Question

Which of the following schools of thought is classified under the heterodox (Nāstika) tradition in Indian philosophy?

• A. Nyaya
• B. Vedanta
• C. Jainism
• D. Purva Mimamsa

Answer 1

Answer:

C. Jainism

Indian philosophy comprises a diverse range of philosophical traditions that originated in the Indian subcontinent, including Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain philosophies. These traditions are categorized into two broad groups: the orthodox (Āstika) systems, which accept the authority of the Vedas, and the unorthodox (Nāstika) systems, which do not. The orthodox schools include Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Samkhya, Yoga, Purva Mimamsa, and Vedanta, while the unorthodox schools include Buddhism and Jainism. A significant work that summarizes several of these philosophical systems is the Sarva Darsana Samgraha, authored by Sri Madhavacharya. This text presents the essence of various schools of thought that developed in ancient India. Indian philosophical traditions explore a wide range of fundamental issues, including cosmology (the nature of the universe), metaphysics (the nature of reality), logic, epistemology (the theory of knowledge), ethics, and the philosophy of religion. By the beginning of Christian era six schools of Indian Philosophy developed and divided into two schools: Orthodox School: According to this school: The Vedas are the ultimate revealed texts that contain the keys to salvation. The validity of the Vedas was not contested. They had six sub schools: Samkhya, Yoga, Nyaya, Veisheshika, Mimamsa and Vedanta. Heterodox School: According to this school: They questioned the presence of God and rejected the Vedas' historicity. Buddhism, Jainism, and Lokayata are the three main sub-schools that make up this group.