Basic Writings

by Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, Robert A. McDermott (Editor)

The writings of Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, philosopher and former President of India, constitute one of the best possible introductions to Indian thought and culture. His work has been the most important single factor in the genesis and development of Indian and Western comparitive studies. Radhakrishnan worked creatively for a greater synthesis of Indian and Western values, and in so doing he he helped establish the data, problems, and a method for the comparative study of Indian and Western philosophical, religious and cultural ideas. This volume presents, for the first time in paperback, the best of Radhakrishnan's writings.

Genres: Philosophy

344 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1977

About the author

Bharat Ratna Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was an Indian philosopher and statesman. He was the first Vice-President of India (1952–1962) and subsequently the second President of India (1962–1967).

One of India's most influential scholars of comparative religion and philosophy, Radhakrishnan is thought of as having built a bridge between the East and the West by showing that the philosophical systems of each tradition are comprehensible within the terms of the other. He wrote authoritative exegeses of India's religious and philosophical literature for the English speaking world. His academic appointments included the King George V Chair of Mental and Moral Science at the University of Calcutta (1921-?) and Spalding Professor of Eastern Religions and Ethics at Oxford University (1936–1952).

Among the many honours he received were a knighthood (1931), the Bharat Ratna (1954) and the Order of Merit in 1963. His birthday is celebrated in India as Teacher's Day.