Buddhist Pragmatism or Pragmatic Buddhism: What is the relationship between Buddhism and Pragmatism?

With the rise of modernity, the Western world fell into a deep spiritual crisis which forced Comte to Dewey, and Einstein to Whitehead to synthesize a cosmic or humanistic religion. Similarly, the rise of modern science increased western interest in Eastern religions. Because of the ontological resemblance,they further enquired to Buddhism by assuming that would be a religion of their ideal. They began interpreting Buddhism through the lenses of modern philosophies. As a result, Buddhism appeared so diverse that sometimes its positioning is confusing and ambivalent- e.g. 'ethical idealism', 'atheism', 'empiricism', etc. As an attempt of resolving the contradictory positioning, both the original nikayas translated in English by PTS and commentary texts of Buddhism authored by both eastern and western scholars were carefully reviewed. These texts suggested that Buddhism is mostly close to 'ethical pragmatism. To present this closeness, the article at the first describes the cardinal principles of pragmatism, which are- multiple truths, verification of truths, changeability of truth; and then discusses how these principles are embedded in the teaching of Buddha. It also claims that Buddha’s efforts on developing new doctrine, constituting a Sangha, practicing sainthood, and defending against rival doctrines and organizations were just strategies of social reform via cultivating ethics rather than the objectives in themselves. This knowledge contributes to the understanding of both pragmatism and Buddhism from each other's perspectives, and at the same time, draws its educational implication in developing critical thinking, and ethical values.

Social Movements that Led to Social Transformation in Jammu and Kashmir During the British Rule

The article tries to examine and study the role of some of the Hindu social reform movements that came up during the British rule to transform, modernize, and uplift society by imparting modern or western education. The article studies their role in eradicating social evils like child re-marriage, dowry and sati among the Hindu community in Jammu and Kashmir. In addition to these elements, it also tries to enlighten the role of various Hindu reform movements in imparting education among all sections of society without any discrimination.

The Ideological Emancipation of Chinese Women and Its Idealistic Pursuit in the May 4th Movement

The May 4th Movement of 1919 is a significant period of ideological change in Chinese modern history, and in it is during this time that the ideological enlightenment of modern Chinese women made its debut. Led by modern intellectuals, they, from all angles, criticized the traditional social structure, traditional etiquette and feudal family system hindering the liberation and development of women, and further discussed the emancipation of women in terms of ideological education, economic independence, family status, freedom of marriage, ethics, social communication, as well as other relevant social issues. The intense exchange of ideas influenced public opinion, provoking enormous responses from all sections of society, particularly from women. Based on real educational and economic issues concerning women, combined with theories, real thoughts and practices, and carried out with a series of practical social reform activities, the ideological emancipation of women in the May 4th Movement of 1919 laid a solid foundation for the transition of traditional women to modern women, thus becoming the source of ideological emancipation of modern women in China.

Unity through Education

The last four years have not only witnessed the largest domestic protests in U.S. history, but the steady polarization of U.S. politics has been a widening trend for decades. Policymakers eager to heal the country can learn from history. The Progressive Era offers one big idea to reduce division: public education. A robust educational system undergirds progress, stability, and unity, and it enables follow-on opportunities of social reform and equality. The Progressive Era’s laudable expansion of public education also, however, reversed progress on racial equality and neglected to resolve an inflammatory media, mistakes that have contributed to today’s division. Learning from the successes and failures of one of the most ambitious Progressive Era programs presents the United States with one path forward to solving its internal turmoil.

Social change and masculinities: exploring favourable spaces?

Understanding social change remains a challenge in the social sciences. This has resonance when considering the continuing significance of gender inequality in Australian society despite decades of political and social reform. Our aim is to elaborate a framework regarding social change which engages with major debates in masculinity studies, with applications beyond gender and masculinity. The potential of favourable spaces for social innovation is explored by outlining a dynamic taxonomy of masculinity and change. This framing of social change is located in a material social context involving specific actors. While popular media accounts of boys’ schooling and the specific instance of private boys’ schools indicate the maintenance of hegemonic norms upholding masculine dominance, we investigate illustrative instances of Catholic boys’ schools committed to gender equality. Yet, constructions of masculinity shift between and/or incorporate hegemonic styles and gender equitable styles, even in situations where gender equality is publicly promoted.

Education during the Enlightenment: Public Education and Social Reform

The Enlightenment shaped and transformed European society in many ways. This paper illustrates how thinkers like Martin Luther and Jean Jacques Rousseau proposed their thoughts on education, which then played an important role in the educational reform of Prussia and France respectively. It further analyzes how geographical and cultural differences led to distinctively different education systems and goals.

Muslim Women’s Social Movements in the Sahel

Since the 1990s, the countries of the Sahel have been experimenting with democratic systems that have resulted in both political pluralism with a gendered dimension and a renewed place for Islam in the public sphere. This chapter focuses on the emergence of critical Muslim women’s social reform movements advocating for women’s rights in the region. These movements manifest a diversity of Islamic and secularist trajectories and objectives. Strikingly, however, the majority converges on a common quest for gender justice against cultural and state patriarchy. Furthermore, they also display a range of responses to external hegemonic forces—including neoliberalism, local and global violent Islamist extremisms, human trafficking, and ethno-regional tensions. Starting with the politico-economic context within which many of these critical social movements have arisen in recent times, this chapter uses specific social frames—education, family law, arts, and entrepreneurship—to examine their strategies and transformative impacts in the Sahel.