ABSTRACT

                   The aim of this study is to study and analyze Carvaka Philosophy in the perspective of its influence on societies from the past to the present. The Carvaka Philosophy contains the teachings that are said to be against virtues. Nevertheless, when deeply studied, it is found that such a Philosophy still prevails in the present societies.    

                         The researcher has divided the contents of this study into 5 chapters. The aim of each chapter is specified as follows:

                         Chapter 1 is about the importance and the origin of the problems.

                         Chapter 2 is about the contemporary concepts in India, consisting of Asatika, Nasatika and the philosophical concepts of all six schools, the concept of Buddhism philosophy, and the influence of the concept of Jaina philosophy.

                         Chapter 3 is about metaphysical concept, epistemological concept, and ethical concept in Carvaka Philosophy.

                   Chapter 4 is about the influences of Carvaka philosophical concepts in the societies with argumentative attitudes towards metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, materialism and idealism in chasing the discusses about the influences of Carvaka Philosophy in the systems of capitalism, consumerism, and hedonism, and finally it discusses the consequences of these influences.

                         Chapter 5 is about the conclusions of this study together with the suggestions for further studies. 

             From this study, the researcher concludes the concepts of Carvaka philosophy as follows:

                         1. Carvaka Philosophy is a doctrine that is a strict with materialism and refuses the belief in Veda Bible (Scripture) and Brahmana rites. It persists in seeking materialistic comforts, based on the belief that humans beings are born only once. There is no rebirth, no future existence, no hell, no heaven, and no virtues. There is only the present time. (Whatever there is only exists in the present.)

                         2. In Carvaka Philosophy there is a belief in the concept that the truth is to be proved only through sensual contacts. It refuses every other teaching, but the teaching about how to lead one’s life.  Carvaka Philosophy teaches the people to seek full pleasures, especially physical pleasures while they are still living, because the only goal of life is materialistic happiness. Such teaching destroys the moral principles in present’s societies.

                         3. The concept that birth at the present time is the only one birth which means that when one dies there is no rebirth has influenced people in modern societies. Although the people may not believe in all the concepts held by the Carvaka, they have the instinct rights from their births to seek for the materialistic pleasures in order to possess happiness more than others people. Hence, they became the preys and are unaware to the systems of capitalism and consumerism. Such pleasures are the worldly that cause the people not to be different from other creatures.