Advaita, Causality and Human Freedom

Summary

This article examines how Advaita Vedanta conceptualises causality, space, time and human freedom. It points out that Advaita views the empirical world as phenomenal—real at the transactional level but ultimately unreal when Brahman, the non-dual reality, is realised. Drawing on Sankhya critiques of causation, the article explains that both schools accept satkaryavada: the effect pre-exists in the cause. The Advaitin uses causal theories to argue that reality is one and that diversity arises due to nescience. The article explores the nature of time and space, arguing that they are mental constructs. It observes that dreams and reverie show inconsistent time-systems; thus time cannot be ultimately real. The author analyses the concept of human freedom in Advaita. In the phenomenal world, karma determines experience and binds individuals. However, the realisation of Brahman transcends causality, rendering one free from karma. This transcendence does not negate ethical responsibility; rather, knowledge dissolves the sense of agency. The article also compares Advaita with Western philosophy and modern science, noting that relativity and quantum mechanics challenge absolute notions of space and time.