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Course Detail

Course Name Indian Thought, Logic, and Knowledge Systems
Course Code 26IKS342
Semester 3
Campuses Amaravati, Amritapuri, Bengaluru, Chennai, Coimbatore, Kochi, Mysuru, Nagercoil, Faridabad and Haridwar

Syllabus

Unit 1

Civilisational Overview and Foundations of Indian Thought

  • Meaning and characteristics of civilisation: scope, periodisation, and sources
  • Foundations of Indian civilisation and cultural continuity
  • Introduction to Darśana: philosophy as a way of understanding reality
  • Astika and Nastika schools: major features and differences
  • Concepts of reality, self, and world in Indian thought
  • Relevance of Indian knowledge traditions for science and humanities students
Unit 2

Pramana Shastra — Indian Epistemology

  • Meaning of Pramāṇa: valid knowledge and error (Bhrama)
  • Pratyakṣa (perception): Nyāya and Buddhist perspectives
  • Anumāna (inference): structure and forms of reasoning
  • Śabda (testimony): authority of language and the Vedas
  • Upamāna, Arthāpatti, and Anupalabdhi as sources of knowledge
  • Nyāya categories (Prameyas) and their significance
  • Introduction to Buddhist epistemology: Dignāga and Dharmakīrti
  • Mīmāṃsā theory of self-validity of knowledge (Svataḥ Prāmāṇya)
Unit 3

Indian Logic and Debate Traditions

  • Pañcāvayava Nyāya: the five-membered syllogism
  • Comparison between Indian and Aristotelian logic
  • Vyāpti and inductive reasoning
  • Hetvābhāsa: major logical fallacies in Indian thought
  • Jāti and debate techniques in philosophical discussions
  • Vāda, Jalpa, and Vitaṇḍā: methods and ethics of debate
  • Tarka as a method of critical reasoning and analysis
Unit 4

Indian Thought in Contemporary Context

  • Orientalism and interpretations of Indian philosophy
  • Selected modern thinkers: Vivekananda, Gandhi, Aurobindo, and Ambedkar
  • Indian philosophy and contemporary global debates
  • Indian perspectives on mind, consciousness, and cognitive science
  • Relevance of Indian thought in ethics, ecology, science, and society
  • Student seminar/presentation on contemporary issues using Indian philosophical perspectives

Objectives and Outcomes

Nature of Course: Theory 

Course Objectives: 

  • To introduce students to the foundations, diversity, and intellectual traditions of Indian civilisation and philosophical thought.
  • To develop an understanding of Indian epistemology, including theories of knowledge, perception, inference, and valid cognition.
  • To examine the principles of Indian logic, debate traditions, and methods of reasoning across classical philosophical schools.
  • To critically evaluate the contemporary relevance of Indian philosophical traditions in relation to modern disciplines such as ethics, cognitive science, AI, and global philosophy.

Course Outcomes: After successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

CO Course Outcomes Knowledge level

[Bloom’s Taxonomy]
CO01 To introduce students to the foundations, diversity, and intellectual traditions of Indian civilisation and philosophical thought.

Statement: Develops an understanding of Indian civilisation, its philosophical traditions, and the diversity of knowledge systems that shaped cultural and intellectual history.

 Understand
CO02 To develop an understanding of Indian epistemology, including theories of knowledge, perception, inference, and valid cognition.

Statement: Promotes analytical thinking through the study of Indian epistemology, logic, debate traditions, and methods of inquiry.

 Analyze
CO03 To examine the principles of Indian logic, debate traditions, and methods of reasoning across classical philosophical schools.

Statement: Encourages critical reflection on knowledge, ethics, reasoning, and interpretation through engagement with classical and contemporary philosophical discussions.

 Analyze
CO04 To critically evaluate the contemporary relevance of Indian philosophical traditions in relation to modern disciplines such as ethics, cognitive science, AI, and global philosophy.

Statement: Fosters interdisciplinary awareness of the relevance of Indian thought in contemporary fields such as science, cognitive studies, artificial intelligence, ethics, culture, and global philosophy.

 Evaluate

*Programme Outcomes (PO) (As given by NBA and ABET) 

POs  COs
PO1 Disciplinary knowledge
PO2 Problem-solving skills
PO3 Critical and Analytical thinking
PO4 Scientific reasoning and Research-related skills

PO5  Communication Skills and Team work

PO6 Moral and ethical awareness
PO7 Lifelong learning
  • CO1: To introduce students to the foundations, diversity, and intellectual traditions of Indian civilisation and philosophical thought.
  • CO2: To develop an understanding of Indian epistemology, including theories of knowledge, perception, inference, and valid cognition.
  • CO3: To examine the principles of Indian logic, debate traditions, and methods of reasoning across classical philosophical schools.
  • CO4: To critically evaluate the contemporary relevance of Indian philosophical traditions in relation to modern disciplines such as ethics, cognitive science, AI, and global philosophy.

CO-PO Mapping: [affinity#: 3 – high; 2- moderate; 1- slightly

COs PO1 PO2 PO3 PO4 PO5 PO6 PO7
CO01  3  –  2  –  1  2  2
CO02  3  2  3  2  1  2  2
CO03  2  2  2  1  2  3  2
CO04  1  2  3  1  3  3  3

Evaluation Pattern

Evaluation Pattern

( Int : Ext = 60: 40 )
M-T CA ES Total
Mid Term Exam Continuous Assessment End Semester Examination
30 30 40 100
Remarks

  • CA refers to Continuous Assessment
  • MT refers to Mid Term Examination
  • ES refers to End Semester Examination
Total Marks = 100
Internal (60) External (40) Total (CA + MT + ES)
CA = (30)

Midterm (30)

 E S = (40) 30 + 30 + 40 = 100
G. Evaluation Pattern Split up (Int: Ext = 60: 40)
M-T CA ES Total
Mid Term Exam Assignment Class Test End Semester Examination
30 15 15 40 100
Remarks

  • CA refers to Continuous Assessment.
  • MT refers to Mid-term Examination.
  • ES refers to the End Semester Examination.
  • Assignments may include any one of the following: topic-based written submission, presentations, or rough book submission.
  • CA tasks will be similar across batches within a department.
  • Class Test will be a written exam for all batches within a department.
  • MT and ES will be conducted online through AUMS.
Total Marks = 100
Internal (60) External (40) Total (CA + ES)
Midterm + + CA = 30 +5+25 = 60 ES = (40) 60 + 40 = 100

Faculty Information


Dr. Sooraj M. S.
Assistant Professor, 
School of Spiritual and Cultural Studies
Amritapuri Campus, Kollam, India
Email : soorajms@am.amrita.edu

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