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Interview with Dr. Ramendra

Published 2015-06-08.
What inspires you to get out of bed each day?
Most of the days, it is going to college, On Sundays, holidays and vacations, it is mostly for working on my book or writing articles.
What are you working on next?
I am working on a Hindi text-book on Practical Ethics to be published by Motilal Banarsidass, a leading publisher of philosophy text-books in India.
When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
I am a professor of philosophy, and Head of the Department of Philosophy at Patna College, Patna University.
When I am not writing or recreating myself, it is mostly teaching and College related work.
What is your writing process?
I study and think hard about what I want to write. After that, I let the ideas incubate for a while, till it becomes clear to me how to write what I want to write. When the ideas start flowing, I write very fast.
When did you first start writing?
As a school student.
What do you read for pleasure?
Mostly books related to ethics, social and political philosophy and philosophy of religion.
Describe your desk
A laptop, lots of books plus pen and paper for writing.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
To inspire social change in a desirable direction. I feel very happy when a reader writes back to inform me that my book has changed his or her entire thinking process!
What do your fans mean to you?
A lot. Writing has no meaning unless someone reads and appreciates it.
Who are your favorite authors?
John Stuart Mill, Bertrand Russell, G. E. Moore. M. N. Roy and Jayaprakash Narayan, among others. Presently I am reading and writing about Peter Singer and Amartya Sen.
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
Yes, it was in the 'children section' of a Hindi newspaper published from Kanpur, where I was a school student at that time. It was titled "Story of Books".
What are your five favorite books, and why?
J. S. Mill's 'On Liberty'. Bertrand Russell's 'Why I am Not a Christian', G. E. Moore's 'Principia Ethica', Karl Popper's 'The Open Society and its Enemies' and Jayaprakash Narayan's 'From Socialism to Sarvodaya". These books had a profound influence upon my thoughts on ethics, politics and religion when I was a student of Philosophy in Patna University. Besides, there are other books also.
What is your e-reading device of choice?
Laptop and smartphone.
Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?
I grew up in Hazaribag, Calcutta, Kanpur, Ranchi and Patna. The varied experiences influenced me a lot. I have traced my intellectual journey in my Hindi essay, 'Main Buddhiwadi Kaise Bana' ( How I became a Rationalist).
I started studying in Patna University in 1973. The historic Bihar Movement led by Jayprakash Narayan started in 1974. I participated in it as a student. The experience of participating in the movement and JP's concept of total revolution had a profound influence on me and it changed the direction of my life.
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Books by This Author

Some Reflections on Ethics by
Price: Free! Words: 15,360. Language: English. Published: March 27, 2013 . Categories: Nonfiction » Philosophy » Ethics & moral philosophy
"The aim of a rational ethics should be to maximize freedom and avenues of happiness and to minimize avoidable suffering." In this highly thought provoking and stimulating book, the author, Dr. Ramendra, has briefly and critically discussed the ethical ideas of G. E. Moore, Bertrand Russell, Lokayat, Buddha, Epicurus and John Stuart Mill before expounding his own ideas in a logical manner.
The Myth of Unity of all Religions by
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 4,470. Language: English. Published: August 25, 2011 . Categories: Nonfiction » Philosophy » Religious philosophy
In a scholarly and logical discourse, full of authentic references to the basic beliefs of major religions of the world, the author, Dr. Ramendra, ably explodes what he calls "the myth of unity of all religions". "No two religions share all their fundamental beliefs. If they did, they would not have remained two separate religions."
Is God Dead? by
Price: Free! Words: 4,090. Language: English. Published: June 20, 2011 . Categories: Nonfiction » Philosophy » Religious philosophy
(2.00 from 1 review)
"An overview of an influential book from one of India's deepest thinkers in Secular Humanism. Professor Ramendra presents clear reasons for rethinking the classical arguments for the existence of God." — The Secular Web. In a crisp, concise and fascinating discourse, the author has boldly advocated atheism on logical and moral grounds.
The Ethical Philosophy of Bertrand Russell by
Price: Free! Words: 4,190. Language: English. Published: April 20, 2011 . Categories: Nonfiction » Philosophy » Contemporary philosophy
(2.00 from 1 review)
Based on full length book of the same title. A critical exposition of the ethical philosophy of Bertrand Russell. Traces the development of Russell's ethical ideas from cognitivism (similar to G. E. Moore) to non-cognitivism (similar to A.J.Ayer).Concludes with author, Dr. Ramendra's critical comments on Russell's ethical ideas.(This is the second revised and expanded version of the ebook.)
Why I am Not a Hindu by
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 9,550. Language: English. Published: April 10, 2011 . Categories: Nonfiction » Philosophy » Religious philosophy
Inspired by Bertrand Russell's "Why I Am Not a Christian", which the author, Dr. Ramendra admired, and M. K. Gandhi's "Why I Am a Hindu", with which he disagreed; the author explains why he is not a Hindu by conviction, though he is a Hindu by birth. "Why I Am Not a Hindu" has been published in print edition in 1993,1995 and 2011. It has been translated into Hindi, Oriya and Malayalam.