Department of Philosophy at Don Bosco College, Tura Hosts Seminar on Locke and Nyaya’s Theories of Perception.
The Department of Philosophy organized an insightful seminar for fifth-semester Honours students on the theme “Analysis of Locke and Nyaya’s Theories of Perception.” The seminar, held in the Bosco Hall at 12:45 P.M, drew a significant audience.
Guests in attendance included the Principal, Rev. Fr. Bivan Rodriques Mukhim, Dr. Barbara S. Sangma, the IQAC Coordinator, and esteemed faculty members from the department. Honours students from both the first and third semesters, along with paper presenters from the fifth semester, participated.
The event kicked off with a welcome address by Opera G. Momin, a first-semester student, followed by an enlightening introduction to the seminar's theme by the Head of the Department, Dr. Wanphai Mary K. Japang. Dr. Japang provided valuable insights into the theories of perception as propounded by John Locke, the British Empiricist philosopher, and the Nyaya School of Indian Philosophy.
Rev. Fr. Bivan Rodriques Mukhim, the college Principal, inaugurated the seminar, offering profound reflections on the significance of perception, drawing from Plato’s renowned theory, “The Allegory of the Cave.” He urged students to actively engage in departmental and college activities, emphasizing their pivotal role in fostering academic growth.
Dr. Barbara S. Sangma, IQAC Coordinator, delivered an insightful discourse on perception, invoking the perspectives of the distinguished English poet and philosopher, Samuel Taylor Coleridge. She encouraged students to seize every learning opportunity, emphasizing the potential for intellectual enrichment.
The technical session followed, featuring presentations by fifth-semester students organized into four groups. The first and second groups presented on “Locke’s Theory of Perception,” while the third and fourth groups expounded on “Nyaya’s Theory of Perception.”
Each group meticulously analyzed, compared, and contrasted the doctrines of perception advocated by Locke and the Nyaya School.
Thursbirth D. Shira, representing the second group, succinctly summarized all presentations. He underscored the empirical nature of both theories, highlighting their shared belief in sense perception as the ultimate source of knowledge. Ultimately, he emphasized the equal importance of both senses and the mind in the knowledge acquisition process.
In the engaging question-and-answer session that followed, participants actively posed questions to the respective groups, receiving articulate responses from both group representatives and members.
The seminar was adeptly hosted by Pringprang R. Marak, a third-semester student, and concluded with a gracious vote of thanks delivered by Nangrime N. Sangma, also a student from the third semester.
