Vedapedia: Vedic paradigm

The Vedic paradigm is a fundamental conceptual framework upon which the entire architecture of knowledge in Vedapedia is built. It represents the highest form of a scientific paradigm, incorporating all other paradigms in a non-contradictory manner.

The Vedic paradigm reveals the Absolute as an inconceivable (through intellectual efforts alone) unity and difference of the personal and impersonal aspects of the Superconsciousness (achintya-bheda-abheda-tattva). For Vedapedia, the understanding of the Absolute is not merely a philosophical concept, but a practical tool for structuring any scientific and encyclopedic information.

1. What a paradigm is within the framework of Vedapedia

In the context of the Vedic paradigm, science is the ability of individual consciousness to cognize reality, that is, the Superconsciousness and its various energies (aspects). The process of cognition always includes three elements: the knower (jnata), the instrument of knowledge (jnana), and the object of knowledge (jneyam). Scientific knowledge has a strict hierarchical structure consisting of three levels:

• Postulates (Axioms): Fundamental truths about the nature of reality, stemming from the understanding of the Absolute. There are many classifications of them, developed by scholars according to time, place, and circumstances. The basic classification of Vedanta includes: the nature of the Superconsciousness (ishvara), individual consciousness (jiva), material nature (prakriti), time (kala), and cause-and-effect interactions (karma). Postulates are accepted based on methodological principles of cognition, which themselves depend on the perception of reality. They are revealed by the Superconsciousness to the individual consciousness depending on the nature of their relationship.
• Theories (Scientific models): Systems explaining exactly how postulates shape the structure of reality at its various levels, which is reflected in specific scientific disciplines. Leading theories possess the highest confirmability, as well as the breadth of explanations and predictions. Any theory contains a particle of truth and reflects a certain sector of reality, but it can be false in those aspects where its explanations go beyond the breadth of its author's consciousness.
• Technologies (Practice): Applied tools, methods, and processes of interaction with external and internal reality based on its theoretical understanding (both in the natural sciences and humanities) to satisfy the needs of individual consciousnesses. An incomplete understanding of reality does not allow for the development of technologies capable of fully satisfying the needs of individual consciousness and harmoniously coexisting with the holistic system of the world. The totality of technologies forms a certain type of civilization.

Knowledge in science is divided into many paradigms, depending on the breadth of consciousness of the knower, that is, on the degree of their understanding of the Superconsciousness.

2. Levels of existing paradigms (Principle of integration)

Vedapedia does not blindly deny the achievements of modern sciences. Vedic methodology uses the principle of integration: lower paradigms are not rejected but occupy their strictly limited place within the higher one.

Vedapedia authors must understand the principle of the hierarchy of paradigms when describing any phenomena. Classifications of paradigms are diverse and depend on the degree of detail, historical period, and cultural area. The basic classification is the division of paradigms based on their relationship to the three fundamental aspects of reality: matter (adhibhautika, sat), information (adhidaivika, chit), and consciousness (adhyatmika, ananda):

• Materialism (Mechanicism): Recognizes matter as the highest and only aspect of reality, being a totality of physical interactions. In Vedapedia, this approach is recognized as valid only for describing the gross mechanisms of material nature, but is categorically rejected as an explanation for the causes of the origin of life, information, or consciousness.
• Dualism: Recognizes the existence of both matter and information (ideas), but is often unable to explain their connection and ultimate unifying source. This paradigm describes reality at the level of interaction between the subtle and gross planes of existence.
• Idealism (Impersonalism): Postulates the primacy of consciousness but deprives the Absolute of other aspects (in particular, personal qualities). In Vedapedia, this level is recognized as higher than materialism, but incomplete, as it inaccurately describes the original nature of consciousness and its relationships with other aspects of reality.
• Personalism (Achintya-bheda-abheda): The highest paradigm of Vedapedia. It asserts that the source of all that exists (both consciousness and information, as well as matter) is the Supreme Personality—the Superconsciousness. Matter, information, and consciousness are His energies, which are simultaneously one with Him and different from Him.

The Vedic paradigm represents a personalistic worldview. This is reflected in its understanding of reality and methodological postulates. In particular, only the Superconsciousness can reveal true knowledge about reality to the individual consciousness in accordance with its level of purity in their relationship. The Vedic paradigm is a paradigm of revelation, which is reflected in its name: Veda is reliable knowledge obtained through the testimony of the Superconsciousness.