Charwak Philosophy
Warning
We do not have any original text of this philosophy yet. We only got how the critics criticize this philosophy by quoting or exaggerating it.
Philosophy
- Also called Lokayat.
- Guru Brihaspati, the guru of devatas, wrote this philosophy for Asurs to trounce them.
- Ajit Keshkambli and Vastaayan, the creator of Kaamsutra, also support this philosophy.
- Shraman andolan was started by people who did not agree with the Vedas or Upanishads.
- Mavir -> Jainism
- Goutam Buddh -> Buddhisim
- Ajit Keshkambli -> Charwak
- Makhali Goshal -> Determinism/Niyatiwaad
- Pakud Katyayan -> Eternalism/Shashwatwad
- Puran Kashyap -> Amoralism/Akrutkriya
- Sanjay Belathiput -> Agnosticism/Agyan
- Charwak
- Epistemology
- Metaphysics
- Ishwar
- Jagat
- Atma
- Ethics (aim of life)
- It only accepts Perception (Pratakhya) evidence.
- It supports Materialism.
- Four tatwas are there:
- Earth
- Water
- Air
- Fire
- They do not accept the sky as a tatwa/mahabhut or Empedoclys.
- These four basic elements combine with each other and make materials. -> Naturalism.
- By combining them in a specific ratio, they also make consciousness.
- Charwak and Buddhism do not accept soul/Atma. Rest all seven accept Atma's existance.
Tip
In Indian philosophy, Bigyan means Chetna or Consciousness
Ethics
- There are four purusharths in Vedic philosophy:
- Dharm
- Arth
- Kaam
- Moksha -> Highest value
- Charwak supports only one purusharth called Kaam.
- They support Hedonism (Sukhwaadi).
- They did not support re-birth.
- They said death is Moksha.
- Save money but spend all before death.
Quote
Religion is a mental disease.
- Charvak Philosophy
- They said do not kill animals as offerings to God. If you are hungry, eat them directly. Do not make excuses.
- Do not feed the poor outside of the temple, as you will feel you will get good karma. You can provide them directly if it gives you happiness.
Happiness
- Here is heaven when you are happy and hell when you are sad.
- There is no quality or quantity difference in happiness. Whatever makes you feel happy is Happiness.
- There is no difference between helping others, sacrificing, eating food, gaining knowledge, and climbing the peak of happiness.
- Sushikhit Charwaks later agreed on the differences in the quality of happiness. Dhurr Charwak's did not.
- Whatever you have today, use that first; do not think about tomorrow.
Evaluation
- Consistently, more than direct perception will be needed.
- How did they know four elements would mix to create consciousness?
- Only running behind happiness is not suitable for society.
- They introduced challenges to the Indian philosophy.
- AI can prove their consciousness philosophy.
- Ethics and focusing on this birth also a few people agree.
Source: https://youtu.be/wUvI9AMkSFA
My takeaways 📝
I like a few of their philosophies, like the following:
- There is only one life; we should act accordingly without hurting others. Who knows what will happen at the next birth? Enjoy this human life fully. Do what you like.
- Questioning everything and being curious. The first principle of thinking came from here.
- AI chatbots becoming sentinel can be supported by this philosophy.
Unfortunately, the original text was burnt.
