Schools of Ancient Indian Philosophy

Ancient Indian Philosophy encompasses both orthodox (Āstika) schools, which accept Vedic authority (e.g., Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Samkhya, Yoga, Mimamsa, Vedanta), and heterodox (Nāstika) systems (e.g., Charvaka, Jainism, Buddhism). These schools primarily aim to articulate paths to Moksha (liberation) by systematically analyzing epistemology, metaphysics, and ethics.

Evolution of Philosophical Schools

Era

Key Development and Focus

Epistemological and Metaphysical Evolution

Early Ancient

Formative Stage: Emergence of core tenets in Sutras (e.g., Nyaya Sutras, Samkhya Karika) that distilled earlier Vedic and Upanishadic concepts, focusing on establishing logical foundations against heterodox challenges.

Epistemological Divergence: Nyaya systematically defined four valid means of knowledge (Pramanas); Samkhya posited dualism (Purusha and Prakriti) ....

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