Charvaka School or Lokayata philosophy
Brihaspati laid the foundation stone of this school
and it was supposed to be one of the earliest school that developed a philosophical
theory. The philosophy is old enough to find mention in the Vedas and
Brihadarnkya Upanishad. The Charvaka School was
the main propounder of the materialistic view to achive salvation. As it
was geared towards the common people, The philosophy was soon dubbed as
Lokayata or something derived from the
common people.
The word ‘ Lokayata ‘ also meant a keen attachment
to the physical and material world(loka). They argued for a complete disregard
of any world beyond this world that was inhabited by a person. They denied the
existence of any supernatural or divine agent who could regulate our conduct on
earth. They argued against the the need
to achieve salvation and also denied the existence of brahma and God. They believed
In anything that could be touched and be experienced by the human senses.
Some
of their main teachings are;
👉They
argued against Gods and their
representatives on the earth - the priestly class. They argued that a Brahmin manufactures false
rituals so as to Aqua gifts (dakshina) from the followers.
👉Man is the centre of all activities and he should enjoy himself as long
as he lives. He should consume all earthly goods and indulge in sensual pleasure.
👉 The
Charvakas do not consider ' ether' as one of the five essential elements as it
cannot be experienced through the perception. Hence, they say the universe
consists of of only four elements : fire , earth , water and air.
👉This
school argues that there is no other world after this one, hence death is the
end of a human being and pleasure should be the the ultimate objectives of life
hence they profound the theory of ' eat drink and make merry'.
The materialistic philosophies dominated over the
idealist ones. The idealist philosophers responded by critiquing the indulgence
recommended by the former group. They recommended that man should follow the
path of God and rituals towards salvation. Yet, both the schools grew and many
more tests discussing their theories were produced in the coming decades.
