Jayarāśi’s Delightful Destruction of Epistemology

It is argued here that Jayarāśi Bhaṭṭa (ca. 770–830 c.e .) is both a Cārvāka and a skeptic, although he is a skeptic about epistemology rather than a skeptic about the external world or a global skeptic about knowledge. After remarks on the Cārvākas and Indian skepticism, Jayarāśi’s arguments against Dignāga and Dharmakīrti are considered. Jayarāśi tries to demonstrate that in the context of epistemology, epistemology self-destructs, while in the context of everyday life there is no need for epistemology. Lastly, how Jayarāśi’s skepticism serves his Cārvāka sympathies is considered.