Satyagraha is a philosophy of non-violent civil disobedience developed by Gandhi. It is based on the concepts of truth, non-violence, and self-suffering. The goal is to achieve truth through non-violent means even in the face of violence or oppression. Truth is a relative concept defined as resolutions that fulfill human needs for freedom and integrity. Non-violent actions are used to test differing views of truth, and may lead to suffering being imposed on practitioners by opponents, to which practitioners refuse to retaliate and instead invite more suffering upon themselves.

1. Satyagrahaसत्याग्रहGandhian Philosophy of Conflict Transformation

2. TRUTHSatyagraha – Holding onto TruthSatya – Hindi for “truth”, one of the five cardinal Hindu virtuesSat - Sanskrit for “is” and “being”In the Hindu tradition, life’s ultimate goal is self-realization, which is identification with GodIn the Satyagrahaphilosophy, God is absolute TruthGod is Truth and Truth is God, they are interchangeableRelated to Hindu pluralistic ethos that there are many paths to God, therefore in Satyagraha many paths to TruthIndividuals have differing views as to what is TruthIndividual man searches for truth in terms of the community of which he a part. (Bondurant, 1988, p. 22)

3. NON-VIOLENCEAhimsa – action based on the refusal to do harmA positive state of love, doing good, even to the evil doerOne must disassociate with the evil doer even if it offends himMay not even harbor uncharitable thoughtsAhimsa is our supreme dutyAhimsa is the greatest of the five cardinal Hindu virtuesAhimsa is the means and truth is the endTo get to ultimate Truth, one must test different types of Truth through Ahimsa, non-violenceAhimsa is the standard Truth is measured againstThere exist limitations on human capacity to achieve non-violence

4. SELF-SUFFERINGTapasya – willingness of self-sacrificeEssence of non-violenceChosen substitute for violence to othersRelated to Hinduism’s yogic ideals of self-restraint and self-disciplineRequires courageNon-violence of the strongGandhi referred to the “non-violence of the weak” whenever followers failed to grasp full meaning of SatyagrahaVoluntary submission to injuryFully realized when practitioners can use violence, but refrain from doing so and invite suffering upon themselvesHow Truth is tested

5. Relationship of Three ElementsThe truth concept as it functions in Satyagraha is relative TruthObjective standard to judge Truth is fulfillment of human needs of freedom and preservation of human integrityDiscovery of Truth is the resolution of conflict that arises out of differing opinionsMust be attained through non-violent actionsNon-violent action often leads to experiencing violence instigated by the opponentSelf-suffering involves refusal to injure the opponent while simultaneously holding to the TruthImplies sacrifice, even to the deathFurther means by which relative Truth is tested

6. ChallengesDifficulty integrating with Interactive Problem Solvingas influential people are invited to participate in IPS

7. Doesn’t coincide with Western view of dignity

8. Difficult to encourage people to engage in self-suffering

9. Difficulty distinguishing from passive resistance

10. Seeking and applying Truth may not translate into different ideologies