Human development and transcendence: a Vivekananda view

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the following questions in the light of Swami Vivekananda’s philosophy: What will ultimately come out of human development? Is development a goal in itself or only a doorway to a higher goal called transcendence?

Design/methodology/approach

A comprehensive view of human development can come only through a comprehensive understanding of human nature.

Findings

What the dimensions of the human personality are and how they function in the world provide a good starting point to assess the way in which human development can be achieved.

Originality/value

Vivekananda’s quest for human development was not for human development per se, but to point to its potential as a spiritual practice that makes human beings realize that they are, in fact, not human being but divine beings.

Citation

Tyagananda, S. (2014), "Human development and transcendence: a Vivekananda view", International Journal of Development Issues, Vol. 13 No. 3, pp. 220-224. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJDI-06-2014-0043