The basic philosophical question in India has been: what can make a person happy? All the major philosophical works of ancient India attempt to present a solution to human misery and offer the possibilty of maximum and everlasting happiness. This is true for Hinduism, Buddhism as well as Vedanta. As a sociologist, I asked to myself: what can make a man happy and what can simultaneously make society happy? How dependent happiness is on income (at the individual level) and Gross Domestic Product (GNP) (at the national level)? Can happiness of individuals and collectivities be promoted simultaneously? How to maximize happiness of both man and society? Is it possible? Is there a conflict between the two? Can a man be happy even in despotic rule (if he has control over sense organs, as Gandhi believed)? Can there be a perfect democracy with no difference to the character of man? I started thinking about values, political and economic approaches to development, and spiritual ideas which shaped social change, especially in the context of India.During February-March 2011 Michel Danino gave a series of lectures on history of science in India in IIT Kanpur. I attended most of his lectures. These lectures too raised issues about history and future of India.

This course is the outcome of my study and thinking on the above issues. I will tell you what I have learnt from my limited readings on these issues and years of contemplation caused by personal and social crises.