Gurmat (Sikhi) and Greek philosophy

Rodin, The Thinker, photo by Fernando Santander, Unsplash

Image of Khalsa Princess from MrSikhNet.com

Takeaways

• The Khalsa believe that living the truth is superior to knowing the truth
• The Khalsa believes that individuals only fulfil themselves through social interaction and so they need to wear clothes
• The Khalsa believe that women are equal to men

The difference between the philosophy of the Sikhs and the Greeks can be seen in images that depict the ideals of the different ways of life.

The Khalsa is based around family life and since women are central to giving birth, society literally cannot exist without women. Guru Nanak argued passionately against discrimination against women and this vision was actualized by the tenth and final Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh as women became independent, having their own name Kaur, meaning ‘princess’, rather than adopting the name of their new husband-owner, and being armed and able to perform any function a male could. They are integral to the vision of the mindful, armed self-governing citizenry which is the Khalsa.

Rodin’s beautiful sculpture expresses the very different vision of Greek philosophy. Plato, for example, does not contemplate women having any say in public life and sees the highest form of life as a man — the dictatorial philosopher-king, thinking rationally about things as the way to uncover knowledge and then imposing that knowledge on lesser men (and women) through a form of brainwashing, as these lesser beings are unable to fully engage in rational dialogue.