Chhattisgarh P.C.S. Prelims 2018

Heterodox Indian Philosophy

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

Who accepts only Perception?

Solution & Analysis

Answer: B

Concept Epistemology (sources of knowledge) in India is defined by 'Pramanas'. Charvaka is the most radical school, rejecting all sources except direct sensory experience.

Explanation Charvaka (Lokayata) argues that Inference (Anumana) and Testimony (Sabda) are unreliable because they cannot be verified without sensory proof. Therefore, only Pratyaksha (Perception) is a valid Pramana.

Logical Breakup
Logic 1: Option B is correct. Jainism and Buddhism accept both Perception and Inference. Samkhya accepts three sources.
Logic 2: Charvakas argue that if we haven't seen it (like God or Heaven), it doesn't exist.

Active Recall

Question

Why did Charvaka reject Inference?

Answer

Because they believed that the universal relation (Vyapti) required for inference could never be proven through perception.

Core Insight

Charvaka represents the extreme limit of Indian skepticism, challenging every spiritual claim that lacked physical evidence.