The
Second Asian Philosophy Congress was a three-day international conference (19th
Jan-21st Jan, 2016) hosted by the two premier universities, Andhra
University and GITAM University, with its theme of “Philosophy in Pursuit of
Peace”.
Philosophy
is a vibrant and dynamic exercise and helps to address multiple problems that
humanity faces today. There is an urgent need for holistic philosophy at the
present critical juncture of human history. Delivering the keynote address at
the inaugural of the Second Asian Philosophy Congress in GITAM University on
the theme ‘Philosophy in Pursuit of Peace’ on 19th January, 2016,
Dr. Karan Singh, Member of Parliament and Chancellor of Banaras Hindu
University underscored the importance of attaining permanent peace in the
world. He addressed the gathering on “Five Sutras: A Philosophy for the
future”.
Sri
Palle Raghunatha Reddy, Minister of Information & Public Relations, IT
& Communications, NRI Welfare & Empowerment, Government of AP said that
ethics and values must be taught as a subject in the curriculum to face the
social problems. IT Advisor, Government of Andhra Pradesh, Mr. J.A. Choudary
observed that holistic education was needed to face future challenges. He
pointed out that the present young generation does not understand the
philosophy of technology and was unable to handle the stress during their work
period. He also said that the low-level jobs in the IT sector are slowly
digitised and the future IT jobs were in areas of artificial intelligence,
analytics and robotics.
Delivering
the presidential address on ’Perpetual Peace: A Philosopher’s Pipe Dream?’
Chancellor of GITAM University Padma Shri Prof. K. Rama Krishna Rao called on
philosophers to factor in the change in values and mindsets due to the
increasing importance of information technology in our lives. Enforcing peace
would only be temporary, perpetual peace can be achieved only when it comes
from inside, he said.
Sri. Yarlagadda Lakshmi Prasad, Member,
Central Hindi Committee, Govt. of India and Dr. M.V.V.S. Murthi, President,
GITAM and Member of Legislative Council, Govt. of AP also addressed the
gathering.
On the same day, a plenary special lecture on
‘Dharma Rules, Virtues and Paradigmatic Individuals’ was given by Prof.S.S.Rama
Rao Pappu, Miami University. There was a plenary session for special papers.
The chairperson of the session was Prof. Douglas Allen, University of Maine.
During this session Mr. Anwar Alam, Zirvey University, Turkey, presented a
paper on “Gandhi, Islam and Muslim Politics in Pre-independence India:
Implications for Muslim Politics in post-independence India” and Mr. Marek
Hrubec, Czech Academy of Social Sciences, Prague, presented his paper on
“Social Recognition as a Precondition of Peace: The Asian & European
Comparative Perspectives.
On
the same day, there was a plenary panel discussion. Prof. Douglas Allen,
University of Maine spoke on “Creative Reformations of Gandhi’s Philosophy of
Peace & Their Value for Contemporary India & the World”; Prof. Karsten
Struhl, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York spoke
on “Buddhist Compassion & Righteous Anger” and Prof. Vinit Haksar,
Edinburgh University, spoke on “Philosophical Ideals of Perfection: Necessary
Evil, the Limits of Non-Violence and the Theory of Second Best”.
There
were several paper presentations in GITAM Institute of Management after the
plenary discussions followed by a concert in the evening by renowned singer
Ghazal Srinivas.
On
20th, January, 2016, the day started with plenary special papers. A
plenary session was addressed by Prof. Janak Pandey, Allahabad University, on
“Asian Indigenous Knowledge Systems for Solution for Manmade Societal
Problems”. There were paper presentations in GITAM Institute of Management
followed by a cultural program.
On
21st January, 2016 a Business session of the Asian Congress of
Philosophy was held in GITAM Institute of Management followed by a Valedictory
session. A large number of International delegates attended the three-day
Congress jointly organised by Andhra University Department of Philosophy and
Centre of Gandhian Studies GITAM University.
