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A review by krishnu
Annihilation of Caste by B.R. Ambedkar
4.0
Caste exists.
Most of us are told about caste using adjectives describing the injustices that stem from its existence.Consequently we grow up empathising/repulsing the topic. The media or political parties arent helpful in clearing the confusion.This book is a good place to start.Meanwhile,being vocal about your anti-caste stand is an easy way of signalling virtue. But what is Caste? what is Varna? How are they different?
Sadly these questions seem irrelevant to the 21st century, Young,Indian-egalitarians. They seem to work on the presupposition that Caste System is EVIL.This is in violation of the Principle of Charity. One needs to create the hardest and most accurate representation of their opponents argument before mounting a watertight defence against it.This process is called "Steelmanning"(as an antidote to strawmanning)Ambedkar's charitable refutals are void of appeals to emotion. Hence Ambedkar is essential reading for anybody who wants to seriously engage in the problem of Caste.
Another realisation I earned from reading this book is that most contemporary political arguments misrepresent what the man had to say.Ambedkar didn't see equality as an end in itself, rather Equality was a means for ensuring maximum Liberty to each Individual.
Equality was not a goal, rather a governing principle.
Often Ambedkarites putting forth the argument that merit is a social construct.Meanwhile Ambedkar held the view that Merit and competency should be the criterion in Social Hierarchies.Hoping to read more of Ambedkar's works in the future.
Most of us are told about caste using adjectives describing the injustices that stem from its existence.Consequently we grow up empathising/repulsing the topic. The media or political parties arent helpful in clearing the confusion.This book is a good place to start.Meanwhile,being vocal about your anti-caste stand is an easy way of signalling virtue. But what is Caste? what is Varna? How are they different?
Sadly these questions seem irrelevant to the 21st century, Young,Indian-egalitarians. They seem to work on the presupposition that Caste System is EVIL.This is in violation of the Principle of Charity. One needs to create the hardest and most accurate representation of their opponents argument before mounting a watertight defence against it.This process is called "Steelmanning"(as an antidote to strawmanning)Ambedkar's charitable refutals are void of appeals to emotion. Hence Ambedkar is essential reading for anybody who wants to seriously engage in the problem of Caste.
Another realisation I earned from reading this book is that most contemporary political arguments misrepresent what the man had to say.Ambedkar didn't see equality as an end in itself, rather Equality was a means for ensuring maximum Liberty to each Individual.
Equality was not a goal, rather a governing principle.
Often Ambedkarites putting forth the argument that merit is a social construct.Meanwhile Ambedkar held the view that Merit and competency should be the criterion in Social Hierarchies.Hoping to read more of Ambedkar's works in the future.