
The Argumentative Indian - Writings on Indian Culture, History and Identity
Author: Amartya SenPublisher: PenguinYear: 2005Language: EnglishPages: 409ISBN/UPC (if available): 0141012110 DescriptionIndia is a very diverse country with many distinct pursuits, vastly differing convictions, widely divergent customs, and a veritable feast of viewpoints. The Argumentative Indian brings together an illuminating selection of writings from Nobel prize-winning economist Amartya Sen that outline the need to understand contemporary India, including its thriving democracy, in the light of its long argumentative tradition. That tradition has not only influenced the history of literary, cultural, political, scientific and mathematical developments in India, but also the intellectual pluralism underlying its religious diversity. This includes heterodoxies experiences, varying from the early flowering of Buddhism, Jainism and atheism to constructive encounters with religions coming from abroad, particularly Islam. Understanding the political, social, cultural and economic chal