Spiritual Humanism in the Thought of Swami Vivekananda and Its Implications for Youth Empowerment

Abstract

This paper examines the concept of spiritual humanism in the thought of Swami Vivekananda and analyses its implications for contemporary youth empowerment. Drawing on his Vedantic philosophy, the study interprets spiritual humanism as the integration of individual divinity, universal brotherhood, and service-oriented action for holistic human development. Using a qualitative philosophical-analytical approach based on primary writings and secondary scholarly interpretations, the paper identifies key dimensions of empowerment embedded in Vivekananda’s ideas, including character formation, self-efficacy, moral responsibility, and socially engaged leadership. The analysis argues that Vivekananda’s emphasis on ‘man-making education,’ strength, and self-realisation provides a value-based framework capable of addressing current crises of identity, purposelessness, and ethical decline among youth. The paper concludes that spiritual humanism offers a transformative paradigm that links inner awakening with social commitment, thereby fostering resilient, socially responsible, and globally conscious young citizens.