Shastrartha in India: Methodology and Applications revisits one of the richest traditions of Indic wisdom – a system of dialogue and debate that combined intellectual rigor with ethical responsibility. Unlike adversarial argumentation, Shastrartha was conceived as a collaborative quest for truth, where views were clarified, tested, and refined through disciplined yet friendly exchange to reveal the true nature of the subject matter, spanning both worldly and spiritual disciplines. In its prime, this wisdom flourished across present-day South Asia. The book traces its philosophical roots and historical expressions from the Vedic era to modern times. It then presents Shastrartha’s methodology – structuring arguments, identifying fallacies, and sustaining dialogue – while demonstrating its pressing relevance in addressing misinformation, disinformation, and ‘infodemics’. Finally, it envisions Shastrartha’s future potential in strengthening democratic dialogue, critical thinking, pedagogy, journalism, policymaking, and digital discourse, offering it as a timeless Indic model for intellectual clarity, knowledge refinement, and social resilience. About the Author Siddheshwar Shukla is a senior journalist, leading researcher, and eminent author whose work critically engages with communication studies, media practices, the development landscape, and the Indian Knowledge System (IKS) in contemporary society. |
