M N Roy

Introduction

1. Narendra Nath was earlier name
2. Sudipto Kaviraj
   
   : 'remarkable failure'
1. one of the few philosopher of modern india
2. complete failure in politics
3. contribution: Radical Humanism

Ideational journey

1. transition in ideas
2. starts as revolutionary associated with Yugantar
1. believed that revolutionary method is way to achieve freedom for india
2. attended lecture by Lala Lajpat Rai in US when went to procure arms
3. dissatisfied with the way of Congress
4. learnt about Marx, went to Mexico and founded 'Communist Party of Mexico'
5. 1920s, 1930s; supporter of marx and critic of gandhi
6. considered gandhi as bourgeois leader
1. reactionary who wants to bring religion in politics
3. gradually became critic of marx, even then considered himself as marxist
4. he was ousted from second communist international due to differences with lenin
1. lenin suggested two step strategy; first support local movements for independence in colonies, then support communist party to establish control
2. Roy was not in favour to support bourgeois party
3. he believed that masses in india are completely ready for the struggle and communist international should support communist parties, peasant movements and workers protests
4. there is no need for two stage revolution
5. Sudipto Kaviraj: charges MN roy with guilt of heteronomy by applying examples from some other country based on superficial understanding
6. transition in ideas between 1930s and 1940s
1. he joined INC
2. wanted to radicalise congress from within
3. became sympathetic to gandhi and believed that his programmes did help masses, became critic of marxism
7. criticism of marxism
1. critic of soviet marxism
1. historical materialism
1. it is economic determinism
2. ignores role of ideas
2. dialectical materialism
1. it is not materialism but idealism
3. class struggle 
1. history is result of class cooperation
4. surplus value 
1. surplus value is bad when not equitably distributed
5. revolution
1. real revolution is not change in mode of production but change in thinking of people
6. communism
1. instead of communism, we should get radical democracy and cosmopolitan union
2. suggested giving humanist interpretation to marx
8. transition in 1940s
1. left congress since it supported WW2 to british
2. formed Radical Democratic Party
3. based on the philosophy of 'New Humanism'
4. later disbanded the party and started radical humanist movement
5. renamed new humanism as radical humanism

Radical Humanism

1. philosophy of freedom
2. emerged due to dissatisfaction in existing philosophies
1. parliamentary system doesn't give direct opportunity to masses
1. so there should be radical democracy
2. fascism to be rejected since it subsumes man under collective ego of nation
3. communism subsumes man under collective ego of class
3. need a philosophy which gives importance to man, liberation from all sorts of fear
1. freedom from foreign rule
2. social freedom/ political/ economic
3. freedom from religion
4. liberates against supernatural fears also (against superstitions)
5. this will come by promotion of scientific rationality
1. intellectual or mental revolution has to precede over political or economic
6. man is rational, hence it is possible
1. reason has materialistic/phisiological origin
2. reason developed by the struggle  for survival
7. believes in existentialist concept like Sartre
8. we need to build our society on rational norms
9. reason is the source behind ethics- built by society which appeared rational
10. social practices, cultural values which are not rational need to be rejected
11. radical humanism has 3 components
1. freedom
1. attainment of freedom in all possible forms
2. reason
1. scientific rationality is the means
3. ethics/morality
1. society be based on secular rational principles
12. it aims to establish society in harmony with environment
13. radical humanism
1. establish society in harmony with principle of nature
2. rejects ignorance, blind faith, fatalism (doctrine of karma)
14. ideas emerge during man's struggle for survival and later on became independent
15. human brain is the most important means of production, it produces ideas
16. crisis of modern civilization is the lack of faith in the innate rationality of man
17. progress of society to be measured by amount of freedom it gives to man
18. suggests the need of cultural renaissance
1. constant research, examination of values in light of science
19. radical humanism has two features
1. critical 
1. criticizing current
2. constructive
1. way for new which gives highest importance to human freedom
20. ultimate aim of radical humanism is creation of cosmopolitan union of free persons linked with humanism and reason
21. gave 22 thesis on radical humanism
1. 1-3: importance of freedom
2. 4-6: humanist interpretation of history where he has shown the role of human action and idea
3. 7-11: criticised soviet communism
4. 12-22: explained radical humanism
22. Source of Inspiration
1. renaissance in the east like in the west
23. new humanism?
1. new since based on ages
24. radical humanism?
1. thinks human being in original way, not a member of community of any kind
25. radical  humanism will be achieved by formation of communities which will spread the message