Regardless, I wanted to highlight an ancient Humanist philosophy so you can understand why I say it arises in every culture and in every time. One of the nine major philosophies taught in India’s schools is Lokayat. Lokayat, also known as Carvaka, goes back at least to the 6th century BCE, though its origins are probably much older then that. It is the only philosophy of the nine that rejects gods, souls, after lives and an ethics based on judgment in the after life. Most of what we know about it comes from the attacks made on it by individuals who followed other philosophies. Their main complaint was that Lokayat focused on human happiness as it’s main goal. Sound familiar?
My friend Ramendra Nath, in his work Some Reflections on Ethics, has a great chapter on this philosophy that is a must read for anyone interested in Humanism. In it he says:
“According to Lokayat, this world is the only world, this life is the only life, and one should make the best of it. One should not run away from life just because pleasure in life is mixed with pain.”To read more about Lokayat - visit Dr. Ramendra’s ebook available at the Buddiwadi Foundation website - http://www.buddhiwadi.org/lokayat.htm
Or see the wikipedia article on this philosophy - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C%C4%81rv%C4%81ka
I don't know that I had specifically come across Lokayat before today, but I came to the same conclusion independently about 30 years ago.
ReplyDeleteMaybe my phuilosphy came from Alfred E. Neuman and Mad Magazine.
"What me worry?"
I don't know that I had specifically come across Lokayat before today, but I came to the same conclusion independently about 30 years ago.
ReplyDeleteMaybe my philosphy came from Alfred E. Neuman and Mad Magazine.
"What me worry?"
That's pretty much the same for everyone. They figure Humanism out on their own and then find out that they aren't the only ones to come to this conclusion.
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting that link to Dr. Ramendra's ebook, and for introducing me to Lokayat. I am eager to read up on it some more!
ReplyDeleteIt reminds me some of the Greek philosophy I read in the works of Horace. Particularly his story of country mouse and city mouse. It lauds the enjoyment of simple pleasures here and now. It's a real shame my hard drive crashed, because I lost all the Latin translation work I did as an undergrad! Just another reason, I guess, to pick it back up. =)
Anyway, thanks again. I always love glimpses and peaks of ancient thinking.