Postmodernity - An Indian Christian Philosophical Appraisal

The book is meant to provide answers to questions like: What is postmodernism? How does it challenge us? Especially religious people? What is its contribution to contemporary society?

This introductory book on postmodernism surveys this subject meticulously, beginning with modernity, it explores the subject further by taking up the major postmodern thinkers. Then, it offers a critique of postmodernism and suggests a meaningful and rewarding response to it, inspired by the integral philosophy of Ken Wilber. The book acknowledges that postmodernism has permeated every aspect of human, social and religious life today.

Cyril Desbruslais is an Indian Jesuit priest (Calcutta Province), Professor (Emeritus) of Philosophy at Jnana-Deepa Vidyapeeth, Pune, India, and an accomplished playwright. He has taught almost all the subjects in philosophy except Logic and Indian Philosophy for more than 40 years. He has been an animator of youth throughout his life. He initiated "Searching in Service and Unity" (SSU) in- 1971 for the youths of Pune. He has staged more than 25 plays on socially relevant topics.

I was privileged to be taught by Prof Cyril Desbruslais in the early 1980's at Jnana-Deepa Vidyapeeth, Pune and he came across to us as a passionate philosopher, whose feet were solidly on the ground. He invited us to think creatively and open our vistas to the needs of the poor and the marginalized, in our philosophical journey. His flair for language, his approachability and dedication was an inspiration for all of us as students.

After my doctorate when I returned to JDV in 1989, during one of our casual chats, I invited him to co-teach a course on postmodernism. Though his main philosophical expertise was on Phenomenology, Existentialism and History of Philosophy, he gladly obliged. He made a personal effort to buy all the books of the postmodern thinkers in French, study them and make them appealing to the students of JDV. So this book is the product of his commitment and dedication in the early 1990's, when we could feel life fully vibrating in him. His flair for language, clarity of thought and proficiency both in English and French made the lectures and this book really inspiring and challenging. He was passionately committed to the young and vibe with them. He would go out of his way to reach out to the students and make the philosophical insights easily accessible to them. He cherished being with the young and was a truly inspiring figure.

Personally I am very much indebted to him, since he is the one who has me into the writings of Paul Ricoeur and inspired me to take his hermeneutics and phenomenology for my research, as he has done to countless students.

Unfortunately, he got a mild stroke (Paralytic attack) on October 1, 2016 which has prevented him for functioning as actively and energetically as he used to be. He is able to carry on doing his regular activities, but with some restraint.

While paying homage to my former professor, I want to thank Dr Cyril Desbruslais on behalf of countless students and youth, who have been inspired, challenged and transformed by his life and message.