Introduction to Ānvīkṣikī - Critical Inquiry to Develop a Dhārmika Worldview
Learn how dharma uses critical reasoning to navigate the world.
Overview
In the western liberal arts and public discourse, ‘critical reasoning’ is referred to as the primary skill for the 21st century. This framing privileges a linear understanding of time, where everything modern and futuristic is ‘progress’, and all past is archaic. Critical reasoning has always been a primary focus of all ancient cultures, including the Greek foundations of western civilization. It is not a 21st century invention.
Failing to recognize this reveals a lack of self-reflexivity and critical reasoning. Reversing the gaze on Western liberal arts' narratives of reasoning exposes key gaps—one being the very framing of ‘Sustainable Development Goals’ (SDGs). If ‘Sustainable Development’ was newly conceptualized in 2015, it implies that prior ‘development’ was unsustainable. How did the unsustainable come to be accepted as ‘development’?
Contrast this with Dharma, meaning ‘that which holds’ or ‘sustains.’ In the Dharmic worldview, true progress must be inherently sustainable. This confusion stems from an inadequate understanding of the ‘self.’ When the self is seen merely as a rational or emotional construct, cognitive biases proliferate.
Indian Knowledge Systems ground all inquiry in an integral theory of self—Yoga darśana offers a precise self-description, while Sāṃkhya provides the cosmological basis. Without such a foundation, critical reasoning is ineffective and even counterproductive.
Contents
Day 1
Problem with liberal arts today, locating Ourselves, present global and leadership challenges:
- Complex Challenges of the future and their interconnections: a. Fourth industrial revolution and global transformations b. Climate crisis, planetary boundaries and limits of the Anthropocene c. Sustainable economics and limits to growth - Limits of silos thinking: a. Beyond structures and controls: volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity- the pace of change and influx of new technologies b. High modernism and risk society c. Complex systems, fundamental contradictions and the limits of siloed thinking - The need for new worldview and leadership through: a. Decision-making under complexity and ambiguity b. Integrative intelligence and systems thinking c. Constant adaptability and lifelong learning
Ānvīkṣikī - Introduction to Indian Philosophy :
The concept of knowledge, validity of knowledge and the ways of acquiring it from IKS. Build on the acquired knowledge to think clearly and make decisions.
Day 2
Praxis of Critical Enquiry:
- Different types of Meaning: literal meaning (Abhidhā), intended meaning (Lakṣaṇa), and suggested meaning (Vyañjana). - Principles of interpretation, methods to determine the purport of essays, speeches, etc. - Checking for three possible defects: Ativyāpti, Avyāpti, Asambhava
Critical Enquiry in Action - Activity Session:
This workshop will also bring theory into praxis through an exercise that addresses the three cores of Anvikshiki: - Prajñāvaiśāradyaṃ - Thoughts - Vākyavaiśāradyaṃ - Words - Kriyāvaiśāradyaṃ - Deeds
Session Recordings
Day 1
Problem with liberal arts today, locating Ourselves, present global and leadership challenges:
Day 1
Ānvīkṣikī - Introduction to Indian Philosophy
Day 2
Praxis of Critical Enquiry:
Day 2
Critical Enquiry in Action - Activity Session:
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Know your Instructors
Raghava Krishna
24 yrs spanning game development, learning and entrepreneurship. Expertise in leading cross-functional creative product development teams, learning design and org culture. He was the co-founder and Assoc Dean academics at Rashtram school of public leadership.
Srinivas Jammalamadaka
Dr. Srinivas Jammalamadaka studied Nyāya or Tarka Śāstra under Śrī A. Radhe Shyama Shastri garu, Advaita Vedanta under Śrī R. Mani Dravida Sastrigal, and Vyākaraṇa under Śrī Ganti Dattatreya Murthy. He has completed the Tenali exams in Tarka Śāstra, and has also taken the Tenali exams for Advaita Vedanta. He holds an MPhil & PhD in Nyaya shastra. He has served as Assistant Professor and Director of the School of Shastric Learning, Kavikulaguru Kalidas Sanskrit University, Ramtek and as Scholar - IKS Courses, at Siddhanta Knowledge Foundation.
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