An Analysis on Charvaka’s Conception of Ethics and Morality

Deepa Tripathi

Abstract- This dissertation will provide a comprehensive exploration of one of the most distinctive and radical intellectual traditions in ancient India: the Charvaka school of philosophy. Uncompromising in its materialism and empiricism, Charvaka offers a unique framework for secular ethics, completely rejecting the metaphysical and spiritual foundations that underpin most other Indian philosophical systems. Concepts such as the soul (atman), karma, rebirth, and moksha are dismissed as unfounded, and instead, Charvaka emphasizes the material world and sensory perception as the sole basis for knowledge and moral action. The core notion of the Charvaka ethical system is hedonism, holding that the pleasure of life is the supreme good, while the avoidance of pain is its inverse. In contrast to religious traditions that value asceticism and detachment, Charvaka ethics is about personal satisfactoriness and the foundation of decisions in reason and observable facts and results. The research shows how Charvaka criticizes both the ritualistic and the hierarchical dimensions of Vedic orthodoxy, which are seen as instruments of exploitation rather than genuine moral or spiritual practices. Hence, Charvaka stands in the context of ancient Indian philosophical dialogue, and for this reason, a detailed comparison with other ethical systems – namely, dharma as a moral base in Brahmanical traditions, compassion as a principle of ethics in Buddhism and Jainism, and so on is being made. Further, a distinction is made between Charvaka’s secular morality and the traditions of the West like Epicureanism, utilitarianism, and modern humanism, where a common limb of rationality, empiricism and a pursuit of human flourishing independent of supernatural forces can be observed. But aside from these historical considerations, this dissertation also brings forward, in modern ethical thought, the foundation of Charvaka philosophy. Of greater utility in negotiating ethical dilemmas of the present is the Charvakan assertion of practical, evidence-based morality in a world increasingly ruled by secularism, scientific inquiry, or pluralistic values. Charvaka’s emphasis on balancing between the autonomy of an individual and the society could prove helpful in addressing an inspector’s report on matters such as environmental sustainability, technology ethics, or social justice. Ultimately, this dissertation argues that Charvaka presents a coherent and strong model of morality, calling into question the supremacy of religious and metaphysical ethics. It invites a broader re-evaluation of ancient Indian philosophical contributions to contemporary ethical discourse, which thereby affirms Charvaka’s rightful place in the continuum of rationality and for a human-centered morality.