Knowledge tradition in Indian Intellectual tradition

Understanding Knowledge

In the Indian Intellectual Tradition, knowledge was created systematically. Knowledge is a form of cognition, or Jnana in Sanskrit. Jnana is any apprehension that reveals an object, similar to how a lamp reveals objects in a room. Knowledge is a specific kind of cognition.

Elements of Knowledge Creation

Three elements are common in knowledge creation:

1. Seeker of Knowledge (Pramata): The person who desires to know something.
2. Object of Knowledge (Prameya): The entity that the seeker wants to know, which can be physical or non-physical.
3. Means of Knowledge (Pramana): The method used to examine the object of knowledge.

When these three elements come together, knowledge (Prama) is created.

True vs. False Cognition

Cognition can be classified as either true or false. True cognition (Prama) apprehends the object as it is. False cognition (A-Prama) does not apprehend the object in its true form. False cognition can be further classified into doubt, erroneous cognition, and hypothetical reasoning.

Focus on Prameya and Pramana

Different philosophical traditions focus on different parts of the knowledge triangle. The Vaisheshika tradition focuses on Prameya (objects of knowledge), while the Nyaya tradition focuses on Pramana (means of knowledge).

Nyaya-Vaisheshika Tradition

The Nyaya and Vaisheshika traditions, both part of the astika darsanas, eventually merged. The Vaisheshika tradition, attributed to Sage Kanada, focused on the objects of knowledge. The Nyaya tradition focused on the means of acquiring knowledge. Later developments in Nyaya led to Navya-Nyaya, and the two traditions are now often referred to together as Nyaya-Vaisheshika.

Conclusion

Understanding the knowledge triangle, including the Pramata (seeker of knowledge), Prameya (objects of knowledge) and Pramana (means of knowledge), is crucial in the Indian Intellectual Tradition.