About The Course
This curriculum provides a comprehensive understanding of knowledge modelling entrenched in the Indian scientific thinking system, focusing on model-based reasoning as the core component that builds the Indian knowledge disciplines. The course initially provides a background to Indian knowledge systems and traditions and their relevance in various fields including sciences and technology. It then explores the foundational principles of the ideas of knowledge and science according to the Indian shaastras. Designed specifically for UG/ PG students, this course aims to address both their current academic requirements and future professional needs. Each module within the curriculum is meticulously developed to ensure comprehension of the idea of scientific thinking in the Indian knowledge traditions that the learners may find relevant in their contemporary learning. Extensive research has been undertaken to craft a curriculum that is both essential and relevant for students, facilitating a thorough grasp of the subject matter.
Syllabus
- Unit 1: Knowledge and its paradigm in Indian knowledge tradition
- ● Importance and stature of knowledge in the Indian world;
- ● Foundations of knowledge
- ● Systems of knowledge: Structure and content of the 4 Vedas
- ● Subsidiaries of Vedas
- Unit 2: The Process of Knowledge Creation
- ● Knowledge Vs Knowledge system
- ● What is science?
- ● The methods & tools of science - Model building empirical vs theory based
- ● The purpose of modelling: Explain, Predict & Control reality
- Unit 3: Science and Subjectivity
- ● Science vs Art
- ● Approximate vs Exact sciences
- ● Strengths & limits of scientific inquiry
- ● The subjective element in science
- Unit 4: Introduction to model-based reasoning
- ● Models as compact representations of the observed reality
- ● Types of models: Top-Down, Bottom-Up & Hybrid
- ● The methods of modelling: Abstraction & Classification
- ● Assessing the quality of a model
- Unit 5: The anatomy of a model
- ● Building blocks of a model
- ● States of entities
- ● Structural / functional relations among concepts
- ● Actions that trigger transition in states of concepts
- ● How a model represents a given question about the system
- Unit 6: Modelling Knowledge
- ● Contemporary illustrations of knowledge modelling
- ● IKS perspectives on knowledge modelling
- ● IKS illustrations on Knowledge modelling: Navya Nyaaya & others
- ● Applications of knowledge models
More Information
- Learning Objectives
- Intended Outcomes
- Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:
- • Know the structure, hierarchy and classifications of Indian knowledge systems and an overview of specific areas of Indian traditional knowledge
- • Understand Model based reasoning as the method of all scientific inquiry
- • Assess the robustness of scientific models according to criteria laid out in Vedic scientific system
- • Build robust scientific models for use in simulating real world systems
- • Re-contextualize Vedic shaastras as scientific models for a contemporary application.
