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==Introduction==

==Introduction==

The [[Charak Samhita]] begins with a chapter detailing the means to attaining a long, healthy and happy life, explaining certain basic tenets of [[Ayurveda]] and the consequent foundational concepts necessary to build a body of knowledge. This chapter provides a description of the origin, definition, and scope of [[Ayurveda]]. It further deliberates on the critical concepts of [[Ayu]] (or the life-span of a human being) and its qualitative dimensions, and [[arogya]] (or health) as a means of achieving the four fundamental instincts (virtue, wealth, gratification and emancipation) of life on this earth.  

The [[Charak Samhita]] begins with a chapter detailing the means to attaining a long, healthy and happy life, explaining certain basic tenets of [[Ayurveda]] and the consequent foundational concepts necessary to build a body of knowledge. This chapter provides a description of the origin, definition, and scope of [[Ayurveda]]. It further deliberates on the critical concepts of [[Ayu]] (or the life-span of a human being) and its qualitative dimensions, and [[arogya]] (or [[health]]) as a means of achieving the four fundamental instincts (virtue, wealth, gratification and emancipation) of life on this earth.  

In [[Ayurveda]], the process of scientific inquiry and creation of knowledge involves the community of people or societies at large ([[loka]]). Within the community, it is believed that scientific knowledge is created by the interchange of information between patients, practitioners and researchers through various modes of interaction. The knowledge created in this process is theorized, supported with applicable evidence and logic, and then documented systematically in the scientific scriptures ([[shaastra]]). This explains the mode of ''Ayurvedic'' knowledge creation (which corresponds with the current method of scientific inquiry and knowledge creation). Once documented, the “higher levels” of scientific knowledge – or inferences -  of the [[shaastra]] are delivered again to the [[loka]] for public use. Thus, knowledge creation is a dynamic, iterative process involving the [[loka]] and the [[shaastra]]. When this dynamic interaction stops, knowledge becomes static and is dropped back in the history and the search for new alternative knowledge continues.  

In [[Ayurveda]], the process of scientific inquiry and creation of knowledge involves the community of people or societies at large ([[loka]]). Within the community, it is believed that scientific knowledge is created by the interchange of information between patients, practitioners and researchers through various modes of interaction. The knowledge created in this process is theorized, supported with applicable evidence and logic, and then documented systematically in the scientific scriptures ([[shaastra]]). This explains the mode of ''Ayurvedic'' knowledge creation (which corresponds with the current method of scientific inquiry and knowledge creation). Once documented, the “higher levels” of scientific knowledge – or inferences -  of the [[shaastra]] are delivered again to the [[loka]] for public use. Thus, knowledge creation is a dynamic, iterative process involving the [[loka]] and the [[shaastra]]. When this dynamic interaction stops, knowledge becomes static and is dropped back in the history and the search for new alternative knowledge continues.