To Read Book List

In the months to come i.e till April 2016, I wish to have read these books.

1. The Right and the Good
Author: W.D Ross (Philosophy)
Area: Moral Philosophy

2. Political Emotions: Why Love Matters for Justice
Author: Martha Nussbaum ( Philosophy)
Area: Moral and Political Philosophy

3. God and Government
Editor: Nick Spencer (Political Thought)
Area: Political Theology

4. Why Suffering?: Finding Meaning and Comfort When Life Doesn't Make Sense
Authors: Ravi Zacharias (Philosophical Theology) and Vince Vitale (Philosophical Theology)
Area: Existentialism

5. The Fragility of Goodness
Author: Martha Nussbaum (Philosophy)
Area: Moral Philosophy

6. Liberalism and the Limits of Justice
Author: Michael Sandel (Philosophy)
Area: Moral and Political Philosophy

7. The Politics
Author: Aristotle (Polymath)
Area: Political Philosophy

NB: The list is not necessarily arranged in term of sequence.

Meaning of 'Liberal '

The word 'liberal' has meanings according to the subject or the context one uses it. It is a word used in political discourse as much as it is used in theological discourse. It is also used in economics. And each one has a very different meaning attached to the word. 

In Political discourse, 'liberal' is to refer to the kind of political philosophy that gives much importance to individual's autonomy; individual's liberty or freedom. So whether one wants to eat beef or not is for the person to decide; the state/legal system has no business 'enforcing' what people should not eat or eat. Now if the state has no business enforcing what people should not eat or eat, then what all can it do? Well, many liberal thinkers would say that when it comes to issues regarding sovereignty, protection of private property etc., it's the state's business; and between citizens one of the things state needs to see is that no harm is done upon one party by another party. specially the stronger ones harming the weaker ones. Not all liberal thinkers have the same opinion with regard to the extent of liberty that must be allowed to an individual. For example, liberal thinkers may differ on whether affirmative action programme  should be adopted by a government or not. However, all liberal thinkers would insist on emphasizing on the importance of autonomy of the individual. 

In Theology, the word 'liberal' refers to the view that has deviated from the traditionally accepted view. This does not mean traditional view is static all the time; traditional view has so much of room to explore new ideas and incorporate them into the traditionally held view. For example, in Christianity traditional view is that Jesus is both human and divine. Without denying the divinity of Jesus, there is so much to explore on what it means to say that Jesus is human and then incorporate this new thought into the traditionally held view. However, if this new finding leads on to deny the traditionally held view i.e. Jesus is both human and divine, and begins saying that Jesus is not divine, that is to get onto liberal view. Liberal view is opposed to orthodoxy; and orthodoxy means correct belief. Of course, who determines what is correct belief and what is liberal view, the deviated view? This is rather complex  but there are certain belief that is pronounced in explicit terms what the official position of the church is. 

In Economics, 'liberal' is used in a way that is closer to political discourse. It is the view that advances that government's intervention in market should be minimal. It is to say that economic affairs should be left to the current of demand and supply. So government providing, say, railway services should be withdrawn and let the private company/ownership provide the service. Like government allowing private players to compete in providing telecommunication services to the people -- Airtel, Vofafone, Tata, Reliance etc. -- government should also allow private players to compete in different areas. Of course, to what extent government should be allowed to provide services and to what extent private players are allowed to take over may be different according to individuals. But the emphasis is that private players should be allowed to play a great role is what liberal economist would insist. 

Is Cheating in Exam Good?

From High School till College, it has been known that cheating in exam is a worldwide practice. From United States to Netherland to India, it is there. Even in India it is there in Delhi, in Bihar and in Manipur. But using unfair means is unfair, wherever it is. Cheating is cheating, East or West. The individual student, parents and the concerned authority must all acknowledge that cheating in exam is wrong. To be declared pass is to acknowledge that a student has possessed the requisite knowledge required of a person at such a stage of learning. But clearing an examination by cheating and copying betray the degree the person possesses. A student who clears the exam by cheating deceives himself or herself, cheats the authority and the society at large.

If one has decided not to cheat, yet must pass the exam then the only option is to work hard. I have heard wise parents say, 'pass' or 'failed' is a different matter, but as a student hard work is a must. If you work hard and you failed, the problem is not yours. But if you refused to work hard now, and you failed later, the problem is yours. A child needs to be reassured that if he or she fails to do well in studies despite hard work, the parents will be there to understand the matter and stand with him or her. A hard working child need not fear the parents or the future. Fear of the parents, rejection by the society or a bleak future is one factor that gives rise to cheating in exam. Just as a child needs reassurance, he or she also has to be taught to be responsible for failure that may arise due to his or her laziness. To do away cheating in exam in a community responsible parenting is a must.

As one goes up the academic ladder, it gets more embarrassing to be corrected for the mistakes which one should not have made in the first place. Grammar, arithmetic, basic science etc. are all taught in High School. This is about laying the foundation in order to prepare the student for higher learning in various disciplines later. If a person is cheating at this level, he or she will struggle at the Bachelors. If he or she is cheating at the Bachelors level, the same person will struggle at the Masters level or even when one has got a job with the Bachelor's degree. At that stage, because of the learning you are supposed to possess at 15, but then refused to do so when you are young, life is difficult when you act stupid. However, if one has learned what must be learned at a younger age, one need not face embarrassing moments later.

It is always better to learn what is to be learned at that stage. Going back in time is not easy. As age catches up, different responsibilities emerge. Eyes refuse to cooperate; back refuses to support for long and the mind no longer remains fertile as it used to be. One of the first things that I decided when I came to faith in Jesus Christ as a student in 2000 was that I shall not cheat in exam any more. Over the years I have realised that academically this has been much more productive than I could have possibly imagined when such a decision was made. Certain people may try to justify cheating saying that it is better to cheat than to lose a year. But besides being legally and morally wrong, imagine a situation where a person makes such a justification at every stage of his or her life. Or worse, imagine a significant number of people use such justification for cheating! A whole bunch of generation will emerge with a flawed character. This is not good for the person and also for the larger society. Given such an adverse prospect for all, cheating in exam should be put to an end right away– by the individual candidate, the parents and the teachers.

(This article appears on the Hornbill Express on 2nd March 2015)