I am no historian or a philosopher. I got a seed of thought in my mind and decided to look into various thought processes. Which philosophy could be the most important as the driving force of society. I am sure we cannot single any one out. I had to naturally Google the meanings to understand. This is what I got. I urge you, the reader to expand on this and take the conversation forward.
Related Materialist & Existential Philosophies or Mindset . The youth of today follows YOLO and people so many eons ago followed the same philosophy called Charvaka. This thought and a conversation with my husband led to the creation of this article.
This is an attempt at comparing mindset’s of a certain type. Very briefly.
Charvaka(Lokayata)Ancient India (c. 600 BCE)The physical world is all that exists; there is no soul, God, karma, or afterlife.
Hedonism: Maximize sensory pleasure, comfort, and physical happiness in the present life.Rejects religious rituals and cosmic sins; advocates living well by standard social ethics.
Epicureanism Ancient Greece (c. 300 BCE)The universe is made of atoms; gods do not interfere in human lives, and death is the absolute end.
Tranquility: Attains peace of mind, avoid pain, and enjoy modest pleasures like friendship and learning.Advocates for justice and kindness because breaking rules causes anxiety and ruins peace of mind.
Nihilism Modern Western (19th Century)Life has absolutely no objective meaning, purpose, or intrinsic value. There is no ultimate goal; existence is fundamentally empty. Rejects all traditional moral codes, religious laws, and societal values as illusions.
Existentialism Modern Western (20th Century)Existence precedes essence; life has no inherent meaning, which leaves humans entirely free.Authenticity: Create your own personal meaning, purpose, and values through choices and action.You must define your own moral compass and take absolute responsibility for your choices.
YOLO 21st Century Global idea. This single life is your only chance to experience reality before permanent non existence. Experimentalism: Seek excitement, take bold risks, and accumulate intense or fun life experiences.Ignores long-term consequences or restrictive social taboos to prioritize immediate pleasures.
And very briefly again, a bit about the opposite
1. Dharma (Orthodox Indian Philosophy)
The Opposite of: Charvaka
Idea: The universe is governed by Karma (cosmic justice) and the soul (Atman) is immortal. Life is not just about material pleasure (Kama); it must be balanced with righteousness (Dharma), earning an honest living (Artha), and ultimately seeking spiritual liberation (Moksha).
Societal Value: It holds society together by emphasizing individual duties toward family, community, and nature, ensuring people act ethically even when no one is watching.
2. Absolutism / Essentialism
The Opposite of: Nihilism & Existentialism
Idea: Meaning and morality are objective, universal, and absolute. They are woven into the fabric of the universe by God, natural law, or cosmic reason. Truth is not something you invent; it is something you discover.
Societal Value: Provides a rock-solid foundation for human rights, laws, and justice systems by asserting that certain things (like theft or murder) are objectively wrong across all cultures and eras.
3. Stoicism (Ancient Greece & Rome)
The Opposite of: YOLO & Epicureanism
Idea: Instead of chasing intense experiences or fleeing pain, you should cultivate Virtue, self-control, and resilience. You cannot control external events, but you can control your character and reactions.
Societal Value: Promotes the idea of Cosmopolitanism—that we are all citizens of the world with a strict duty to serve the common good, lead with integrity, and support the community.
4. Utilitarianism (Modern Western Ethics)
The Opposite of: Individualistic Hedonism / YOLO
Idea: The morality of an action is judged entirely by its consequences. The ultimate goal is to achieve “the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people.”
Societal Value: Shifts the focus entirely away from selfish, immediate pleasure to collective well-being. It is the philosophical foundation behind public healthcare, democracy, and social welfare programs.
People search peace in their lives. Whatever philosophy they live by, there is an inherent need to survive and succeed. Well…they also live by rewards, competitions, self interests, materialistic needs … oh, and what not.
Let me end here…
MYSTORYMYWAY 