Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam as a Philosophical Framework for Interfaith Coexistence: Bridging Relational Ethics with Prosocial Psychology 14 6

Abstract

Despite decades of efforts to create policies of tolerance, foster dialogue, and pursue strategies for peaceful coexistence, religious polarisation and fragmentation among faith communities remain significant challenges to maintaining peaceful social relations. The paper proposes that such problems are inherent in the traditional understanding of tolerance, in which phenomena such as moral passivity, an unequal relationship between majority and minority groups, and vulnerability during times of societal stress persist. Building on interdisciplinary concepts and theories in social psychology, sociology, political philosophy, and Indian Knowledge Systems, the study uses a method that combines philosophical hermeneutics, conceptual analysis, and critical interaction with existing literature to develop a new concept of "familial moral engagement." Specifically, the theoretical framework explores the ancient Indian philosophical idea of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, or "the world is one family," based on the ontology of oneness that exists according to the principles of Advaita Vedanta. The following are three hypotheses put forward to account for the manner in which the moral outlook in the family structure would foster empathy, minimise inter-group discrimination, and lead to sustainable solidarity between people with different attributes. In summary, the study indicates that a perspective of the world based on the idea of common humanity can help communities to rise above tolerance to curiosity, reciprocal responsibility, and enduring ethics.