Indology and its various lists

[Guest guest]

I have been following these various indology lists for a long time

now (nearly 2 years) and i have found that much of it has degrader to

bickering and just dumb attacks. Please for the sake of

respectability and scholarly work keep the posts only dealing with

scholarly issues. I commend the many scholars (both who belong to

formal institutions and those who are self taught scholars in their

own right) but we should keep these lists as venues for dialogue not

attacking. Many people on these forums just come on and don't

contribute one inkling of worthwhile information rather they just

attack. I recommend that people instead of dwelling on the past

history of colonial Indology should progress and deal with the issues

and contentions brought on by modern Indology and comparative

linguistics. Those who oppose AIT and AMT should also learn the

various basics of comparative linguistics and also the related Indo-

Eurporean languages like Indo-Iranian and so on. That way we can

engage in a truly scholarly and informative discussion. Those

scholars who support AIT and AMT should also understand and look at

the other perspective, namely the history of Indology and the

agruments made by the opposing sides. It seems that both sides are

equally determined to undermine and debunk each other rather than

understand each other. Knowledge and the truth only comes from

understanding. I would recommend that both sides take the position

of the opposition and for a while attempt understand see that

perspective. This is what scholarly discussions should be about. If

anyone makes a valid point it should be accepted regardless of

whether the individual is a Phd. or just BA in some other field.

Respect the oppositions views and then we will truly understand our

own. The list shouldn't be about debunking and converting others to

our view point but should be about understanding the various

perceptions of truth. I hope all of these indology lists will see

this and attempt to follow this path. I would request the scholars

who left to try and come back but if they don't see any fruitful

reason to then they should remain out until these lists fix

themselves or someone fixes them. Please excuse me if i have

offended anyone.

Thanks

 

Shanti

-Mukunda