The philosophy of Nyaya, epistemology and Ayurveda research methodology

Abstract

This indigenous science of health termed Ayurveda has survived since antiquity due to its strong foundation in the form of its fundamental and basic principles developed on the basis of the tenets of Indian philosophy. The Indian Philosophy of Nyaya is known for its deliberations on the means of valid examination known as Pramaana. The study of these means of scientific enquiry is known as ‘Epistemology’. Therefore, the crux of the Nyaya system of thinking or Epistemology has transformed the method of scientific enquiry as systematic and pragmatic. rnThe means of examination/validation explained in Nyaya were probably the first ever tools for scientific enquiry in the quest for knowledge known as Research. There is a lot of talk about the choice of research methodology to be adopted which brings out the truth and extend the knowledge vistas, particularly in Ayurveda. The old concepts have to be look in the modern scientific light with no scope of any myth or fallacy. rnThis review paper therefore aims to unravel the relationship between the triad of Philosophy of Nyaya, Epistemology and Research methodology in Ayurveda and its significance in the enhancement of the knowledge of Ayurveda.