Question

Cārvāka school of thought admits the existence of four elements: earth, water, fire and air. Why is the fifth element, ether (ākāśa), rejected?

• A. It is not perceived, but inferred
• B. It is not mentioned in the Scriptures
• C. It is nothing but air itself
• D. It is not made up of atoms

Hint:

The Cārvāka school is strict about using only direct perception as a means of knowledge. Anything inferred, like ākāśa, is rejected.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

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).