Arvind-Pal S Mandair Livres

Violence and the Sikhs interrogates conventional typologies of violence and non-violence in Sikhism by rethinking the dominant narrative of Sikhism as a deviation from the ostensibly original pacifist-religious intentions and practices of its founders.

Sikhism, a significant spiritual-philosophical tradition of India, is often overlooked in cross-cultural philosophy discussions. In this introduction, Arvind-Pal Singh Mandair rigorously engages with Sikh philosophy from a Western perspective. He sensitively addresses the historical development of Sikh thought within a decolonial context, exploring key concepts that shape its vision of life. Mandair investigates what these concepts reveal about reality, the mind/self/ego relationship, and the potential for a Sikh logic, epistemology, and ontology. The book also examines broader themes such as the body, health, cosmology, death and rebirth, action and intention, bioethics, and spirituality, which is a recurring theme throughout. Each chapter concludes with bullet points summarizing key concepts, discussion questions, and teaching points to facilitate further exploration. This introduction highlights the significance of Sikh philosophy in modern Sikh studies, illustrating why the philosophical quest has been marginalized. Most importantly, it emphasizes the need to expand beyond the familiar realms of Hindu and Buddhist thinkers to include Sikh philosophical thought in the evolving field of world philosophies.

The book explores innovative perspectives on Sikh religion, culture, and ethnicity as examined by Sikh scholars in the diaspora, particularly in Britain and North America. It covers a wide range of topics, including film, gender theory, theology, and race theory, challenging traditional dichotomies like insider vs. outsider. This multifaceted approach not only enriches Sikh studies but also appeals to both academic audiences in fields such as politics and religious studies, as well as a broader English-speaking Sikh community.