Ashwani Kumar Peetush

My research area is in legal and political philosophy, and ethics. My current focus is human rights, democracy and global justice. I am interested in the conditions that make possible democratic deliberation: those that foster reflective, critical and engaged citizenship. My work explores approaches to creating meaningful grassroots intercultural dialogue between various communities and peoples, given the diversity of their beliefs and practices.

The underlying motivation of my research is to raise consciousness of issues of justice and fairness; in particular, I am concerned with the manner in which specific communities are arbitrarily disadvantaged, marginalized and structurally oppressed on the basis of race, culture, gender, disability, sexual orientation and economic status. In terms of international law and global justice, I am interested in developing a pluralistic framework for understanding human rights, one which recognizes the fundamental importance of basic norms of ethical decency, of equality and freedom (especially for women and the disabled), but, at the same time respects that such norms may be justified, articulated and balanced within the self-understandings of localized contexts.

In terms of advocacy work, I do community outreach and awareness with respect to educational rights and inclusion of pupils with disabilities on a volunteer basis. I am happy to speak with parents and students regarding the Education Act of Ontario, and various policies and memoranda concerning special education and human rights.

In addition, I am interested in classical Indian philosophy and Sanskrit studies. My focus is in the metaphysics of the self and consciousness in Advaita Vedānta and Buddhism. I explore the legal and political implications of such theories with regard to current issues of toleration, pluralism and justice.

For my publications, please visit here.