Key Notes on Heterodox Schools of Indian Philosophy

The term “Indian Philosophy” refers to the orthodox and heterodox intellectual traditions of the Indian subcontinent. The doctrine of karma and reincarnation was embraced by every Indian school of philosophy, and the goal of moksha was understood as freedom from the cycle of births and deaths. The greatest objective of human endeavour is moksha or emancipation. However, the fundamental distinction is that orthodox schools acknowledge the authority of the Vedas.

What are Indian philosophy’s heterodox schools?

Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Samkhya, Yoga, Mms, and Vedanta are the six primary schools of Vedic philosophy, whereas Jain, Buddhist, Ajivika, Ajana, and Charvaka are the five major heterodox (shamanic) schools.

Far-left ideas like socialism, Marxism, and post-Keynesian economics, as well as those connected with extreme free-market economics like the Austrian school, are examples of heterodox schools of thought.

1. Ajivika (Fatalism)

It is one of India’s heterodox (Nastik) philosophical traditions. This idea was popularised by Makkhali Gosala. He was Vardhaman Mahavira’s first disciple. Every item in the cosmos, he claims, is connected to fate and destiny. Karma, Fatalism, and extreme passivity were all part of this ideology. During Bindusara’s reign, it was extremely popular (Mauryan Emperor).

2. Unchedvadi (Materialism)

Ajita Kesakambali was indeed an ancient Indian philosopher who lived in the 6th century BC and is often regarded as the founder of Indian materialism. “With death, all is obliterated,” according to this ideology.

3. Nityavadi  (Eternalism)

This concept was advocated by Pakudha Kaccayana. Earth, water, fire, air, joy, sorrow, and the soul, he believed, were everlasting.

4. Sandehvadi (Agnosticism)

Agnosticism was promoted by Sanjaya Belatthiputta. “I don’t believe,” he said. As a result, I don’t think in that way. “I’m not sure if it’s true or not.”

5. Akriyavadi (Akriyavadi is a Sanskrit (Amoralism)

This idea was promoted by Purana Kassapa. It excludes any form of reward or punishment for good or poor conduct.

Accepting or rejecting the concept of soul, atomism, antinomian ethics, materialism, atheism, agnosticism, fatalism to free will, idealisation of extreme asceticism to that of family life, strict ahimsa (non-violence) & vegetarianism to the permissibility of violence and meat-eating, the Sramana movement gave rise to a diverse range of heterodox beliefs.

Heterodox Schools of Indian Philosophy

Because they do not acknowledge the authority of the Vedas as the orthodox system of philosophy, Jainism and Buddhism are called unorthodox schools of thought.

Jainism divides knowledge into two categories: immediate (Aparoksa) and mediated (Aparoksa) (Paroksa).

Avadhi, Manahparyiiya, and Kevala are the three types of immediate knowledge, whereas Mati and Shruti are the two types of mediate knowledge.

Prambanan, or knowledge of a thing as it is, and Naya, or understanding of a thing in its relation, are two types of knowledge. The word Naya refers to a point of view from which we make a comment about anything.

Everything is related to our point of view. ‘Naya’ refers to a partial understanding of one of a thing’s many characteristics. There are seven ‘nayas,’ each with its own set of rules.

The first four ‘nayas’ are known as ‘Artha-naya’ because they deal with things or meanings, while the latter three are known as’shabda-naya’ because they deal with words. A ‘Naya’ becomes a fallacy if viewed as absolute – nayiibhiisa.

Heterodox System Of Indian Philosophy

These are orthodox (astika) Hindu philosophy schools that recognise the authority of the Vedas; schools that do not accept the authority of the Vedas are heterodox (nastika) Hindu philosophy schools such as Buddhism, Jainism, Ajivika, and Charvaka.

This orthodox-heterodox concept is a Western linguistic construct with no scholarly foundation in Sanskrit.

Distinguish Between Orthodox and Heterodox Schools of Indian Philosophy

The acknowledgement of Vedas is regarded to be the fundamental difference between these two branches of Hindu Philosophy schools. Orthodox schools acknowledge the Vedas’ authority, whilst heterodox schools do not.

Orthodoxy refers to belief in teaching that differs from the norm in religious life; heterodoxy refers to belief in a doctrine that differs from the norm. In certain circumstances, the civil authority has backed religious authorities, while in others, it has stayed neutral or uninterested.

The term “Indian Philosophy” refers to the orthodox and heterodox intellectual traditions of the Indian subcontinent. However, the fundamental distinction is that orthodox schools acknowledge the authority of the Vedas.

Conclusion:

The phrase “Indian Philosophy” refers to the subcontinent’s orthodox and heterodox intellectual traditions. Every Indian school of thought believed in karma and reincarnation, and the aim of moksha was defined as liberation from the cycle of births and deaths.

The phrase “Indian Philosophy” refers to the subcontinent’s orthodox and heterodox intellectual traditions. Every Indian school of thought believed in karma and reincarnation, and the aim of moksha was defined as liberation from the cycle of births and deaths. Moksha, or liberation, is the ultimate goal of human endeavour. The main difference, however, is that orthodox schools recognise the Vedas’ authority.