RASHTRASANT TUKADOJI MAHARAJ NAGPUR UNIVERSITY

About Us

About the Department of Philosophy...

The Post Graduate Department of Philosophy is one of the oldest departments of Rashtrasant Tukdoji Maharaj Nagpur University, established in 1958. The Department has not only earned a national reputation but also produced scholars of international stature. The Department has a 225.70 Sq.m. built-up area in the main Humanities building existing in Mahatma Jyotiba Phuley Campus, Amravati Road, Nagpur.

Philosophy is indeed a life-changing experience. It surely generates one’s thirst for knowledge not only does it remain confined to the domain of knowledge but goes beyond and instills values and valor, which justifies the literal meaning i.e. love for wisdom.

The Department has witnessed its dawn with profound personas like Dr. Dravid, Dr. Bramhankar, Dr. Bakhale, Dr. Hatwalne, and the glory continues to grow manifold. Dr. Dravid was a scholar of Indian Philosophy; he was a scholar of international importance. His doctoral was on ‘Navya Nyaya’ and he also has an embellished career when he was a visiting faculty in the USA. He has many books to his authorship.

Dr. Dravid’s contemporary was Dr. Smt. Hatwalne, who had a specialization in Aesthetics. Her doctoral thesis was on Suzanne Langer. Prof. A.M. Brahmankar had a specialization in Aesthetics. His interest in Aesthetics was not only theoretical but it had fructified into his paintings on canvas. His musical taste was also something that saw the application of philosophy in his life.

Dr. Bakhale was another eclectic persona who brought accolades to the Department in a unique manner. His specializations were Ethics, Logic, and Analytic Philosophy. His doctoral was on ‘Dharma’. He also visited Thailand for cultural exchange and since then he had been keen to contribute something in this domain. His thoughts met execution when he became the founder member of ICCS (International Centre for Cultural Studies). This center is not only doing gargantuan work in a limited periphery but has reached the most remote nook and corner of the globe. His taste for good music also enhances the application of life philosophy at par. The contribution of Dr. Bakhale emphasizes the need for philosophy to travel across the fields as this mark has amplified the interdisciplinary domain of what philosophy can do.

Later the Department had Dr. S.K. Thorat who had his specialization in Philosophy of Mind. Dr. Krantiprabha Pande is a renowned name in Logic and Aesthetics. She had co-authored a book on Indian Logic and also has authored a book on Aesthetics. Her doctoral thesis was on the ‘Concept of Beauty’, and she indeed is the personification of one. Dr. Smt. S.N Deo has a specialization in Symbolic Logic. She was a member of the committee related to the SET examination.

The Department has had the privilege of having Dr. Surendra Gaidhane and Dr. (Mrs) Sunita Ingle. Dr. Surendra Gaidhane has his specialization in Metaethics, and his work yielded many books in the respective domain. The Art in the Department of Philosophy stayed intact when we see the philosophy traveling from the books and reaching the canvas as he has an acute interest in painting. He became the Head of the Department in 2014. He has given extension lectures in Mahatma Basvehswar Mahavidyalaya, Latur for over five years. He has served as the vice president of the Maharashtra Tattvadnyan Parishad, as a member of committees related to SET, NET, MPPSC, and on the HSSC board. He is the founder and the current President of Akhil Bharatiya Tatwadnyan Parishad. This was established so that the budding philosophers could get a platform to showcase their writing flair and progress.  His books are used as reference books in various universities, his Metaethical Theory of Comparison is added to the syllabus of Moolji Jetha College (Autonomous), Jalgaon and he has also been the Chairperson of the Board of Studies for Philosophy, R.T.M. Nagpur University and member of the Board of Studies for Philosophy in the universities like Sant Gadgebaba Amaravati University, Swami Ramanand Teerth Marathwada University, and Punyashlok Ahilyabai Holkar Solapur University.  He retired in January 2021.

After him, the Head of the Department was Dr. (Mrs) Sunita Ingle. Her specializations include Indian Philosophy, Logic, Western Philosophy, and Aesthetics. Her doctoral thesis was on ‘Values’. Her artistic potential is met through her ability to carve out beautiful pieces of art through her craft and she also plays musical instruments mainly ‘Sitar’. She has made her contributions through her book in the area of logic. She is a member of ICCS (International Centre for Cultural Studies) and has attended, presented, and published profound papers at conférences. She has also served as the Chairperson, of the Board of Studies for Philosophy, R.T. M. Nagpur University.

The department organized a National Conference in July 2014, which tasted success in all aspects. On 11 March 2016, a seminar ‘Interfaith Dialogue’ was organized by the Department in collaboration with the National Foundation for Communal Harmony -Ministry of Home Affairs (Central Government Department) at Nagpur. Later, the first conference of Akhil Bhartiya Tattvadnyan Parishad took place in December 2018, in collaboration with the Department. This has amplified the research paper publication for the freshers. In March 2020, a National Level One-day seminar was organized by the Dharampeth College of Arts and Social Sciences in collaboration with the Department. 

The current charge as a Head of the Department is with Dr. Dhiraj Kadam, Department of Economics who is diligently managing his academia along with this administrative task.