Page 65 - NITI - Navigating Indian Traditions in Industry

upskilling, and adaptability in their workforces. Organizations that invest in research
and development or foster knowledge-sharing environments gain a competitive edge
by staying ahead of industry trends and innovations.

Example: A technology company implements a robust learning and development
program for its employees, encouraging them to acquire new certifications and
participate in workshops. This commitment to continuous learning aligns with Nyaya’s
principle of refining knowledge to remain relevant and effective.

6. Eliminating Cognitive Bias and Logical Fallacies

The Nyaya school identifies and warns against logical fallacies (hetvabhasa),
ensuring that conclusions are free from error and based on valid reasoning. In
modern businesses, biases such as confirmation bias, anchoring, and groupthink can
impair decision-making. Adopting diverse perspectives, playing devil’s advocate, or
employing decision-making frameworks can help organizations identify and mitigate
these biases, leading to more robust and equitable outcomes.

Example: A marketing team evaluating a campaign proposal uses structured critique
sessions to challenge assumptions and identify potential flaws. This approach reduces
the risk of confirmation bias and ensures that the campaign is well-designed, mirroring
Nyaya’s vigilance against flawed reasoning.

7. Realism and Practicality in Strategy

As a realist philosophy, Nyaya teaches that strategies must be aligned with factual
realities rather than idealistic assumptions. Businesses today must operate with a clear
understanding of their market conditions, customer needs, and operational capacities.
Strategies grounded in realism ensure practical and achievable goals, minimizing
risks associated with overambitious targets or uninformed decisions.

Example: A startup assessing its market potential focuses on a niche audience,
recognizing its limited resources and capacity to scale initially. By adopting a practical
and phased approach to growth, the company ensures long-term sustainability,
reflecting Nyaya’s emphasis on realism.

3.6 Application of Mimamsa Philosophy in Modern Businesses

The Mimamsa philosophy, an integral part of Indian knowledge systems, focuses
on the interpretation of actions (karma) and their alignment with universal laws and
ethical principles (dharma). Known for its analytical approach, Mimamsa emphasizes
the importance of inquiry, systematic reasoning, and adherence to rituals and
duties, highlighting the significance of process over mere outcomes. This philosophy
offers profound lessons for modern strategic wisdom, particularly in the realms of

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