INDIAN PHILOSOPHY AS A FOUNDATION OF THE INDIAN KNOWLEDGE TRADITION: RECONSIDERING KNOWLEDGE, SELF AND REALITY IN THE CONTEMPORARY CONTEXT
Trina Das
EPRA International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research October 17, 2026 DOI: 10.36713/epra31843 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that Indian philosophy serves as a foundational framework within the Indian Knowledge Tradition, integrating theoretical inquiry with practical experience across epistemology, metaphysics, ethics, and liberation. Contends that revitalising this tradition demands critical interpretation and contextual engagement rather than mere recognition of historical accomplishments, facilitating dialogue with contemporary knowledge systems. |
Abstract
The Indian Knowledge Tradition constitutes a rich and multidimensional intellectual heritage that has evolved through centuries of systematic inquiry into knowledge, reality, consciousness, ethics, language, society, nature, and human flourishing. Indian philosophy occupies a central position within this tradition, serving not merely as an abstract investigation of metaphysical questions but also as a comprehensive framework for understanding the nature, sources, validity, and purpose of knowledge. The diverse philosophical schools of India developed distinctive perspectives on epistemology, metaphysics, logic, language, morality, and liberation, while maintaining significant connections between theoretical inquiry and practical experience. Fundamental concepts such as pramāṇa, ātman, dharma, karma, mokṣa, yoga, ṛta, and puruṣārtha illustrate the intellectual depth and interdisciplinary character of Indian philosophical thought. This paper critically examines Indian philosophy as a foundational dimension of the Indian Knowledge Tradition, focusing on its epistemological diversity, conceptions of the relationship between the knower and knowledge, ethical foundations, and perspectives on human well-being. It further explores the contemporary significance of these philosophical insights in relation to education, ethics, sustainability, consciousness, and holistic approaches to learning. The paper argues that the revitalisation of the Indian Knowledge Tradition requires more than the recognition of historical accomplishments; it necessitates critical interpretation, contextual understanding, and meaningful engagement with the philosophical principles underlying this intellectual heritage. Such an approach can facilitate productive dialogue between classical Indian thought and contemporary knowledge systems, contributing to a more reflective, ethically informed, and inclusive understanding of knowledge and human development.