Gandhi's Ethical Life: A Beacon of Patience and Aesthetic Virtue in Modern Times
In an age increasingly characterized by hate and division, Mahatma Gandhi stands as a profound example of how patience and awareness can shape a life of deep ethical significance. Modern art often views artworks as products of inspired imagination, but Gandhi, along with other historical figures, demonstrates that a life itself can be seen as a masterpiece of inspired ethical imagination. This perspective invites us to reconsider ethics not merely as a set of rules or doctrines, but as a holistic way of living that is both visible and meaningful.
Revisiting Foucault and the Aesthetics of Ethical Living
Reflecting on Gandhi recently led me back to the works of Michel Foucault, particularly The History of Sexuality, Volume II, The Use of Pleasure. Foucault articulated a view of ethical life that focuses on shaping one's entire existence, rather than adhering to rigid norms. In an interview, he described this ethics as an aesthetic choice, reserved for a select few who aspire to live a beautiful life and leave behind memories of such an existence. Gandhi fits seamlessly into this framework, embodying what Foucault termed "the will to live a beautiful life" as an ethico-aesthetic pursuit.
Historical Parallels: From Confucius to Buddha
Gandhi's approach to ethics finds resonance with ancient philosophies. Confucius's concept of the junzi, or superior person who achieves moral perfection, is readily applicable to Gandhi. Similarly, the Buddha was among the first to articulate and live an ethics-led life, emphasizing principles like compassion and selflessness. These figures, including Aristotle and Jesus, viewed ethical judgment as something cultivated through long-term formation within a specific way of life, rather than through immediate rational grasp, as later proposed by Immanuel Kant.
- Gandhi trained himself to reduce ego-centricity and cultivate karuṇā (compassion).
- His life was shaped by core values such as satya (truth), ahimsa (non-violence), aparigraha (non-possession), and brahmacharya (self-discipline).
- Unlike Kant's universal moral law, Gandhi's ethics emphasize social cultivation and historical context.
The Aesthetic Appeal of Ethical Lives
When ethics is understood as orienting oneself toward the well-being of others, a life shaped by such principles becomes a product of sustained personal effort. This makes it open to aesthetic judgment by observers. Gandhi, like the Buddha and Jesus, attracts attention not only for his teachings but for the aesthetic appeal of his lived experience. In a world often preoccupied with hateful slogans, Gandhi reminds us that true ethical force lies in lives patiently and visibly molded by virtue.
Written by K.P. Shankaran, this reflection underscores Gandhi's enduring relevance. As we navigate contemporary challenges, his example encourages us to embrace ethical living as a transformative and beautiful endeavor.
