The Upanishads and Carvaka School’s answers to “What am I?”

Views of the Self in Philosophical Traditions — Part 1

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A central question in philosophy is the nature of the self. Different philosophical traditions have tried to answer the question “What am I?” resulting in a wide variety of conclusions. In this series, I will compare and contrast answers from philosophical traditions around the world. I hope this helps.

First up are two classical traditions from India; the Upanishadic and Carvaka traditions.

The Self in The Upanishads

Illustrated page from the Bhagavad Gita —

The Upanishadic view of the self starts by establishing the criteria something must meet to be considered a real self. The Upanishads establish three criteria for a self.

1. It must be eternal
2. It must be changeless
3. It must be blissful.

The investigation into what might meet these criteria is played out in a dialogue in the Upanishads between Indra, Virocana, and Prajāpati. Indra and Virocana come to Prajāpati to learn the true nature of the self. Prajāpati first has them look into a…