Great Philosophers / Nobel Laureates Class 5 Notes SST

Introduction

• Throughout history, many great philosophers and leaders have shaped the way we think and live.
• These individuals encouraged people to challenge beliefs, seek truth, and fight for justice.
• They emerged from different cultures, countries, and times, yet shared a common goal of improving society.
• Let’s explore the lives and teachings of influential figures like Socrates, Abraham Lincoln, Karl Marx, Mahatma Gandhi, and Martin Luther King.
• Their ideas continue to inspire generations, making them timeless examples of wisdom, courage, and change.

Socrates (470-399 BC)

Who was Socrates?

• Lived in Greece around 2400 years ago.
• Renowned philosopher and teacher.
• Believed wisdom and honesty were more valuable than wealth or fame.
• Famous for the saying: "Know yourself."

Teaching Methods

• Did not write books; taught through conversations.
• Engaged young people by asking questions to encourage thinking.
• Wanted people to think critically about life and discover truth through reasoning.

Reputation and Beliefs

• Considered the wisest man in Greece, although he claimed not to have all the answers.
• Believed in questioning common beliefs rather than accepting them without thought.
• Opposed superstition and emphasized the search for truth.

Socrates’ Trial and Death

• Made enemies due to his habit of questioning established beliefs.
• Accused of disrespecting the gods and misleading the youth.
• Faced trial and was sentenced to death.
• Accepted his fate calmly and drank poison while continuing to discuss life after death with his followers.

Legacy

• Plato, a famous student of Socrates, recorded his teachings in a book called the Dialogues.
• Key teachings of Socrates:
• Be honest and fearless.
• Think critically and don't accept things without questioning.
• Avoid believing in superstitions.
• Always search for the truth.
• Use your mind and think carefully to understand what is true.

Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865)

Birth and Early Life:

• Born in 1809 in the United States.
• Father was a farmer; mother passed away when he was nine.
• Had a happy childhood on his father's farm.
• Self-taught, learning to read and write on his own.

Career and Politics:

• Studied law independently and became a lawyer.
• In 1856, joined the Republican Party, which opposed slavery.

Presidency:

• Elected President of the United States in 1860.
• Faced unrest in the country due to slavery, where African people were enslaved and had no rights.
• Strongly believed in freedom and equality for all.

Civil War and Achievements:

• Led the country through the Civil War, maintaining unity.
• Successfully ended slavery, ensuring freedom for all slaves.

Second Term and Assassination:

• Re-elected as President in 1865, aiming to bring peace to the country.
• Tragically, he was shot on April 14, 1865, in a theatre before starting his second term.

Legacy:

• Remembered as a hero who fought for equality and freedom for all people.

Karl Marx (1818-1883)

Early Life and Background:

• German economist, political thinker, and revolutionary.
• One of the founding figures of communism.

Career and Writing:

• In 1842, became the editor of a newspaper.
• Wrote articles on economic and social issues, leading to the paper being banned.
• Authored the book Das Kapital, where he boldly expressed his views on economics and society.

Observations on the Industrial Revolution:

• The Industrial Revolution in Europe widened the gap between the rich and the poor.
• Industrialists sought bigger profits and paid workers very little.
• This resulted in a divided society: capitalists (wealthy) and workers (poor).

Marx's Revolutionary Ideas:

• Upset by this social injustice, Marx believed that capitalists oppressed workers.
• Predicted that workers would eventually rise against the capitalists.

Impact and Legacy:

• Marx’s ideas inspired Communist revolutions worldwide.
• His thoughts served as a warning to the rich not to exploit the poor.

Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948)

• Full Name: Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
• Title: Known as Mahatma, meaning 'Great Soul' for his kind nature and simple life
• Birth: October 2, 1869, in Porbandar, Gujarat
• Education: Studied law in London and became a barrister
• Legal Career: Started practicing law in Mumbai

Mahatma Gandhi’s Fight for Justice
South Africa:

• Visited South Africa for a case, where he witnessed the poor treatment of Indians and Black Africans under white rulers
• Stayed for 21 years to fight against this injustice
• Called his struggle Satyagraha (meaning 'insistence on truth')
• Was imprisoned many times but continued his peaceful protest
• Won several rights for the Indian community in South Africa

Return to India and Fight for Freedom

• Return to India: In 1914, Gandhi returned and saw the poor conditions under British rule
• Leadership:
  1. Urged Indians to rise against British oppression
  2. Advocated for peaceful and non-violent resistance
  3. Inspired large numbers of people to follow his path of non-violence
  4. He, along with many others, faced imprisonment

Weapons of Non-Violence

• Gandhi’s primary tools of protest were truth and non-violence, which proved stronger than British force
• Despite British violence, his followers and Gandhi himself remained peaceful
• Eventually, the British rulers left, and India gained independence on August 15, 1947

Father of the Nation

• Gandhi was recognized for fighting not just against the British but also against social evils like untouchability
• He worked for the upliftment of women and equality among all religions
• Emphasized that all men are children of the same God and urged people to give up narrow ideas

Assassination

• Gandhi's ideas were not accepted by everyone, especially his views on treating Hindus and Muslims equally
• Nathuram Godse did not agree with Gandhi’s philosophy and shot him dead on January 30, 1948, at Birla House, New Delhi

Legacy

• Gandhi’s teachings of truth, love, peace, and non-violence have made him a timeless figure
• He is fondly remembered as the Father of the Nation and an inspiration to the world

Martin Luther King (1929-1968)

Early Life and Background:

• An American clergyman.
• Faced humiliation due to being a person of color.
• Shocked by the unjust treatment of colored people in the U.S.

Fight for Civil Rights:

• Decided to fight for the rights of colored individuals.
• Though slavery had been abolished, discrimination persisted.
• Colored people were denied entry to certain places and faced segregation, even on public transport.
• King strongly opposed such injustices and aimed to continue the work started by Abraham Lincoln.

Activism and Leadership:

• Travelled across the United States, delivering inspiring lectures.
• Led peaceful demonstrations, advocating for non-violence like Mahatma Gandhi.
• Faced multiple arrests and life-threatening situations due to his activism.

Achievements and Recognition:

• Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.
• Donated the prize money to the Civil Rights Movement.

Legacy and Death:

• Despite opposition, King continued his peaceful fight for equality.
• On April 4, 1968, King was assassinated at the age of 39.

Connection to India:

• Visited India, describing it as a pilgrimage to honor Mahatma Gandhi's land.