Heterodox Schools of Indian Philosophy

There are many schools of Indian philosophy, but not all of them are orthodox. In this article, we will discuss 5 heterodox schools of Indian philosophy that you should know about. These schools offer a unique perspective on Indian philosophy and offer a different take on traditional teachings. If you’re interested in learning more about Indian philosophy, these schools are a great place to start!

What Do You Mean By Heterodox Schools? 

Before we get started, it’s important to understand what we mean by heterodox schools. These are schools of Indian philosophy that do not subscribe to the orthodox teachings of the Vedas. Instead, they offer a different perspective on philosophical concepts. This can be due to a variety of reasons, such as disagreeing with the Vedic concept of Brahman or rejecting the authority of the Vedas altogether. Whatever the reason may be, heterodox schools provide a valuable alternative perspective on Indian philosophy.

Now that we’ve established what we mean by heterodox schools, let’s take a look at some of the most notable ones.

5 Heterodox Schools of Indian Philosophy

Ajivika (Fatalism)

The Ajivika school was founded in the sixth century BCE by Makkhali Gosala. It is one of the earliest heterodox schools of Indian philosophy. The Ajivikas were fatalists, believing that everything is predetermined and that human action is powerless to affect the course of events. This belief led them to reject the notion of karma, as they believed that humans couldn’t affect their destiny.

Unchedvadi (Materialism)

The Unchedvadi school was founded in the sixth century BCE by Ajita Kesakambali. It is one of the most well-known heterodox schools of Indian philosophy. The Unchedvadis were materialists, believing that only matter exists and that consciousness is nothing more than a by-product of the material world. This belief led them to reject the notion of rebirth, as they believed that consciousness does not survive the death of the body.

Nityavadi (Eternalism)

The Nityavadi school was founded in the fifth century BCE by Pakudha Kaccayana. It is one of the most prominent heterodox schools of Indian philosophy. The Nityavadis were eternalists, believing that the soul is immortal and that it reincarnates into different bodies after death. This belief led them to reject the notion of karma, as they believed that the soul is not affected by human actions.

Sandehvadi (Agnosticism)

The Sandehvadi school was founded in the fourth century BCE by Sanjaya Belatthiputta. It is one of the most well-known heterodox schools of Indian philosophy. The Sandehvadis were agnostics, believing that it is impossible to know whether or not there is a God. This belief led them to reject the authority of the Vedas, as they believed that they could not be used to prove the existence of a higher power.

Akriyavadi (Amoralism)

The Akriyavadi school was founded in the third century BCE by Maskarin Gosala. It is one of the most controversial heterodox schools of Indian philosophy. The Akriyavadis were amoralists, believing that human actions do not have any moral value. This belief led them to reject the notion of karma, as they believed that it was not possible to affect one’s destiny.

Conclusion

Indian philosophy is vast and diverse, with several different schools of thought. If you’re interested in learning more about Indian philosophy, or if you’re looking for an introduction to the topic, this article has provided a helpful overview of some of the most important heterodox schools of Indian philosophy. We hope you found it informative and that it encourages you to explore these fascinating philosophical traditions further.