Department of Philosophy (BA)

The Department of Philosophy was established in 1948 and is a popular department in the Arts Stream. We offer Philosophy at FYBA, SYBA and TYBA levels. Syllabus of each year is dynamic and abreast with the changing trends globally. We offer the following papers: Moral Philosophy, Social Philosophy, Political Philosophy, Philosophy of Religion, Classical Indian Philosophy, Greek Philosophy, Modern Western Philosophy and Applied Ethics. Our focus is on bridging theory and practical life. Student feedback is important and is communicated to the Board of Studies for updating the syllabi accordingly. The Department of Philosophy annually visits the world’s first and oldest yoga institute, The Yoga Institute, Santacruz for a one-day Yoga camp, and a full-day visit to The Global Vipassana Pagoda, Bhayandar to learn the Buddhist technique of meditation. We also organize various workshops on themes such as wellness, gender, and research methodology. Every year, we receive an overwhelming response for the Mandala making workshop, which is a Buddhist meditative art technique. Though it is a single person department, the variety offered in terms of pedagogy and andragogy offered makes the subject very interesting to students with a focus on global skills such as out-of-box thinking, logical analysis, critical analysis and in-depth evaluations.

Ms. Simmin Bawa, Head of the Philosophy Department at Jai Hind College, has 16 years of experience and specializes in diverse areas of philosophy, including Classical Indian Philosophy and Biomedical Ethics. She has published numerous research papers on topics such as meditation, reincarnation, corporate social responsibility, and gender issues, and has presented at various national and international conferences. Currently pursuing a PhD, she holds an MA in Philosophy, NET certification, and other qualifications, including a PG Diploma in Event Management and certification as a Past Life Regression Therapist.

The etymological meaning of Philosophy is ‘love for wisdom’. Philosophy is the study of questions left unanswered by pure sciences and other social sciences. Ethics and morals form a very important subject matter and have universal applications such as bio-ethical debates pertaining to abortion, surrogacy, environmental ethics, business ethics, media ethics, etc. Metaphysics, which studies concepts like God, soul, karma, heaven, hell, etc. form an important subject matter. The study of philosophy of religion is important today as we raise questions such as: Does God exist? Is there any life after death? Is Mysticism true or false? Can science and religion meet eye to eye? These and many other topics are covered under a course of Philosophy. Many curricular and co-curricular activities are regularly conducted and a very practical approach to Philosophy is taken, ensuring that it connects with life experiences of every student. Quizzes, debates, discussions, use of audio-visual aid, field visits, article reviews are a part of the teaching methodology. Student research is encouraged through writing and publishing research articles in International Journals and the department magazine ZEKA.

Research

The Department of Philosophy has made research a compulsory module and also prepares students to present research papers at National, International Conferences and Seminars and additionally helps them to get it printed in International Journals. Our students have won several awards for their research work at various seminars and conferences.

Department Fest – Fill-O and Drishtikon

Fill-O is a fun food cum philosophy intra college event which gives students wings of entrepreneurship while Drishtikon is an intercollegiate Philosophy event where all segments are based on one’s knowledge and application of academic philosophy.

Mentoring

The department organizes training sessions on personality development, career mentoring, etc. to ensure all-round development of student’s growth and progress.

Department Magazine

The Philosophy Department has an annual e-magazine ZEKA which gives the opportunity to students to express their own philosophical findings through research papers, articles, poems and artwork.

Field Visits and Workshops

Students participated in various field visits, such as the Aura-Chakra Camp, The Yoga Institute, and the Global Vipassana Pagoda, along with workshops on topics like self-hypnosis, art therapy, and mandala making.

Guest Lectures and Talks

Numerous guest lectures were organized, covering a wide range of topics including gender studies, journalistic ethics, science versus religion, and philosophical themes like spirituality, mysticism, and ethics.

Webinars and Online Workshops

During the pandemic, the department adapted by conducting webinars and online workshops on diverse subjects such as yoga, spiritual healing, and wellness, ensuring continued student engagement and learning.

Interdisciplinary and Collaborative Events

Collaborative events with other departments and cells, such as workshops on research methodology, gender collaboration, and social media ethics, provided interdisciplinary learning opportunities.

Special Events and Celebrations

The department celebrated significant days and conducted special events, like the Naari Mukti Diwas and interdisciplinary lecture series, promoting holistic education and awareness on various social and philosophical issues

Students Achievements

Students from the department have achieved remarkable success across various domains. One has authored a book on personal philosophy and owns a publishing house, another is a parent coach and founder of a parenting organization. A lead counselor at a study abroad consultancy and a CEO of a trust focused on youth leadership are also among the achievers. Others have launched startups enhancing life skills and mental well-being, with additional notable accomplishments in art, skincare, and NGO work focused on health, education, and social welfare.