A qualia-centric approach to Ayurveda and Hindu knowledge systems can address modern science’s blind spot

Abstract

In this paper, I argue for approaching Ayurveda and Hindu knowledge systems in a qualia-centric manner, the way their originators intended. The materialist assumptions that underlie modern medicine, while undeniably effective, are not the only way to understand the body, just as the Western tonal system is not the only way to approach music. Using the wrong metaphysical lens is the root cause behind many seemingly intractable debates on the validity of Hindu knowledge systems. At the same time, it is important to have externally verifiable benchmarks — quality, reliability and efficacy — as universal metrics, and every healthcare provider must seek to meet them.