UPSC Mains 2022 Philosophy Optional Paper I questions

28 questions from the Civil Services (Main) Examination 2022. Official UPSC paper (PDF) · All Philosophy Optional PYQs

1. How does Plato use the theory of forms to establish the relation between epistemology and metaphysics? Discuss.

   10 marks

2. What is Bertrand Russell's method of logical analysis? How does it ultimately end in establishing atomic theory of meaning? Discuss.

   10 marks

3. Establish the tenability of later Wittgenstein's motion of language as form of ai

4. What is psychologism? pele discuss the way Edmund Husserl avoids the problem of psychologism in the discourse of transcendental phenomenology.

5. What is apperception, according to Immanuel Kant? Discuss with reference to his transcendental exposition of space and time.

6. Provide a critical account of Heidegger's Being-in-the-world and discuss the problem of 'authenticity' in the context of Dasein.

   20 marks

7. Is Aristotle's view of nature of identity in consonance with his metaphysical view of causes as processes? Discuss giving suitable examples.

8. Discuss the concept of substance according to Spinoza. Does his discussion on substance lead to pantheism? Substantiate your view.

9. How does Kant construct antinomies to illustrate the illusory tendencies of pure reason? Explain and examine the antinomies presented by Kant.

   20 marks

10. What is the dialectical method in the philosophy of Georg Wilhelm Hegel? How does this method help in realizing the Absolute? Discuss.

11. Is there any difference between pictorial form and logical form in Ludwig Wittgenstein's picture theory of language? How does the logical form define the relation between language and reality? Explain.

12. How does Soren Kierkegaard define the notion of 'subjectivity'? Explain it with reference to three stages of existence as propounded by him.

    20 marks

13. How does Rene Descartes explain the notion of certainty with reference to a of the self? Critically discuss the way it differs from the knowledge of _the world.

    5 marks

14. Why and how does John Locke refute the innate ideas? Elucidate the nature and source of knowledge in Locke's epistemology.

    5 marks

15. Examine and evaluate the proofs given by Sarmkhya philosophy to prove the existence of the

16. What is the ontological status of Samanya, according to Vaisesika Philosophy? Critically examine.

17. Discuss the nature and different stages of Samadhi as per Patanjala yoga and examine the role of Ivara in it.

18. How does Jaina view of Karma bear upon their soteriology? Critically

19. Do you agree with the view that 'Vivartavada is the logical development of Parinamavada'? Give reasons in support of your answer.

20. How compatible is Buddhist theory of momentariness with their theory of Karma? In this regard how do Buddhists respond to objections raised by their opponents? Critically discuss.

21. The doctrine of 'Relativism' of Jain Philosophy cannot be sogteatly sustained without postulating 'Absolutism'.' Critically examine this view and give reasons in the favour of your answer.

    5 marks

22. How do Mimamsakas refute the Nyaya view that Implication (arthapatti) is reducible to Inference (anumana) and establish Implication as an independent means of valid knowledge (pramana)? Critically discuss.

    5 marks

23. Inspite of accepting the intrinsic validity of knowledge, why and how Prabhakar and Kumirila differ in their interpretation of erroneous cognition? Discuss.

    20 marks

24. Explain Buddhist concept of Trratna and their internal relation. Critically examine the consistency of Trratnas with the Buddhist concept of No-soul (Nairatmyavada).

    5 marks

25. How do Naiyayikas respond to Carvaka's objections against inference (anumana) and establish inference as an independent means of knowledge? Critically oe

26. Brahma satyam jaganmithya, jivo Brahmaiva naparah'. In the light of this statement explain' the ontological status of I$vara, Jiva and Saksi as elucidated in Advaita Vedanta.

    20 marks

27. Explain and evaluate the role of integral yoga in the process of triple transforma- tion for individual evolution as expounded by Sri Aurobindo.

    5 marks

28. How does the concept of Liberation (Moksa) of Madhvacarya differ from that of Ramanujacarya? Explain.

    5 marks