Scientific Thinking

About the Course

Objectives

To elucidate the fundamental aspects of knowledge, its creation, its process and the method of scientific inquiry. To introduce the Navya Nyaya approach of model building. 

Expected  Outcomes

After the completion of this course, students will be able to 

• Understand Model-based reasoning as the method of all scientific inquiry
• Assess the robustness of scientific models according to criteria laid out in Vedic scientific system
• Build robust scientific models for use in simulating real-world systems
• Recontextualize Vedic shaastras as scientific models for a contemporary application. 

Target Audience

Students of STEM background at high school and UG levels

Syllabus

Unit1: The Process of Knowledge Creation

• Knowledge Vs Knowledge system
• What is science?
• The Methods & tools of Science
• Science vs Art
• Approximate vs Exact sciences
• Strengths & limits of scientific inquiry 
• The subjective element in science 

Unit2: Introduction to Model-Based Reasoning

• Models as compact representations of the observed reality
• Types of models: Top-Down, Bottom-Up & Hybrid  
• The methods of modeling: Abstraction & Classification 
• The purpose of modeling: Explain, Predict & Control reality
• Assessing the quality of a model   

Unit3: The Anatomy of a Model

• What is a Model?
• Basic entities/concepts/terms
  •   E.g., the Human body
• States of those entities
  • E.g., Pleasure, Sorrow, Understanding
• Structural / Functional relations among concepts
  • Structural E.g., the Body is part of the human system
  • Functional E.g., Conscious & sub-conscious
• Actions that trigger transitions in the state of entities
  • E.g., Explain the path from one state to another along with triggering actions
• How it represents a given question about the system

Unit4: Navya Nyaaya – A Systematic Model-building Method of India

• Anubandha chatushtaya 
• Uddesha, Lakshana, Pariiksha
• How to make a definition – Lakshanakaranam
  • Common mistakes to avoid
    • Avyaapti
    • Ativyaapti
    • Asambhava
• Introducing 7 padaarthas as building blocks of the universe
  • Dravya, Guna, Karma, Saamaanya, Vishesha, Samavaaya, Abhaava
• Method of Nyaaya Darshana
  • Sambandha is a building block of the universe
  • Nyaaya’s categorization of sambandhas
    • Vaastava
    • Vaijnaanika
  • Understanding language as a reflection of reality
  • Universe as a gluing of padaarthas with sambandhas
• Methods to arrive at truth 
  • Pratyaksha, Anumaana & Agama
  • Fallacies in Anumaana – Hetvaabhaasa

Unit5: Examples of Models

• Periodic table
• Number system
• Quantum theory 

Unit6: Case study – How to Build Your Own Model of a System

• Identifying Anubandha Chatushtaya of the study of a system
• Identifying entities comprising the system
• Defining the properties that categorize the entities 
• Defining the actions possible on the entities 
• Defining state transitions of those entities  

Evaluation

• Continuous assessments
  • Weekly quizzes
• Running assignment of model-building
• Final project presentation and report