The Inner Republic

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The Inner Republic

Essays on Philosophy, Politics and Religion

Brainerd Prince
Plaksha University

Publication Date: c.June 2026

In The Inner Republic, Brainerd Prince explores the complex relationship between philosophy, politics and religion with a deep, reflective inquiry. Written over sixteen years, this wide-ranging collection of essays responds to events in recent history as well as age-old debates and challenges us to think more carefully about identity, freedom, community and the search for meaning.

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What does it mean to be human in a world shaped by ideas, power and belief? 

In The Inner Republic, Brainerd Prince explores the complex relationship between philosophy, politics and religion with a deep, reflective inquiry. Written over sixteen years, this wide-ranging collection of essays responds to events in recent history as well as age-old debates and challenges us to think more carefully about identity, freedom, community and the search for meaning. 

From the nature of the self and the ethics of giving to questions of democracy, dissent and the role of faith, the essays remain grounded in lived experience. Yet, they engage deeply with the ideas that shape our inner and public lives. Together, they offer a space for thoughtful engagement—an inner republic where ideas are examined and convictions take shape. 

Accessible and thought-provoking, this book speaks to readers seeking clarity in an increasingly complex world. 

    PHILOSOPHY 

    1. The Hermeneutical Nature of Knowledge 
    2. Being Human 
    3. What Is the Self? 
    4. Technologies of the Self 
    5. The Anchored Self 
    6. Growing Intentionality 
    7. Making Meaning of Life 
    8. Leaping off the Fence 
    9. Festivals and the Carnivalesque 
    10. The Ethics of Giving, Gratitude and the Gift 
    11. Thinking About Death 
    12. The Problem of ‘Theory’ in the West 
    13. The Future of Theory 

    POLITICS 

    1. The Great Indian Middle Class 
    2. Money and Capital Matters 
    3. Beyond Identity Politics 
    4. A State’s Response to Protest and Dissent 
    5. The Violence of Liberal Nicety 
    6. Re-Engineering Sloganeering 
    7. Exploring Dialogical Quotient (DQ) 
    8. Reimagining Confrontation: On War, God and Religion 
    9. Corruption 
    10. The Story of Mayangkokla of the Nagas 

    RELIGION 

    1. Idols: Material and Conceptual 
    2. Windows into Heaven 
    3. The Functional God 
    4. Responding to Death and Theodicy 
    5. The Dao of the Sangtam Nagas: A Symbol of Embrace 
    6. Game of Thrones: A Fight Against Death 
    7. Man’s Deathly Message: Inspired Mission That Builds a Mansion 
    8. The Making of Scripture 
    9. What Is ‘Good’ About Good Friday? 
    10. The Suffering of Christ: A Good Friday Meditation 
    11. The Sunset After Easter: An Easter Meditation 
    12. Easter Ruminations: To Forgive and to be Forgiven 
    13. Overcoming Betrayals 
    14. The Least of These 

Brainerd Prince
Plaksha University

Brainerd Prince is an Associate Professor and the Director of the Centre for Thinking, Language and Communication at Plaksha University. He is a writer, poet, teacher and academic. His published works include Mearcstapa (2025), Campus Lore (2022), and The Integral Philosophy of Aurobindo: Hermeneutics and the Study of Religion (2017). He completed his Ph.D. on Sri Aurobindo’s Integral Philosophy at OCMS, Oxford–Middlesex University, London.

Before Plaksha, he was a Research Fellow at the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies (OCHS) and a Research Tutor at the Oxford Centre for Mission Studies (OCMS) in the UK. He has also been Research Dean at Ecole Hôtelière, Lavasa, India.