Indic Meta Thinking

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

₹2,500.00(GST additional)

About The Course

Meta thinking, often referred to as meta cognition, is the act of thinking about thinking. It involves being aware of and understanding one's own thought processes, strategies, and cognitive abilities. Meta thinking allows individuals to monitor, analyze, and regulate their thinking in order to improve learning, problem-solving, decision-making, and overall cognitive performance. It involves reflecting on one's own cognitive strengths and weaknesses, recognizing biases and assumptions, and adapting strategies to achieve better outcomes. In essence, meta-thinking is about being mindful of how you think and utilizing that awareness to enhance cognitive abilities and optimize mental processes. This course comprehensively explores methodologies, processes and many more related to meta thinking encapsulated in various disciplines of Indian Knowledge Systems. This course sheds light on thought and its profound impact on shaping human society. Through examining the core principles that have guided one of the world's oldest civilizations, students will gain insights into the timeless concepts and their relevance in the modern world.

Syllabus

Part - 1 - Foundation
Unit I: Mapping Meta Thinking in IKS

● Introduction to Meta Thinking
● Introduction to IKS
● Introduction to Darsanas
● Introduction to cognition according to various darsanas

Unit II: Exploring Prameya (Subject of Cognition)

● Exploring Cosmology in Different Darsanas
● Worldview according to Navyanyaya
● Introduction to 7 padarthas

Part - 2 - How does cognition happen? | Process of cognition
Unit III: Exploring Pramanas (Means of Cognition)

● Pratyaksha: Perception
● Anumana: Inference
● Upamana: Comparison or Analogy
● Sabda: Verbal Testimony or Word
● Arthapatti: Postulation or Presumption
● Anupalabdhi: Non-apprehension or Non-cognition

Unit IV: Pratyaksha Pramana

● Classification of Pratyaksha: Perception
● Loukika-Pratyaksha: Ordinary Perception or Empirical Perception
● Alaukika-Pratyaksha: Extraordinary Perception or Transcendental Perception
● Process of Loukika Pratyaksha
● Definition of Indriya (Sensory organ)
● Types of Sannikarshas (different modes of contact)
● Aids in Loukika Pratyaksha
● Barriers in Loukika Pratyaksha (Samkhya Karika)

Unit V: Types of Cognition

● Prama (Valid cognition)
● Brahma (Non-valid Cognition)
● Process of Bhrama
● Casual analysis of Bhrama
● Validation of Prama and determination of Bhrama

Unit VI: Anumana (Inference)

● Process of Anumana
● Classification of Anumana
● Svartha Anumana: Inference for oneself
● Parartha Anumana: Inference for others
● Vyapti
● Types of Hetu

Unit VII: Pancha-avayava (Five membered syllogisms)

● Introduction to dialectics
● Significance of Pancha-avayava system
● Pratijna: Proposition or Thesis
● Hetu: Reason
● Udaharana: Example
● Upanaya: Application
● Nigamana: Conclusion
● Objectives of each avayava

Unit VII: Hetvabhasa (Casual Fallacies)

● Savyabhichara: Erratic or Fallacious Reason
● Sadharana: Common or General
● Asadharana: Uncommon or Special
● Anupasamhari: Non-exclusion or Non-limiting
● Viruddha: Contradictory or Opposed
● Satpratipaksha: Counteracting Reason
● Asiddhi: Unestablished or Unproven
● Ashrya-asiddhi: Unestablished Substratum
● Svarupa-asiddhi: Unestablished Nature
● Vyapyatva-asiddhi: Unestablished Pervasion
● Badha: Contradiction or Refutation

Part - 3 - Why does cognitional discrepancies occur?
Unit VII: Chitta

● Introduction to chitta
● Chittabhumis
● Chittavrittis
● Chittavikshepas

Unit VIII: Solution for clarity

● Shadanga-yoga
● Kriya yoga

Part - 4 - Outcome of Indic Meta Thinking
Unit IX: Outcome of Indic Meta Thinking

● Prajna-vakya-kriya Vaisharadyam (Arthashastra): Clarity in Wisdom, Speech, and Action
● Vyasana-abhyudaya-buddhi-avasthapanam (Arthashastra): Establishing Intelligence in Adversity and Prosperity
● Framework of Shravana-manana-nididhyasana: Framework of Listening, Reflection, and Meditation

More Information

Learning Objectives
● To develop a comprehensive understanding of meta thinking within the context of Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) and its application in enhancing cognitive abilities and optimizing mental processes.

Intended Outcomes
● Gain a deep understanding of meta thinking and its significance in improving learning, problem-solving, decision-making, and overall cognitive performance.
● Explore methodologies and processes related to meta thinking as encapsulated in various disciplines of Indian Knowledge Systems.
● Develop the ability to monitor, analyze, and regulate one's own thought processes effectively.
● Recognize cognitive biases and assumptions and learn strategies to mitigate their impact.
● Enhance critical thinking skills by reflecting on one's own cognitive strengths and weaknesses.
● Gain insights into the timeless concepts of Indian Knowledge Systems and their relevance in the modern world.
● Understand the profound impact of thought on shaping human society through the lens of Indian Knowledge Systems.
● Apply meta thinking principles to real-life situations and challenges to achieve better outcomes.