LANGUAGE IN INDIA

Strength for Today and Bright Hope for Tomorrow

Volume 22:7 July 2022
ISSN 1930-2940

Editors:
         Sam Mohanlal, Ph.D.
         B. Mallikarjun, Ph.D.
         A. R. Fatihi, Ph.D.
         G. Baskaran, Ph.D.
         T. Deivasigamani, Ph.D.
         Pammi Pavan Kumar, Ph.D.
         Soibam Rebika Devi, M.Sc., Ph.D.

Managing Editor & Publisher: M. S. Thirumalai, Ph.D.

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A Thirukkural Way of Intellectual Humility

Dr Jayashree Aanand Gajjam

Abstract

Intellectual Humility (IH) is defined in several ways, sometimes as the opposite of Intellectual Arrogance, or as the construct encompassing certain cognition-specific virtues studied under the Virtue Epistemology branch of Philosophy. In 2015, researchers at the University of Edinburgh developed a Doxastic Account of Intellectual Humility which defined it as a virtuous mean between Intellectual Arrogance and Intellectual Diffidence. Scholars have derived the five most important character traits of an Intellectually Humble person through various theories and experiments, which are given the term the ‘BIG FIVE’.

Thirukkural (‘Sacred maxims’), an ancient Indian classic Tamil masterpiece (circa 2nd century BC) written by Saint Thiruvalluvar has long taught us the practice of aRam, i.e., Virtues and Ethics. Among all other virtues, the virtues of Intelligence and Humility are considered the greatest aspiration and essence of human life.

The current research undertakes a comparative analysis of the modern theory of IH and the ancient Thirukkural and develops its own BIG SEVEN of IH specific to the teachings of Thirukkural. This work is an extension of the author’s earlier theoretical work on IH in Sanskrit Upani?adic narratives and of experimental research on 140 Indian adults. The final aim of this research is to derive Indian insights on IH, thereby discovering panhuman traits of IH so that they can be implemented in the Indian population for a harmonious future.

Keywords: Thirukkural, Intellectual Humility, Virtues, Indian Knowledge System, Philosophy

1.1. Intellectual Humility: What and Why?

Intellectual Humility (IH) is one of the most studied intellectual virtues in philosophy and psychology. Today it attracts a lot of attention from anthropology, cognitive science, sociology, child development and so on. IH is a mindset that guides our intellectual conduct. It involves several positive traits of character such as being intelligent, seeking deeper knowledge, being a good listener, etc. Even though philosophers disagree about the nature of IH, there is a strong consensus regarding its widespread importance in several phases and situations of human life. IH will bring a harmonious future, especially in India which comprises people with several different practices.

This is only the beginning part of the article. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE IN PRINTER-FRIENDLY VERSION.

Dr Jayashree Aanand Gajjam
Assistant Professor, Centre of Excellence for Indian Knowledge System
IIT Kharagpur
jayashree1aanand@gmail.com
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