ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS AND SUSTAINABILITY EDUCATION IN CHARVAKA PHILOSOPHY: A CONTEMPORARY REAPPRAISAL

Abstract

Environmental ethics has increasingly become a central concern in philosophical and educational discourse, particularly in the context of escalating ecological crises. While most environmental philosophies are rooted in spiritual or metaphysical traditions, the Charvaka school of Indian philosophy presents a distinct materialist and empiricist perspective. Traditionally perceived as hedonistic and dismissive of ethical responsibility, Charvaka has rarely been examined in relation to environmental ethics or sustainability education. This paper reinterprets Charvaka philosophy to explore its potential contributions to contemporary ecological thought. By focusing on its epistemological commitment to perception (pratyaksha), its rejection of metaphysical speculation, and its emphasis on lived human experience, the study argues that Charvaka can support a pragmatic and human-centered environmental ethic. Furthermore, the paper highlights how Charvaka principles can inform sustainability education through experiential learning, critical inquiry, and present-oriented ethical responsibility. The analysis demonstrates that even a materialist framework, when reconsidered in a modern context, can provide meaningful insights into sustainable living and environmental accountability.