While studying the Indian social history, a question on the decline of Indian society is generally made an important issue of discussion. The reasoning given, as explanation of the decline of the Indian society is that it suffered because the spread of knowledge was stifled. A section of Indian society generally identified with the Brahmin caste tried to establish its complete control over the spread of knowledge. They restricted the spread of knowledge by putting restriction on the right of individual and classes to gain knowledge. In the Middle Ages they banned the low castes and women from seeking the knowledge of Vedas. Further, they restricted the spread of knowledge by restricting it to Sanskrit. Then, they restricted the learning of the Sanskrit language to a large number of castes. Gradually it effected the development of the Indian society. The myths and superstitions developed and flourished in such a scenario. As a result, India suffered on many fronts. The progress of knowledge suffered. The society suffered form many social vices. It badly effected the cultural growth and intellectual achievements of the Indian people. Finally, it became the cause of the servitude of Indians of foreign invaders for more than one thousand years.
Spread of knowledge and its easy accessibility are two main important operational aspects for saving the whole humanity from numerous and some major maladies from which it suffers. Another historic fact also stands in favour of readily availability of knowledge in practical terms the books and such information which is restricted because of many restriction. IN European history, the major change in the life of European people is attributed to many factors like decline of Feudalism, rise of middle class, the attack on Constantinople, geographical discoveries and so on. However, there are many scholars who would stress that above all such changes, the invention of press and availability of printed material to a large section of humanity was the most vital among. The invention of press and availability of the easily availability of the printed material is nothing else but a easily availability of knowledge. In those days, it was a big technological solution to availability of knowledge as it is today the availability of books online.
Those who are in not favour of this approach and counter its wider implications give following arguments.
They raise the issue of intellectual property right.
They raise the issue that the knowledge is gained through extensive research and development which requires lot of investment. Therefore, those who have invested on it, only they should have the right to possess it.
Some may say that unrestricted availability of knowledge can be counterproductive. The anomaly groups (read terrorists) would get access to knowhow of making atom bombs. They would destroy the world. Therefore, unrestricted accessibility of knowledge is not the right thing to achieve.
All the above arguments and many more like that are basically political and commercial section version.
The actual truth lies somewhere between both the arguments. It rather stands alone but favours in unrestricted and total accessibility of knowledge to all. The online solution is the answer to achieve that. Therefore, there should be online availability of knowledge.
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