Carvaka Philosophy Manisha Dutta Hazarika, Assistant Professor Department of Philosophy
Introduction Carvaka Philosophy is a non-vedic school of Indian Philosophy. Generally, Carvaka is the word that stands for materialist According to one view, Carvaka was originally the name of a sage who propounded materialism. According to another view, Carvaka was a common name given to a materialist, either because he preached the doctrine of eat, drink and be merry (Carv-eat, chew) or because his words are pleasant and nice ( caru- nice, vak-word). Some writers regard Brhaspati as the founder of materialism. It was also known as lokayatamata.
Three Chief Heads Of Carvaka Philosophy The Carvaka Epistemology The Carvaka Metaphysics The Carvaka Ethics
The Carvaka Epistemology The entire philosophy of the Carvakas may be said to be based on the their epistemology. Perception is the only source of knowledge. Inference is not a valid source of knowledge. Testimony is also not a safe source of knowledge.
Carvaka Metaphysics The Carvaka metaphysics follows from the epistemological conclusion that perception is the only valid source of knowledge. Matter is the only reality.the world is made of four elements: Earth, water, air and fire. Rejection of ether because it has to be inferred. Not only the non-living material objects but also the living organisms are composed of these four elements.
Carvaka Metaphysics There is no soul. The Carvakas admit the existence of consciousness. A soul is nothing more than this conscious living body.(caitanya- visista deha eva atma) All questions about previous life, after-life, rebirth, enjoyment of the fruits of actions in heaven or hell are meaningless. There is no God. The material elements themselves have got each its fixed nature.( svabhava) It is also known as naturalism (Svabhavavada) It may also be called Positivism.
Carvaka Ethics Ethics is the science of morality. It discusses problems like:what is the highest goal of human life? What should be the end of human life? The Carvakas discuss these ethical problems in conformity with their metaphysical theories. The goal of human life is to attain the maximum amount of pleasure in this life, avoiding pain as far as possible. A good life is a life of maximum enjoyment.
Carvaka Ethics Some Indian thinkers speak of the four ends of human activity ( Purusartha) : wealth (artha),enjoyment (kama), virtue ( dharma) and liberation ( moksa). Carvakas reject virtue and liberation. Enjoyment is the ultimate end ; wealth is not an end in itself, it is a means to enjoyment. Religion is thus reduced to morality and morality to the search of pleasure. It is only the logical outcome of its materialistic metaphysics.sss
Conclusion The Carvaka philosophy is a philosophy of free- thinking. It rejects the authority of the Vedas. The Carvaka is a materialist, positivist, naturalist, grossly egoistic atheist. Scepticism is an expression of a free mind that refuses to accept the traditional dogmas and beliefs without a searching criticism. The Carvaka philosophy saved Indian philosophy from falling into the pitfalls of dogmatism.
Conclusion Therefore the value of Carvaka philosophy lies in supplying new philosophical problems and in compelling other philosophers in giving up dogmatism and become more critical and careful in speculation and statement of their own views. *******************************
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Theories of Metaphysics: Pluralism, Dualism and Monism Manisha Dutta Hazarika Assistant Professor, Dept. Of Philosophy MDKG College, Dibrugarh
Pluralism Pluralism is the ontological theory according to which there are many realities underlying the whole universe. Two forms of Pluralism Materialistic and Spiritualistic.
Materialistic Pluralism Atomism is the materialistic pluralism. Democritus was the advocate of it. Matter alone is the fundamental stuff of the universe. The laws of nature govern all phenomena of nature, not by God.
Materialistic Pluralism The atoms are eternal and always in motion. Democritus and Lucretius are supporters of materialistic Pluralism. Materialistic Pluralism cannot explain the order, harmony and organic unity of the universe satisfactorily.
Spiritualistic Pluralism Leibnitz is the founder of spiritualistic pluralism. The ultimate units of the reality are spiritual atoms called monads. They are eternal, windowless, unextended self-active in nature.
Spiritualistic Pluralism Leibnitz established the theory of preestablished harmony. The universe is composed of monads, influencing each other, a harmony establishes by God. This is also not a satisfactory theory.
Dualism There are two fundamental realities underlying the universe. Plato advocated dualism and believed in two fundamental realities: God and Matter. Aristotle also advocates dualism. He also talks of God and matter.
Dualism Descartes regards God as the independent substance. Mind and body as independent of each other. Dualism is not a satisfactory theory.
Monism There is only one reality underlying the whole universe Ultimate reality can be only one Two kinds of Monism: Abstract and Concrete
Abstract Monism Spinoza is a typical exponent of abstract monism. God is the only reality. God is an absolute, indeterminate, infinite, unqualified, attribute less being. He has given a monistic explanation of the relation between mind and body.
Abstract Monism Spinoza has presented a parallelistic theory. Mind and body are two rays of the same light. He is an advocate of pantheism. This theory is not free from criticism.
Concrete Monism Hegel is a typical exponent of concrete monism. He regards one and many both as real, many objects and minds as expressions and manifestations of one infinite spirit. All substances and objects found in the world are manifestations of the power called God.
Concrete Monism There is no world without God and no God without the world. God is both immanent and transcendent of the world. Concrete monism of Hegel may be regarded as more rational metaphysical theory.
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