A Theological Ethical Framework for Dalit Lifeworld

Abstract

This dissertation focuses on the theological ethical framework of ‘hope in justice’ for addressing the caste discrimination, particularly within the context of the Dalit lifeworld in India. It draws parallels between the caste system in India, racial discrimination in the United States, and apartheid in South Africa. More importantly, it examines the leadership and resistance models of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and Martin Luther King Jr. The dissertation suggests that when the theological ethical enquiry is grounded in the principles of human dignity, justice, and equality, the exercise proclaims hope of liberation for the marginalized in the respective contexts. Further, it employs an ‘ethic of recognition’ as a foundational agenda, uniting various pedadisgogies and praxes against discrimination. This ethic is explored through the philosophical and theological implications of the works of scholars like Judith Butler, James Keenan, Joseph Flipper, Vincent Lloyd, Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, Albert Nolan, Emmanuel Katongole, Jurgen Moltmann, and John Sunder Boopalan. It argues for a comprehensive theological ethical discourse on caste, emphasizing the need for a moral critique and corrective vision based on virtue ethics and the principles of Catholic Social Teaching. To sum up, the dissertation presents a detailed examination of caste discrimination through a theological ethical lens, advocating for a comparative study with racial discrimination to enhance the understanding and develop effective strategies for social change. It underscores the importance of leadership, resistance, and an ethic of recognition in the fight against systemic oppression and inequality.