WORLD Philosophy Day is observed in November under Unesco’s auspices.

This year the day was observed on Nov 20 with an appeal to every teacher, professional and author to unleash the power of critical thinking.

The international community was asked to engage in reasoned dialogue to help find common solutions to shared challenges.

In a world of numerous fractures, philosophy promotes and plays an indispensable role to ponder and to endeavour for human dignity, peace and harmony in the world.

Philosophy reveals that the wherewithal of the mind is the only real renewable resource of the community.

In a world of diversity, inclusion comes more than ever from dialogue and respect for justice, human dignity and human rights. Our world is full of enumerable effect and sustainable development depends on prosperity shared between states.

Philosophy is a subject which promotes public debates around the world and within the societies. It divulges the growing inequalities between rich and poor within many countries and between countries and sustainable development.

Philosophers in our country should follow its tenets to promote love and harmony within the country and defeat the creeds of intolerance. They should strive to realise the concepts of social justice, solidarity, exclusion and inclusion in different segments of societies to accomplish the sustainable development essential for the survival of our country. Unfortunately our universities and colleges have relegated this important subject. This is sad for the nation and its future.

Prof Abdul Qayum Mangi

Sukkur

Published in Dawn, November 23th , 2014