Five Fundamental Principles of PROUT: Difference between revisions

In 1962, [[Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar]] formally outlined his socioeconomic theory, [[PROUT]], in sixteen numbered [[Samskrta]] aphorisms (see Chapter 5 of ''[[Ananda Sutram]]''<ref>Anandamurti, Shrii Shrii (1962). ''Ánanda Sútram''. [[Ananda Marga Publications]]. ISBN 81–7252–027–1.</ref>). The last five numbered aphorisms (5:12–16) are commonly referred to as the ''five fundamental principles of PROUT''. These five principles are deemed to be ''fundamental'', because it would be difficult to get a clear understanding of PROUT without comprehending the underlying concepts of these principles, the interrelationship of the principles, and their respective areas of application.

The five aphorisms from ''Ananda Sutram'' that constitute the Five Fundamental Principles of PROUT translate into English as follows:<ref>Bjonnes, Roar (2012). ''Principles for a Balanced Economy: An Introduction to the Progressive Utilization Theory''. Copenhagen, Denmark: PROUT Research Institute. ISBN 978-0-9857585-0-9.</ref>

An initial glimpse of these five principles first appeared in Sarkar's earlier work, [[Idea and Ideology]].<ref name="Sarkar, Prabhat Ranjan 1959">Sarkar, Prabhat Ranjan (1959). ''Idea and Ideology''. [[Ananda Marga Publications]]. ISBN 81-7252-205-3.</ref> The preliminary wording found there is:<br />

Though it is well-known and accepted that the relevant Samskrta sutras in ''Ananda Sutram'' do not translate to the words that were tacked onto the end of ''Idea and Ideology'', ''Ananda Sutram'' has never been published with an official English translation of those five aphorisms. As this is not rational, the only possible reason for that singular omission is a concession to the many authors who wrote articles and even books that employed the earlier English wording. Of course, this amounts to the imposition of dogma. But to this day, some older proutists argue feverishly and illogically in favor of that earlier wording.