Notions of Carvaka philosophy

Charvaka Philosophy

1. Introduction

• Charvaka Darshana (also called Lokayata) is the last of the non-Vedic Darshanas.
• Difficult to reconstruct its tenets due to the lack of surviving literature.
• Knowledge is obtained from fragments in other works.

2. Key Features of Charvaka

• Materialistic Hedonism: Focuses on material reality and seeking pleasure.
  • "Matter is the ultimate reality."
• Rejects divine/transcendental powers behind matter.
• Accepts only what can be perceived.
• Rejects Akasha (ether) as a constituent of reality.
• Rejects Dharma and Moksha as they cannot be seen.
• Accepts only Kama (pleasure) and Artha (wealth) as goals of life.
  • Kama is seen as the end of all life.
• Death: The final end of life (no afterlife, no swarga, no naraka).
• Emphasis on direct perception as valid knowledge.

3. Epistemology

• Only valid source of knowledge (pramana) is direct perception (pratyaksha).
• Rejects inference, testimony, and other forms of knowledge.

4. Rejection of Key Entities

• Rejects Akasha (not directly perceivable).
• Rejects Dharma as not directly perceived.
• Rejects Swarga (heaven) as not directly perceived.
• Rejects Ishvara (God) as not directly perceived.
• Rejects Atman (soul) as not directly perceived.

5. Nature of Consciousness

• Consciousness arises from a combination of the four elements.
  • Not a separate entity.
  • Analogy: Red color in paan (beetle leaf) comes from combining different elements.
  • Analogy: Water is the combined properties of Hydrogen and Oxygen.
  • Consciousness is a unique combination of earth, fire, water and air elements.
• Consciousness will disappear when that combination breaks.
• No eternal soul/consciousness that transmigrates.
  • Consciousness does not go to swarga.

6. Purpose of Life

• Maximize pleasure in one's lifetime.
• Enjoy the present life rather than focusing on some distant future liberation.

7. Summary of Charvaka

• Direct perception is the only source of knowledge.
• Matter is the only reality.
• World composed of four elements.
• Rejection of transcendental entities like god or devas etc..
• Rejection of an afterlife, and also the Atman.
• Consciousness is a product of element combination.
• Goal is to have maximum pleasure in life.
• Does not believe in karma or dharma.