Consider the following statements regarding the absolute materialist philosophy of the Charvaka or Lokayata school which operated as a radical heterodox system:
1. It accepts Pratyaksha (direct perception) as the single valid pramana, completely denying the logical validity of Anumana (inference) for establishing universal metaphysical truths.
2. It rejects the existence of an independent unconditioned soul (Atman), arguing that consciousness is merely a transient byproduct of the chemical combination of material elements.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Accepted Answer

Both statements are correct. Charvaka epistemology is aggressively empirical. It argues that since inference relies on Vyapti (universal concomitance) which can never be fully verified across all time and space, inference cannot serve as an infallible pramana. Ontologically, they assert Dehatmavada: just as mixing betel leaf and lime creates a red color not present in the individual parts, the physical combination of the four basic material elements generates temporary consciousness.

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