With reference to the history of philosophical thought in India, consider the following statements regarding Samkhya school: (UPSC- 2013)1. Samkhya does not accept the theory of rebirth or transmigration of the soul.2. Samkhya holds that it is the self- knowledge that leads to liberation and not any exterior influence or agent.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
✓ Correct answer: b) 2 only
ExplanationAns: B Exp:Statement 1 is incorrect.Samkhya philosophy believes in the theory of rebirth.Samkhya is an Orthodox Indian philosophical system.Orthodox Indian philosophical system believes in soul and karma theory.For Karma theory to hold, the soul has to undergo rebirth or transmigration.Therefore, without liberation, no soul can be free from the cycle of rebirth or transmigration.Statement 2 is correct: Samkhya Philosophy is dualistic and not monistic because it has two entities, Purush (spirit) and Prakriti (nature).Samkhya emphasizes the attainment of knowledge of the self by means of concentration and meditation.It believes that after you have ‘died’ in this life you will go through a process of rebirth where depending on your actions in your former life your status will be decided.
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