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Sri Aurobindo's Vision of Integral Human Development pp 89–130Cite as

Sri Aurobindo’s Perspective on Evolution of Consciousness: The Metatheory

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Abstract

This chapter examines the nature of cosmic development and the metatheory of human development emerging from Sri Aurobindo’s perspective on evolution of consciousness, i.e. the ontological, epistemological, methodological assumptions on which it is based and its implications for the nature of development. The chapter also brings the dominant metatheoretical perspectives on human development in dialogue with Sri Aurobindo’s metatheory and makes an analysis of the way in which Sri Aurobindo’s writings extend the current discourse on development. It revisits the agenda of popular theories of the ‘evolving self’ and formulates the alternative Integral-developmental agenda.

A subtle pattern of the universe.

It is within, below without, above.

(Sri Aurobindo 1997b, p. 98)

Divinity’s lapse from its own splendours wove

The many-patterned ground of all we are.

(Sri Aurobindo 1997b, p. 99)

A highest flight climbs to a deepest view.

(Sri Aurobindo 1997b, p. 660)

Two are joined together, powers of Truth, powers of Maya, they have built the Child and given him birth and nourish his growth.

(Sri Aurobindo 2005, p. 499)

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Elementary Education, Gargi College, University of Delhi, Delhi, India

    Monica Gupta

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  1. Monica Gupta
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Correspondence to Monica Gupta .

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Gupta, M. (2014). Sri Aurobindo’s Perspective on Evolution of Consciousness: The Metatheory. In: Sri Aurobindo's Vision of Integral Human Development. Springer, New Delhi. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-81-322-1904-0_5

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