Bharatiya Knowledge Ecosystem and Knowledge Models

30 hours Hours
3 Credits
*(T&C Apply) Credits applicable only for Undergraduate and Postgraduate students enrolling for SIKSHA courses through academic institutions based in India.
UG
Upcoming Courses

(GST additional)

About The Course

This course, Bharatiya Knowledge Ecosystem and Knowledge Models, offers an interdisciplinary approach that combines traditional Indic knowledge systems with modern scientific thinking. In the first half of the course, students will explore the sources, classifications, and philosophical frameworks of Bharatiya knowledge, ranging from the Vedas to auxiliary sciences such as linguistics, astronomy, and geometry. The second half of the course introduces scientific thinking, focusing on model-based reasoning and the creation of knowledge through empirical inquiry. By integrating ancient wisdom with contemporary scientific methods, this course provides students with the tools to critically engage with and contribute to both traditional and modern knowledge systems

Syllabus

Unit 1: Foundations of Bharatiya Knowledge Ecosystem Concepts of Knowledge:
Explore traditional Bharatiya concepts of knowledge (Jñāna and Vijñāna) and their transformation in modern contexts. Examine the evolution of key terms like ‘knowledge’, ‘skills’, and ‘education’.
● Sources of Knowledge:
Study oral traditions, manuscripts, and written texts as sources of knowledge. Analyze how these contribute to ancient and contemporary systems of knowledge.
● Vedic Texts and Interpretations:
Discuss the structure, classification, and interpretation of Vedic texts. Compare ancient and modern interpretations and their role in current thought.
● Knowledge in Rituals:
Examine how rituals and ancient texts mutually influence one another and shape Bharatiya knowledge systems.
● Classification of Knowledge:
Traditional classifications of knowledge in the Indian context, such as the 64 fields of knowledge and the distinction between Sāttvika, Rājasika, and Tāmasika knowledge.

Unit 2: Auxiliary Sciences and Their Contemporary Relevance
● Phonetics, Linguistics, and Metrics:
Study ancient systems of phonetics and linguistics and their modern relevance. Explore the role of prosody in the preservation of oral texts and its contribution to mathematics.
● Semantics and Hermeneutics:
Analyze the interpretation of meaning in ancient texts, focusing on how these systems influence modern semantics and cognitive studies.
● Mathematics and Geometry in Rituals:
Explore the mathematical underpinnings of rituals and their connections to geometry, binary systems, and the concept of zero.
● Astronomy and Meteorology:
Examine the ancient Indian understanding, particularly in relation to modern fields such as astronomy, linguistics etc.

Unit 3: Interpretative Frameworks and Philosophical Systems
● Philosophical Systems:
Study key philosophical schools like Mimamsa, Vedanta, Nyaya, Vaiseshika, Sankhya, and Yoga, focusing on their applications in contemporary philosophy, psychology, and ethics.
● Interpretation of Ancient Texts:
Investigate traditional methods of textual interpretation and their relevance in modern knowledge management, linguistic analysis, and cognitive science.
● Epic and Narrative Literature:
Examine how epics like the Mahabharata and Ramayana act as repositories of knowledge and offer insights into governance, ethics, and social structures.
● Indic Models of Knowledge in Aesthetics, Health, and Public Administration:
Analyze the traditional models of knowledge in various domains such as Arthashastra (governance), Natya Shastra (aesthetics), and Ayurveda (health).

Unit 4: The Process of Knowledge Creation
What is Knowledge and Knowledge Systems?
Distinguish between knowledge (as information) and knowledge systems (as processes of extracting knowledge).
● Introduction to Science:
Define science and its distinction from art. Discuss the empirical and theoretical bases of scientific inquiry.
● Methods and Tools of Science:
Explore model building, strengths, and limitations of scientific inquiry, as well as the subjective element in science.
● Approximate vs. Exact Sciences:
Study the distinction between approximate and exact sciences and the implications of this difference for model-based reasoning.
● Strengths and Limits of Scientific Inquiry:
Discuss the scope of scientific investigation and its applicability to real-world problems.

Unit 5: Model-Based Reasoning in Scientific Thinking
● Models as Representations of Reality:
Understand models as compact representations of observed reality. Study different types of models: Top-Down, Bottom-Up, and Hybrid models.
● Purpose and Methods of Modelling:
Investigate abstraction and classification as methods of modelling. Learn how models are used to explain, predict, and control reality.
● Anatomy of a Model:
Analyze the components of a model, including the states of entities, structural and functional relations among concepts, and the actions that trigger state transitions.
● Assessing the Quality of a Model:
Learn criteria for evaluating models and their effectiveness in answering questions related to knowledge systems.
● Traditional and Modern Knowledge Models:
Discuss how traditional Bharatiya knowledge models can be integrated with modern scientific frameworks for a holistic understanding of knowledge.

More Information

Learning Objectives
The course aims to:
● 1. Introduce students to the foundational concepts, sources, and structures of Bharatiya knowledge systems.
● 2. Analyze the auxiliary sciences that supported ancient knowledge systems and their relevance in modern contexts.
● 3. Explore philosophical frameworks and their contribution to knowledge creation, interpretation, and application in governance.
● 4. Encourage critical thinking about the role of knowledge in societal well-being and governance.
● 5. Introduce model-based reasoning as a core scientific methodology and demonstrate its relevance to the study of ancient Indic knowledge systems.
● 6. Equip students with the skills to assess, build, and apply scientific models in both traditional and contemporary contexts.
● 7. Recontextualize Vedic śāstras as scientific models for use in modern real-world problems.

Intended Outcomes
completion of the course, students will be able to:
● 1. Gain a comprehensive understanding of the Bharatiya knowledge ecosystem, including its philosophical, ritualistic, and textual foundations.
● 2. Understand the interconnectedness of knowledge, ethics, governance, and societal prosperity through both traditional and modern lenses.
● 3. Develop critical thinking on the relevance and application of ancient knowledge systems in contemporary governance and societal structures.
● 4. Build and assess robust scientific models for simulating real-world systems using both modern and traditional approaches.
● 5. Recontextualize Vedic śāstras as models with scientific applications, contributing to contemporary discourse on knowledge and its applications.
● 6. Apply model-based reasoning to interpret traditional texts and integrate these with modern scientific methods for academic and real-world solutions.