Sociology and psychology relevant in dealing with behavioural challenges emerging in society due to covid

Chandigarh: In the two-webinar series planned to be undertaken collaboratively by PU-ISSER and the Department of Public Administration, P.U. Chandigarh, the first was organized on July 10, 2020 on the topic Social Sciences in the Era of COVID in the context of a famous quotation “Philosophers have Hitherto Only Interpreted the World in Various Ways. The point is to Change it.” by Karl Marx in Eleven Theses on Feuerbach. The key speaker of the Webinar was Dr. Jaskiran Kaur Mathur, Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice, Saint Francis College, Brooklyn, New York. Prof. Swarnjit Kaur, Coordinator, PU-ISSER welcomed the speaker, invited guests, faculty members, research scholars, students pursuing under graduate and post graduate courses. Dr. Swarnjit Kaur while introducing the theme related it to a few pertinent queries such as whether we look at Marxian ideology to bring about a change in the post COVID world in general and social science in particular. She also shared with the attendees that PU Administration has played a key role in facilitating the joint endeavour.
Dr. Mathur started her talk by stating that COVID-19 has posed an unprecedented humanitarian challenge to the world today that has brought back into focus the relevance of myriad disciplines of social sciences impacting the behavioral responses. Dr. Mathur stressed how technology has completely changed the world and despite it how the COVID pandemic has isolated human beings. She highlighted that in such situations the disciplines of Sociology and Psychology are relevant in dealing with behavioral challenges emerging in the society. Besides, the discipline of Philosophy has come to acquire greater relevance as the answers to questions of life in crisis can be found only in Philosophy. She brought into focus the paradox of development and human life. She stressed that we need to engage social sciences with philosophical queries as to what is human life? What is the nature of society? What is the goal of human life? What is the relation of human beings with its society and environment? And here she underlined the significance of normative dialogue on diversity of issues concerning social sciences with more philosophical foundation. We need to reflect on the ideas contributed by various Philosophers and philosophical systems such as the Nyaya Shastra which engages with true knowledge (Prama) and the sources in light to have true understanding of self and society. She also dwelled on the philosophy of Karl Marx engaging ideas of human needs, dignity, equality and liberty. She stressed that we need to engage social sciences with global issues where the pandemic has shown how the world has come together to save humanity and human lives across international boundaries and territories.
The talk was followed by engaging discussion on Marx, Feuerbach and society wherein faculty members and students posed interesting questions on were by various. The webinar was well attended by different faculty members of Panjab University, Chandigarh and from across India. Dr Bharati Garg, Administrative Coordinator, Department of Public Administration, P.U., Chandigarh proposed the vote of thanks to all.