History of knowledge lies in aspirations of mankind to
unravel the beautiful harmonious set up of natural kingdom. Life and
sustainability owe much to this quest of mankind; started with myth to divine
rules, and later science brings its shadow over primordial understandings.
Though, all knowledge is human’s knowledge (Kant), but there must be a huge
world of knowledge to which mankind has not ever imagined to reach there.
Empiricism, though brings Newtonian certainty and verifiability of a
hypothesis, but even a keen observer has his own limitations to ascertain the
truth, he might be caught in illusion like prior understanding vis-à-vis Earth
and Sun. Enlightenment values transformed the world, and brought Marx, Darwin,
Freud, and Einstein into the same place. Notion such as, theory of two worlds
were considered as a daydream of Plato, even his disciple Aristotle thought
that his teacher has looked up this world into different direction what it
seems after empirical observation. Man, instead of born with innate ideas, is
born with innate reason. But what happens with this reason once religious
animosity and exclusion brings lots of bloodshed and homicide; Man appears as
brutish, nasty, short (Hobbes). Leviathan take cares after every subject and
State becomes a form of ultimate reason (Hegel); a hypothetical social contract
which brings democracy at work (Rousseaeu). In a battle between majority and
minority utilitarian garbs its place in policy making to its executions
(Bentham). Rule of law and democracy were impossible idea to work unless
minimum guarantee of rights is fixed (Dworkin). Lockean inalienable rights
proposition coupled with idea off written constitution (Madison) do brings
certainty in life of Man. But what next? When today’s knowledge becomes ignorance
of tomorrow; in a post-truth world, realpolitik becomes a tool of narcissism
and xenophobia, and Machiavellian classical dictum suggests; “it is better to
be feared than loved but not despised” (The Prince). Idea of justice has failed
to replace ‘might is right.’ No Rawlsian difference principle has a place in a
society living, in fact, behind the veil of ignorance ‘forever.’ Sadly but
true, Darwinian ‘survival of the fittest’ rule is at its work, i.e., the more
you wield the power the more you are a reasonable being. But I believe this
naturalism must not continue. The very idea of State is related to justice with
all irrespective caste, creed, race, or language. That text of justice would be
an empty slogan unless every common is out of that platonic cave; ignorance is
no more bliss in a democracy. The very existence of good life depends upon
empowerment of every being from lower to middle and upper strata. More we
invest in human resources better we’ll produce for tomorrow. Role of a State
must be pro-active to insulate civic virtues among its citizens (Aristotle).
Virtue of civic ethics can never dwell behind mythology; it will come out with
logic and experience. In a post truth world GANDHI is looking to come back with
an idea; be true to yourself; all knowledge is within you.
Posted by : Mrityunjay Kumar Singh
Assistant Professor, Campus Law Centre,University of Delhi
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