Question:
Cārvāka school of thought admits the existence of four elements: earth, water, fire and air. Why is the fifth element, ether (ākāśa), rejected?
Cārvāka school of thought admits the existence of four elements: earth, water, fire and air. Why is the fifth element, ether (ākāśa), rejected?
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The Cārvāka school is strict about using only direct perception as a means of knowledge. Anything inferred, like ākāśa, is rejected.
Updated On: Apr 26, 2025
- It is not perceived, but inferred
- It is not mentioned in the Scriptures
- It is nothing but air itself
- It is not made up of atoms
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The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understand the epistemology of Cārvāka.
Cārvāka is a materialistic school of Indian philosophy that only accepts pratyakṣa (direct perception) as the valid means of knowledge.
Step 2: Apply this to the question of elements.
Cārvākas accept the four elements—earth, water, fire, and air—because they are directly perceivable through the senses.
Step 3: Analyze ether (ākāśa).
Ether (ākāśa) is not directly perceivable; it is only inferred based on sound. Since inference is not accepted by Cārvāka, ether is rejected.
Step 4: Conclusion.
The reason ether is rejected is because it is not perceived but only inferred. So the correct answer is (A).
Cārvāka is a materialistic school of Indian philosophy that only accepts pratyakṣa (direct perception) as the valid means of knowledge.
Step 2: Apply this to the question of elements.
Cārvākas accept the four elements—earth, water, fire, and air—because they are directly perceivable through the senses.
Step 3: Analyze ether (ākāśa).
Ether (ākāśa) is not directly perceivable; it is only inferred based on sound. Since inference is not accepted by Cārvāka, ether is rejected.
Step 4: Conclusion.
The reason ether is rejected is because it is not perceived but only inferred. So the correct answer is (A).
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