Materialism in Chawaka's Philosophy

Abstract

Materialism is the name given to the metaphysical doctrine which holds that matter is the only reality. The doctrine tries to explain mind and consciousness as the products of matter. In general outlook materialism represents the tendency that seeks to reduce the higher to the lower or explain the higher phenomena in the light of the lower ones. In this respect it is opposed to spiritual interpretations of the universe. Though materialism in some form or the other has always been present in India, and occasional references are found in the Vedas, the Buddhistic literature, the Epics as well as in the later philosophical works, we do not find any systematic work on materialism, nor any organised school of followers as other philosophical schools possess. But almost every work of other school’s state for refutation, the materialistic views. Our knowledge of Indian materialism is chiefly based on these. Charvaka was even originally a common description name given to a materialist either because he preaches the doctrine of eat, drink and be merry.1 Some writers again regard Brhaspati as the founder of materialism.