he intention of this dissertation is to assess the continuous and abiding influence of Tolstoy on Gandhi's intellectual development while in South Africa. With this objective in mind the hermeneutic philosophy of interpretation and understanding has been presented in the Introduction as a schema in terms of which Gandhi's intellectual development may be more readily understood. Hermeneutics attempts to expose the oft unrecognized fact that it is impossible to speak of 'presupposition less' understanding It refutes the thesis that Gandhi's philosophy was either Hindu or Christian. Rather Gandhi's interpretation of Hinduism while in South Africa should be seen in terms of his familiarity with the 'Christian life-conception' of Tolstoy and the Theosophy of his London circle of acquaintances.....