TALKS
Thinkers Academy to Lead -India Towards- Knowledge Society

TALKS INDIA is driven by the belief that "human consciousness is the unique faculty of acquiring knowledge and critical thinking." Our mission, encapsulated in the motto "Lead India Towards Knowledge Society," fuels our commitment to intellectual growth and societal progress. Led by the Kottayam Public Library and MA Foundation, TALKS INDIA is launching its inaugural chapter to engage, inspire, and educate. This initiative aims to revolutionise thinking, learning, and innovation.

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Latest News: To commemorate the enduring legacy of Rev. Benjamin Bailey, a pioneering missionary and educator in Kerala who championed liberal education and critical thinking, this special edition will be held at CMS College on 14 March at 10:30 AM VIEW

CRITICAL THINKING

Homo sapiens first emerged on Earth around three million years ago, but the cognitive revolution truly began only about 10,000 years ago. Since the time humans started inscribing symbols and letters on cave walls and carving them onto tablets, we have been acquiring, collecting, and processing information, building a vast reservoir of knowledge that spans the past, present, and future. The development of languages further advanced this process, enabling systematic communication and the creation of epic tales and classical literature. Ancient civilizations, often rooted in fertile regions, began organizing communal life, establishing governing systems shaped by intellectual and philosophical perspectives.

As humans marvelled at the world around them, our intellect sought to understand the “why” behind the phenomena we observed. This quest for understanding sets us apart from the rest of the ecosystem. We possess a unique capability, distinct from any other species—the ability to think about our own thinking. This self-awareness, or what can be described as “consciousness about consciousness” (Consciousness²), is a hallmark of human intellect.

To explore this concept further, we introduce “Marginal Hermeneutics,” a method of interpreting knowledge from the margins. This approach involves critically analyzing existing knowledge, challenging its validity, and adapting it to contemporary contexts. Human knowledge is not static; it requires constant reinterpretation and evolution. Marginal Hermeneutics provides a historical and critical framework for this process.

The term “hermeneutics” has its roots in Greek mythology, where Hermes, the ancient god, served as a messenger between the gods and humans. In scientific discourse, hermeneutics has evolved into a method for interpreting and reinterpreting classical knowledge to make it relevant to modern times. As an epistemological approach, Marginal Hermeneutics offers a means to improve and reinterpret any body of knowledge, fostering continuous innovation through critical thinking.

The concept of “marginal” can be illustrated using the analogy of a book. A book is both a historical document and a source of knowledge, designed to be read and interpreted. Margins are an essential feature of books, providing space for readability and interpretation. However, a book that remains unopened and unread serves no purpose. When we engage with a book, we do so from the margins of our own education, knowledge, and mental framework. In this way, reading is inherently a marginal activity. Similarly, “tradition,” while seemingly fixed and objective, is subject to the subjective experiences of its interpreters. Tradition must be continuously reinterpreted to remain dynamic, fresh, and innovative.

In this sense, traditions—whether in religion, ideology, philosophy, education, culture, or governance—often appear static and unchanging. If not allowed to evolve, traditions can become rigid, unresponsive, and lifeless. However, in a world where social and technological changes occur exponentially, innovation and adaptability are essential for the survival and continuity of tradition. Traditions that resist disruption and refuse to entertain critical thinking are at risk of becoming obsolete.

The primary goal of TALKS INDIA is to cultivate critical thinking skills among members of the Thinkers Academy. We encourage our speakers to adopt the philosophical approach of “Continuity and Disruption of Knowledge for Innovation and Sustainability.”

In the context of India’s National Education Policy (NEP 2020), which aims to foster responsible individuals in an era dominated by artificial intelligence, it is imperative to reimagine and reshape the objectives of learning and teaching. The focus should shift to “Education for Innovation and Sustainability.” Indian education must move beyond its colonial legacy, which primarily aimed to produce clerks or sepoys for the colonial masters. Instead, a structural transformation is needed to guide India towards becoming a knowledge-driven economy/society.

KNOWLEDGE SOCIETY/ECONOMY

The evolution of human societies began with tribes and clans, which later developed into agrarian economies. As we entered the industrial age, human labor and capital became the primary means of production, particularly in the manufacturing sector. The mid-20th century marked a shift to mass production, and by the late 20th and early 21st centuries, technology and human intellect emerged as key drivers of economic growth. The advent of information and communication technologies (ICT) has made knowledge a ubiquitous and influential force across all aspects of society and the economy.

The concept of the “Knowledge Economy” was first introduced by Peter Drucker in his 1969 book, The Age of Discontinuity. By the mid-1990s, the European Commission was actively exploring the competitive advantages of transitioning to a knowledge-based economy. Drucker identified three key characteristics of this new economy: borderlessness, where knowledge flows freely; upward mobility, available to everyone; and the potential for success and failure, where anyone can acquire the necessary knowledge, but not everyone will succeed.

In discussions about the knowledge society and economy, the terms “knowledge” and “information” are often used interchangeably, particularly in the context of IT and computer sciences. However, the true focus should be on cognitive science, as the human brain is an intangible asset capable of processing and applying knowledge to create immense socio-economic value. While artificial intelligence can support human creativity, it cannot replace the ingenuity and innovation that stem from the human mind.

The knowledge society/economy aspires to be transparent, equitable, inclusive, and responsible. Unlike the industrial economy, which is centered on physical objects and a win-lose logic, the knowledge economy operates on a win-win logic: when knowledge is shared, it is not diminished but rather enriched. This promotes collaboration and shared ownership of knowledge and resources.

Productivity in the knowledge economy depends on the ability to create, process, analyze, and apply knowledge-based information efficiently. This economy is global, operating in real-time, and allows for the hiring of skilled labor from anywhere in the world, with operations often conducted virtually. Success in this economy is driven by constant innovation, flexibility, marketing, and strong branding.

India’s emergence as a player in the knowledge economy has been accelerated by economic liberalization, which has spurred growth in sectors such as telecom, IT/ITES/ICT, and new media. This has had a transformative impact on the country’s GDP, with studies showing significant correlations between technological penetration and economic growth. For example, a 10% increase in mobile penetration in India leads to a 1.2% annual GDP increase, and a 10% increase in broadband penetration boosts GDP growth by 1.38%.

As Thomas Friedman observed, “India is now able to compete for global knowledge work as never before.” However, the development of the knowledge economy in India is complex and uneven, with agricultural, industrial, and knowledge economies coexisting in various stages across the country. This unique blend of economic realities presents both challenges and opportunities as India continues to evolve in the global knowledge economy.