The Department of Philosophy, Gurukul Kangari Vishwavidyalaya, Hardwar came into existence along with the Vishwavidyalaya itself, in the year 1902.
The department is located in the building of College of Veda and arts now the Faculty of Oriental Studies in the campus of the University. It offers an undergraduate (minor) course leading to Bachelor of Arts (Alankar) degree. But in these courses though we have provided for the teaching of three papers only but we have seen to it that there is adequate provision for the teaching of Indian & Modern Western Philosophy.
The department imparts education to students at graduate level keeping in view the Master’s Degree in Philosophy. The P.G. course (M.A.) has subjects like Indian & Western Ethics, Epistemology and Metaphysics (Indian & Western), Philosophy of Language, modern Indian & western thoughts and Sankhya-yoga. Special care is taken in this course to study the Philosophy of Swami Dayanand.
In short, the department’s course offerings are designed not only to provide knowledge and skills required for students whose main interest is in Philosophy but also to educate students in general about the intellectual issues that a reflective person is likely to encounter in various context of civilized life.
Special attention is given to the fact that the students get analytical, critical and administrative skills. With such skills they may appear for P.C.S. & I.A.S. examinations etc.
The department also has the interdisciplinary Research programs leading to Ph.D. Degree, with Vedic Studies, Yoga Studies and Sanskrit Studies
The department organizes National seminars and Workshops almost every year with the financial help of the Indian Council of Philosophical Research (Govt. of India), New Delhi. In the recent past Prof. U.S. Bist, Head of the Department of Philosophy organised National seminars on:
- Gitartha-sangraha-Raksha (funded by I.C.P.R.)
- Value paradigms for education in 21st century (funded by NAAC).
- He is also organizing Secretary of the 53rd session of the Akhil Bhartiya Darshan Parishad (All India Conference of the Philosophers).
The Philosophy department is fortunate enough to have Achary Sukhdeo, as its founder Head of the department. Since then Prof. Avedenanda, Prof. Jaidev Vedalankar, Prof. Vijaypal Shastri, Prof. Trilok Chand & Prof. U.S.Bist have been in the chair of the Department. Dr. Sohanpal Singh Arya is a reader in the department. Dr. Babita Sharma is a lecturer in Philosophy in Kanya Gurukul Mahavidyalya, Hardwar. Sh. Bablu Vedalankar (NET) is also imparting education in the department.The 53rd session of the Akhil Bhartiya Darshan Parishad was organized under the auspices of the department of Philosophy from 8th November to 10th November 2008. |
