October 2019 - The Acropolitan Magazine

NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

Living philosophy is perhaps the most joyful and meaningful way to celebrate life. The heroic philosopher dares to live such a life; he discovers his own inner strength, his own Free Will, and he empowers himself to contribute in the building of a strong and sustainable foundation for a better future.

As we approach the 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi on 2nd October 2019, let us take inspiration from Gandhi ji’s courageous pursuit of truth. Even without necessarily agreeing with all aspects of his ideology, one cannot deny his exemplary leadership, characterized by his personal example, and his audacity to dream of, and bring about, real change.

In this issue of The Acropolitan Magazine, we bring to you a glimpse of a philosophical attitude to daily life, one that is driven by seeking the inner nature of things. Such an approach makes life a wondrous adventure. We must but dare to Discover, Awaken, and Transform.

ARTICLES IN THIS ISSUE

Oct2019-New Acropolis India Spearheds Global Celebration of Gandhis 150th Birth Anniversary

New Acropolis India Spearheads Global Celebration of Gandhi’s 150th Birth Anniversary

October 1, 2019

By The Acropolitan Editorial Team

Taking inspiration from Gandhi’s relentless pursuit for Truth, Empowering Real Change: Leadership for a Better World brought together distinguished leaders who have been striving to make a better world through tireless work in their various fields. The event culminated in a Resolution to spearheaded a series of events, conferences and exhibitions across the world, exploring Gandhi’s contributions as practical solutions to address the challenges of our times.

Celebrating the Meaning of Life in Warli Art

October 1, 2019

By Shraddha Shetty

In this article, I seek not to publish a scholastic investigation of Warli Art. Instead, as a philosopher studying symbolism, I humbly share my observations of a few elements from its unique tradition in which the artists seem to have been preoccupied, not with mythology, but with the strong drive to align to Nature’s order, by celebrating life and revering Mother Earth, through a unique sense of aesthetics.

Today, people throughout the world are perturbed by the degradation of the environment and the disastrous consequences of the loss of resources in the hands of an ever growing population. In such times, traditional ethics, which contained nature conservation

The Need to Stand Out

October 1, 2019

By Delia Steinberg Guzman

Let us ask ourselves about one of the aspects that is most important for the human beings of our times: what are the different ways of achieving success, of standing out? There is one thing that is indisputable: all human beings, in one way or another, try to stand out, to succeed; it is like a vital necessity. It is the need to do something, but above all, something important; it is the need to act, but to act in a way that does not pass by unnoticed. It is about “being someone”, not disappearing into anonymity, ensuring that our name will be on the lips of the greatest possible number of people.

Oct2019-Heritage - Foundation of the Future Architect Parul Zaveris Journey_1

Heritage – The Foundation of the Future: Architect Parul Zaveri’s Journey (Event Synopsis)

October 1, 2019

By Manjula Nanavati

Architect Parul Zaveri established Abhikram (Sanskrit: initiation) to explore design directions and processes that make built environments functionally, psychologically, environmentally and spiritually more contextual, more comfortable and more healthfully livable for all.

At a time when energy guzzling steel, cement and glass towers are making towering bar-graphs of our city skylines, Parul and her late partner Nimish Patel have been successfully re-establishing the use of traditional material, technologies and craftsmen, adapted to a contemporary context. The path has not been easy, but armed with a clear intention and an unwavering conviction that has seen them refuse projects when clients’ belief systems are not in consonance with their own, and courageously stipulating environmentally friendly materials and processes as a precondition, they have embarked on building a better world.

Does Free Will Exist?

October 1, 2019

By Julian Scott

The question of free will is one of the oldest and most enduring questions facing humanity. The ancient Greeks considered it in their tragedies, such as Oedipus Rex, where it seemed as though the hero’s fate was predetermined in spite of any actions he might take to prevent or alter it. The Greeks and their cultural successors, the Romans, had an image of three Fates, who wove and spun the destinies of men, and cut the thread of their lives at a pre-ordained moment.

The Joy of Living Philosophy

October 1, 2019

By Akanksha Sanghi

Know Thyself. This famous axiom from the ancient Greek tradition seems so simple but in reality these words are a key to living life. As I reflect over the last 5 years, since when I began my journey as a philosopher and started to explore the meaning of these words, it is easy for me to see that I am a totally different person. While externally I may seem quite the same to many, there is a deep inner transformation, a sense of joy, inner strength, purpose and wonder; a whole new outlook to life, a spirit of discovery and adventure.

Traditionally, Philosophy is defined as the love for wisdom. It is this beautiful journey of humbly beginning to