Reimagining Indian Knowledge Systems: A Philosophical Exploration

Abstract

Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) embody a rich and diverse repository of philosophical, scientific, and cultural traditions that have evolved over millennia. Despite its profound influence on Indian thought and society, IKS remains largely unexplored and underappreciated in contemporary academic discourse. This paper aims to critically examine the epistemological foundations of IKS, interrogating its underlying assumptions, methodologies, and knowledge structures. Employing a philosophical and conceptual analysis, we will deconstruct the dominant paradigms of IKS, highlighting its distinctive features, strengths, and limitations. Specifically, we will explore the notions of prama (knowledge), pramana (means of knowledge), and darsana (philosophical systems), and examine their implications for understanding reality, knowledge, and human existence. By revisiting the epistemological foundations of IKS, this paper seeks to contribute to a deeper understanding of Indian thought and its relevance to contemporary debates in philosophy, science, and culture.