Collated by Tusar Nath Mohapatra
Yes, a comparison can be drawn between Ralph Waldo Emerson's admiration for Raja Ram Mohan Roy and William James' high opinion of Swami Vivekananda, as both represent significant intellectual and spiritual encounters between leading American thinkers and Indian philosophical figures, though with distinct differences in personal interaction and philosophical alignment.
Ralph Waldo Emerson and Raja Ram Mohan Roy
- Nature of Admiration: Emerson was a pioneer in America who read Roy's writings and helped spread Indian thought in the American intellectual climate. He admired Roy as a "world's greatest and most self-reliant individual," which aligned with his own philosophy of individualism and self-reliance.
- Interaction: Emerson primarily engaged with Roy's published works, particularly his English translations of Vedic scriptures and Upanishads, and the literature of the Brahmo Samaj movement. There is no record of a personal meeting between them, as Roy visited America through "Hindu missionaries" who were inspired by his work.
- Influence: Roy's rational approach to monotheism and the ethical principles of Vedanta significantly influenced Emerson's development of Transcendentalism and his concept of the "Over-soul". The influence was primarily textual and philosophical, shaping Emerson's spiritual ideas from afar.
William James and Swami Vivekananda
- Nature of Admiration: William James, a renowned Harvard philosopher and the "father of American psychology," met Vivekananda personally multiple times and praised him as "the paragon of Vedantists" and "a man of genius". James was known for his openness to new ideas and people, and he was drawn to Vivekananda's charisma and oratorical power.
- Interaction: James and Vivekananda met twice, likely in 1894 and 1896, and engaged in earnest conversation, with James later reading all of Vivekananda's available works. Their relationship involved direct personal contact and discussion.
- Influence and Disagreement: While James was impressed by Vivekananda's presentation of Vedanta and its practical "cash value" in providing security and peace, he ultimately rejected the core of Vivekananda's monistic philosophy. James was a committed pluralist and found monism unsuited to his active temperament and pragmatic view of reality. He also focused on the Raja Yoga aspect of Vivekananda's teachings but felt he had a limited understanding of other aspects like Karma Yoga.
Comparison
| Feature | Emerson's Admiration for Roy | William James' Opinion of Vivekananda |
|---|---|---|
| Interaction | Primarily through writings and "Hindu missionaries". | Involved direct personal meetings and conversations. |
| Philosophical Alignment | Strong alignment with Roy's monotheism and self-reliance, which reinforced Emerson's own developing philosophy. | Mutual respect, but ultimate philosophical disagreement on monism vs. pluralism. |
| Focus | Roy's rational, ethical, and social reformist ideals. | Vivekananda's mystical experience, oratorical power, and the psychological aspects of Yoga. |
| Nature of Influence | A foundational influence on Emerson's Transcendentalism. | James praised Vivekananda highly as a person and teacher but ultimately found the core philosophy incompatible with his own pragmatism. |
In both cases, the American thinkers were seeking alternative spiritual and philosophical frameworks outside of traditional Western Christianity and found significant value in Indian thought as presented by these influential figures. However, the nature of James' relationship was more a direct, personal, yet ultimately critical, engagement with a contemporary, whereas Emerson's connection to Roy was a more distant, foundational, and wholly appreciative intellectual kinship with a predecessor's work.
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