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Project

Constructing Counter-culture through Theology of Liberation: Sebastian Kappen SJ (1924-93)

This research explores the history of the origin, growth, and development of the theology of liberation in India, focusing on the life and contributions of Sebastian Kappen S.J. (1924-1993), a renowned progressive thinker and champion of counter culture. There are two central research questions: how does Indian theology of liberation relate to global liberation theology, and what is Kappen’s position in this? The research is based on a variety of sources, such as Kappen’s publications, archival material from India and Rome, interviews, several periodicals, etc. The relevance of this dissertation is that, unlike the hitherto understanding on Kappen as a liberation theologian, it also adequately presents him as a social activist and progressive thinker who engaged interdisciplinary elements in both social analysis and theologizing. Being all this, Kappen contributed extensively towards constructing a counter culture through his intellectual contributions and activism. For this, he depended mainly on three sources: Marx, Jesus, and Buddha. We expect to scrutinize the significance of this inclusive approach in the multi-religious and multi-cultural Indian society.

Date:1 Oct 2013 →  9 Feb 2018
Keywords:Liberation theology, Communism, Counter-culture, Sebastian Kappen
Disciplines:Curatorial and related studies, History, Other history and archaeology, Art studies and sciences, Artistic design, Audiovisual art and digital media, Heritage, Music, Theatre and performance, Visual arts, Other arts, Product development, Study of regions
Project type:PhD project