Free Will and Determinism in Vedanta Philosophy

The Samkhya school of Indian philosophy emphasizes the concept of karma and the idea that one's actions in this life determine their fate in the next.

The Nyaya-Vaisheshika school of Indian philosophy holds that desire is the primary cause of human action.

Moksha is the term used in Indian philosophy to refer to the idea that the self is ultimately free from all desires and attachments.

Adi Shankara, a prominent philosopher of the Advaita Vedanta school, argued that the concept of free will is incompatible with the idea of a predetermined universe.

The Advaita Vedanta school of Indian philosophy posits Brahman as the ultimate reality that underlies all existence.

Maya is the term used in Indian philosophy to refer to the idea that the individual self is an illusion and that there is only one ultimate reality.

Ramanuja, a prominent philosopher of the Vishishtadvaita Vedanta school, argued that the concept of free will is compatible with the idea of a predetermined universe, as long as the universe is itself governed by moral laws.

The Vishishtadvaita Vedanta school holds that Brahman is the ultimate reality and the individual self is a part of it.

Madhvacharya, a prominent philosopher of the Dvaita Vedanta school, argued that the concept of free will is compatible with the idea of a predetermined universe, as long as there is a distinction between the higher self and the lower self.

The Dvaita Vedanta school posits that Brahman and the individual self are separate and distinct entities.

Nimbarka, a prominent philosopher of the Dvaitadvaita Vedanta school, argued that the concept of free will is compatible with the idea of a predetermined universe, as long as there is a distinction between the soul and the body.

The Dvaitadvaita Vedanta school holds that Brahman and the individual self are distinct, but not separate.

Vallabha, a prominent philosopher of the Shuddhadvaita Vedanta school, argued that the concept of free will is compatible with the idea of a predetermined universe, as long as there is a distinction between the higher self and the lower self, and between the soul and the body.

The Shuddhadvaita Vedanta school posits that Brahman and the individual self are identical.

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, a prominent philosopher of the Gaudiya Vaishnavism school, argued that the concept of free will is compatible with the idea of a predetermined universe, as long as there is a distinction between the higher self and the lower self, the soul and the body, and between the individual self and the cosmic self.