Discuss the key differences between the six orthodox schools of philosophy in India. How do they approach the concept of reality, knowledge, and liberation? [250 words] 15 marks. (GS-4 Ethics)

Samkhya:

• Reality: Dualistic (Purusha-Prakriti), cosmology-focused
• Knowledge: Emphasizes reasoning, inference, and introspection
• Liberation: Attain Kaivalya (isolation) by realizing Purusha’s distinctness from Prakriti

Yoga:

• Reality: Synthesizes Samkhya’s dualism with Vedantic non-dualism
• Knowledge: Emphasizes direct perception, intuition, and scripture
• Liberation: Achieve Kaivalya through eight-limbed yoga (Ashtanga Yoga)

Nyaya:

• Reality: Atomistic, pluralistic, and theistic
• Knowledge: Develops logic, epistemology, and the concept of negation
• Liberation: Attain Moksha through knowledge of the self and the world

Vaisheshika:

• Reality: Atomistic, pluralistic, and theistic (similar to Nyaya)
• Knowledge: Emphasizes perception, inference, and scripture
• Liberation: Attain Moksha through knowledge of the self and the world

Mimamsa:

• Reality: Focuses on dharma (duty), karma (action), and the Vedic ritual
• Knowledge: Emphasizes scriptural interpretation and the concept of apaurusheyatva (authorless revelation)
• Liberation: Attain Moksha through performance of dharma and knowledge of the self

Vedanta:

• Reality: Non-dualistic (Advaita), emphasizing Brahman’s unity
• Knowledge: Emphasizes intuition, scriptural authority, and the concept of Atman-Brahman identity
• Liberation: Attain Moksha through knowledge of Brahman and the self (Atman)

Key similarities and differences:

• All schools accept the authority of the Vedas
• Samkhya and Yoga share a dualistic approach, while Vedanta is non-dualistic
• Nyaya and Vaisheshika are pluralistic and atomistic, while Mimamsa focuses on dharma and ritual
• Each school offers a unique perspective on reality, knowledge, and liberation.