IISc Bengaluru professor Prathosh AP has highlighted the growing trend of students from Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) engaging with traditional Indian knowledge systems, including Sanskrit and shastras. Under his guidance, these students are reportedly enhancing their critical thinking, logical reasoning, and a sense of responsibility, skills deemed vital in the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence.
Professor AP argues that the true purpose of education extends beyond securing prestigious admissions or high-paying jobs. He believes that studying ancient texts encourages students to question established ideas, meticulously examine arguments, and cultivate a deeper understanding of life's complexities.
Sharpening Logic with Nyaya Shastra
As an example, Professor AP cited a student who had dedicated five years to studying Nyaya Shastra, an Indian philosophical tradition renowned for its focus on logic and epistemology. This student's ability to rigorously challenge the professor's arguments underscored the effectiveness of such studies. Professor AP welcomes this approach, stressing that intellectual inquiry and sound logical reasoning are paramount, regardless of the conclusion reached.
He described shastras not as repositories of fixed beliefs, but as powerful tools for developing independent thought and analytical prowess.
AI, Ethics, and the Relevance of Dharma
The professor also drew a crucial connection between traditional Indian philosophy and the ethical implications of artificial intelligence. While AI systems are becoming increasingly powerful, he contends that society must concurrently consider the responsible development and deployment of these technologies. Referencing the Mahabharata, he emphasized that algorithms should ultimately serve to improve human life.
Professor AP expressed concern about placing powerful technologies in the hands of individuals who lack an understanding of dharma, or ethical responsibility. He discussed modern AI concepts while cautioning against reducing ancient texts to mere predictions of contemporary scientific discoveries. For him, the inherent value of studying shastras lies in the intellectual development they foster, rather than simple parallels with modern science.
The Intellectual Benefits of Ancient Wisdom
Prathosh AP outlined three dimensions of traditional knowledge: intellectual, social, and metaphysical. He asserted that sustained engagement with Nyaya Shastra can significantly strengthen reasoning skills, enabling learners to approach complex subjects systematically. He even posited that someone with 12 years of Nyaya Shastra training could grasp quantum physics and advanced mathematics within a single year, an assertion he claims to have supported with experiments.
At the metaphysical level, he referenced the Upanishads, particularly the dialogue between Yajnavalkya and Maitreyi in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, which explores profound questions about wealth, happiness, and liberation.