. Although the red ink that he had spilled on the pages of the first draft of my licentiate thesis had occasionally hurt me – at that time, I do acknowledge that it had been quite effective in initiating me into rigorous scientific research, which some of my present students would find as difficult to cope with. I am also personally grateful to him for having edited and published my first article in philosophy, in the Journal of Dharma, way back in 1989, and for having guided me in the preparation of my licentiate thesis on the ethics of Ramayana, which eventually became my first book, published during my student days, of course, from Dharmaram Publications. As I have benefited from the academic expertise and commitment of my teacher and guru, Fr. Thomas Kadankavil, let me take this opportunity to thank him for all that he had been to me and to thousands of other students who have passed through the portals of Dharmaram over a period of more than 40 years. Let me reverentially bow my head before by beloved teacher!
Prof. Kadankavil has to his credit 15 published books and around 100 articles in various scientific journal and other periodicals. Some of his prominent works include The Philosophy of the Absolute (1972), The Quest for the Real (1974), Ethical World (1995), Religion and Politics from Subaltern Perspective (edited, 1999), and Little Traditions and National Culture (edited, 2000).
As it is noted in the biographical sketch that Prof. Dr. Augustine Thottakara had written in the Festschrift dedicated to Prof. Kadankavil, the most important contribution that he has made is his praiseworthy and transformative involvement in the training of thousands of ministers of the Word and the Church. To quote Fr. Thomas Kadankavil himself, “my greatest contribution … is the sharing of the courage of my conviction to be with the generations of students.”
Apart from the above said substantial academic foundations and sound scholarship, what makes Prof. Thomas Kadankavil uniquely important for the Dharma Endowment Lectures 2010-2011 on the “Changing Patterns of Thought” is his ongoing pilgrimage in the domain of human thought. His own search for understanding the reality has been a progressive one. As he got to know the inner depths of one system and, in the course of time, its limitations, he dared to look for better understanding in other domains. When his intellectual search unravelled injustice, he dared to part ways with unjust systems of thought, even though they were considered to be so dear to him at an earlier stage. The openness and the daring spirit with which he always searched for the truth led him to better and deeper understanding of the truth, even though sometimes it had an inherent call to change his own accepted patterns of thought and living. Prof. Thomas Kadankavil, a person who was academically trained in the absolutist thought of the Vedanta, as he got initiated into the systematic thought of the Upanisads, maintained his openness in his intellectual and spiritual search, so much so that even at the close of his active academic life he dared to part ways with the Vedanta and consciously opted for the subaltern and the downtrodden in the form of a preferential option for the Dalit cause and their world vision, which he continues to cherish even to this day. It was this daring spirit that opened up the gates of DVK to the Dalit and subaltern thought and, gradually, the establishment of the Centre for Dalit Solidarity in the Faculty of Philosophy in 1997. A realization of the earlier mistakes, which were made in the light of the then available limited knowledge, made Dr. Kadankavil to initiate conscious efforts in setting things right. Great Confucius had stated in his Analects: “A scholar who loves comfort is not fit to be called a scholar.” As he made his options very clear and his convictions definite, as a true scholar, Prof. Kadankavil did not mind what he had to lose on his affirmative way. As he could know and experience the best of both the mainstream Savarna thought and the subaltern Avarna thought, at the same time, he could make the best out of them and launch his own firm positions as to what is truth and how to realize it. Though we may realize the folly of having followed one system of thought for years, many of us may not take the risk of admitting it and, then, changing the course for good. However, the moment of truth for Prof. Kadankavil was the realization that it is never too late and he dared to part his ways with untruth and injustice and to court truth and justice with all his might. Hence, I consider that Prof. Dr. Thomas Kadankavil is the right person to deliver the Dharma Endowment Lectures 2010-2011, today and tomorrow, on “Changing Patterns of Thought: Philosophy as Interpersonal Communication.” In the name of Rev. Dr. Francis Thonippara, our President, Rev. Dr. Augustine Thottakara, our Rector, all the members and students of the Faculty of Philosophy, and all those who have gathered here, I accord a warm welcome to our loving and respected Prof. Fr. Thomas Kadankavil!
It is my privileged duty to welcome you all, especially Prof. Dr. Francis Thonippara, our President, Prof. Dr. Augustine Thottakara, our Rector, Dr. Paulachan Kochappilly, Dean, Faculty of Theology, Campus Superiors, staff members from Christ University and other institutes of philosophy, the faculty members of theology and philosophy faculties, and the Institute of Canon Law and the Institute of Spirituality and Counselling of DVK and all our well-wishers and students to the Dharma Endowment Lectures 2010-2011. Hearty welcome!
The knowledge and experience of change need not be taught, for it is the very fibre of our knowledge and experience of reality. Perennial truth, sanāthana dharma, is an eternal dream of human mind ever attempting to tell its story through changing thought patterns. How this search of philosophy has to be undertaken and communicated is the issue that would be examined in the Dharma Endowment Lectures 2010-2011. These lectures have grown out of the conviction of Prof. Kadankavil that philosophical truths are not to be taught as dogmas, for they would be as firm as a dogma when a philosopher has arrived at it by his own reasoning. Dialogue certainly would help one to streamline this speculative process.
Centuries have built up systems of philosophy, some claiming absolute certainty for their vision, others launching an all out deconstruction with the hope of a new reconstruction. These lectures try to find a space, with its dialogical spirit, in between the positions of idealizing and understanding a unique reality or letting the contingent or fragmentary have their own reality and importance. In order to shed light on the proposal of doing philosophy as practising a fine art, Prof. Dr. Thomas Kadankavil has chosen a few issues from both eastern and western philosophical traditions. We hope that this will create a new enthusiasm and dynamism among the seekers of truth within the context of our academic curriculum and concrete living.
Wishing you a wonderful and enriching academic experience with Prof. Dr. Thomas Kadankavil, today and tomorrow, I remain. Thank you!
Dr. Saju Chackalackal
Dean, Faculty of Philosophy, DVK, Bangalore