Numerous schools of thought have
contributed considerably to the growth of philosophy and culture in India,
which has a rich philosophical past. Here are a few of India's most well-known
philosophical schools:
school of indian philosophy
1. Nyaya
Founded by Gautama (also known as
Akshapada)
One of the six traditional
schools of Indian philosophy is called Nyaya. It mostly discusses logic,
epistemology, and language philosophy. A system of argumentation and critical
thinking was established by Nyaya philosophers.
2. Vaisheshika
Founded by Kanada
Another historic school of Indian
philosophy with a concentration on atomism and metaphysics is Vaisheshika. It
analyses the nature of reality and many types of existence, and it makes the
claim that the physical world is made up of undivideable atoms.
3. Samkhya
Founded by Sage Kapila
Purusha (consciousness) and
prakriti (matter) are contrasted in Samkhya, a dualistic school of thought. It
explores the origins of the self and the path to liberation.
4. Yoga
Founded by Patanjali
According to Patanjali's
explanation of the yoga system in the Yoga Sutras, it is important to maintain
both mental and physical discipline in order to achieve spiritual realisation
and self-realization.
5. Mimamsa
Founded by Jaimini
This school of thought, also
known as Purva Mimamsa, is mainly concerned with the interpretation of the
Vedas and the philosophy of ritual and sacrifice. It offers guidelines for
carrying out Vedic ceremonies correctly.
6. Vedanta
One of India's most well-known
philosophical traditions is Vedanta. It is founded on the Upanishads and is
concerned with the investigation of the relationship between the individual
soul (Atman) and Brahman as well as the study of the ultimate reality
(Brahman). are a few of the different Vedanta sub-schools.
Advaita (non-dualism) Founded by
Adi Shankara
Dvaita (dualism) Founded by
Madhvacharya
Dvaitadvaita Founded by Nimbarka
Shuddhadvaita Founded by
Vallabhacharya
Vishishtadvaita (qualified non-dualism)
Founded by Ramanuja
Achintya Bheda Abheda Founded by
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
7. Buddhism
Founded by Siddhartha Gautama
Buddhism originated in India and
has had a significant influence on Indian thought and culture, despite not
being a "school" of Indian philosophy in the traditional sense. It
places a strong emphasis on the Eightfold Path, the Four Noble Truths, and the
Anatta (no-self) doctrine.
Buddhism is a non-theistic
religion whose principles don't give much thought to whether God exists or not.
Buddha believed that people should seek freedom from this unpleasant world
since it is full of suffering. He was extremely critical of traditional texts
like the Vedas that advocated mindless faith.
8. Jainism
Founded by Lord Mahavira
Another prehistoric Indian
religious and philosophical tradition is called Jainism. It is renowned for its
rigid beliefs in asceticism, truth, non-possessiveness, and non-violence
(ahimsa).
Anekantavada, the notion that
reality is viewed differently from various points of view and that no single
point of view is entirely genuine, is a fundamental premise. Jainism holds that
only individuals with infinite knowledge, known as Kevalins, may know the
genuine response, while everyone else can only fully comprehend the response.
9. Carvaka
Founded by Lokayata (Brihaspati)
The materialistic and atheistic
philosophy of the Carvaka or Lokayata school is well-known. It disapproves of
theological and philosophical concepts and emphasises sensual pleasure and
empirical experience.
A materialistic, sceptical, and
atheistic school of thought is called Charvaka. Charvaka asserts that there is
just one world. Therefore, since everyone eventually dies, happiness is the
purpose of life. The Lokayata Philosophy, or "the philosophy of the
masses," is another name for it.
10 . Ayyavazhi
Founded by Ayya Vaikundar
South India gave rise to the
Ayyavazhi religious system in the 19th century. It emphasises the teachings of
Ayya Vaikundar while incorporating aspects of Hinduism.
These are only a few of the
numerous philosophical traditions and schools that have evolved in India
throughout the ages. Every school presents different viewpoints on the nature
of reality, morality, and the road to spiritual enlightenment. Indian
philosophy exhibits a wide range of viewpoints, which speaks to the depth of
the region's intellectual and spiritual inquiry.
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