In the search for personal truth and validation in the confusing world we live in, humanists have pioneered social movements and forward-thinking. Among these individuals are Mahatma Gandhi and Bertrand Russell. Although they grew up with different religious beliefs and live in different socio-economic contexts, the two share a common vision: a world of nonviolence and unity. Comparing and contrasting their views on peace, education, and war, the following makes it clear that despite their different upbringings, their worldviews are reconcilable. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay To begin, Gandhi grew up poor in a village in India, and his mother was a deeply devout Hindu. Through his travels and life struggles, Mahatma Gandhi tried his best to live a life of peace. Consequently, Gandhi was devoted to the principles of Satyagraha, which showed him the Truth and connected him to God. Furthermore, he encouraged his people to live their lives without brutality and to be peaceful. He believed that ahimsa (nonviolence) was necessary for the functioning of a society and was an essential virtue. As a result of Satyagraha and ahimsa, Gandhi wanted to spread love, which he saw as part of the laws of nature (Gandhi). Furthermore, as the law of nature dictates, Gandhi believed that hatred could be triumphed by love. Therefore, to better understand Gandhi's worldview, it is important to highlight that peace is one of his core values ​​because it is how he chose to live and what he encouraged others to do as well. Later, Mahatma Gandhi advocated for proper education for his people. In South Africa and India, Gandhi taught nonviolence and love, which defines his purpose on earth (Merton 28). Furthermore, Gandhi not only taught non-violence but also emphasized character building to train the body, mind and spirit. Ultimately, his goal was to teach ahimsa and Satyagraha so that India could be the first non-violent state and he attempted to do so until his assassination in 1948. Ultimately, his teachings not only influenced India but they also inspired the entire world who witnessed the struggle of their nation and were saddened by his death. As mentioned above, Gandhi did not approve of violence; for this reason he approved of the war even less. He argued that dying through nonviolence required much more courage than dying for a violent cause or example. Gandhi helped liberate his people in South Africa, then India through the use of Passive Resistance, which involved breaking the law to change it (Ackerman and Duvall 64). Gandhi lived through the First and Second World Wars; he thus saw progress in nuclear weapons. Ultimately, Gandhi is against the atomic bomb and believes it would be the end of humanity. Irrevocably, the bomb is against its principles of peace, education and means of nonviolence. Then, the noble and public intellectual Bertrand Russell questions the role of God and his relationship with peace. Russell does not believe that God has any involvement in the good or evil of this world (Russell 31). Consequently, Russell believes that peace can be achieved if religion were abolished and people were freed from righteousness. For example, Russell defines rational thought as something that can be safely expected. When actions are performed quickly and passionately, they are usually irrational and lack conviction. Therefore, it emphasizes logic to define our actions and revokes the involvement of a powersuperior who influences the good and wrong actions of individuals. Continuing, Bertrand Russell was a very educated man. He taught in one of the most exclusive schools in the world and published numerous works. Ergo, he supported people's access to information and the transmission of knowledge. He argued that eliminating the church would allow people to have a proper education. Furthermore,Russell believed that if we taught children at a young age to be peaceful, good, and to use logic, it would create more nonviolent adults (Russell 36). On the other hand, Russell also argues that a society that uses only science and logic limits individuals to only follow the rules established for them and therefore they will never know free will. Certainly, adequate education and the ability to choose are among Russell's most important concepts for understanding his worldview. Furthermore, Bertrand Russell condemns the war. While he accepts that part of being human is fear, self-importance, and hatred, he states that it is how we express these characteristics that defines who we are (Russell 34). As mentioned above, Russell believes that righteousness controls the essence of individuals; therefore, religion impairs their judgment and divides people, which can lead to conflicts. Therefore, Russell blames Christianity for intolerance in the world. In conclusion, Russell claims that the atomic bomb would be the end of the human race (Einstein and Russell) which he revealed publicly with the publication of the Einstein and Russell Manifesto in 1955. Naturally his opposition to war and the use of the atomic bomb is also what binds this secular humanist to our religious humanist. Of course, Gandhi's and Russell's views are similar because they both focus on the crucial importance of nonviolence. However, one reason their principles differ is in Gandhi's dedication to Satyagraha, which is God's way; while Russell firmly believes that religion is a source of conflict that will not allow for peace. Furthermore, Gandhi believes in training the mind on the path of ahimsa because it is his God-given purpose on earth and he must help others follow the path to the path of Truth. In comparison, Russell proposes the elimination of religion within the education system because it clouds individuals' judgment. However, both agree that education should be kind, warm, peaceful and logical. Finally, since both humanists are pacifists, both are against war. To liberate his people, Gandhi practiced Passive Resistance and frowned upon cowardice. He believed that dying for a cause according to the path of ahimsa was the noblest way to die and the way to reach Heaven. Russell on the other hand recognizes that fear and hatred are part of human characteristics, however war is not the appropriate channel for such violent intentions to emerge. Furthermore, Russell believes that much of the conflict created was caused by Christianity and its intolerance. The final similarity to recognize is the fear of the atomic bomb. Both Gandhi and Russell believed that this weapon would cause violence to innocent people and could even lead to the destruction of humanity. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay In conclusion, despite having grown up in different socio-economic contexts and with different religious beliefs, the worldviews of Mahatma Gandhi and Bertrand Russell are reconcilable. Both believed in peace, spread their knowledge and opposed violence and war. This is proof that, religious or secular, different people can come together to fight for the good in this”., 1965.