(Download) UPSC IAS Mains 2015: Philosophy (Paper -1 & 2) Optional Question Paper

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(Download) UPSC IAS Mains 2015: Philosophy (Paper -1 & Paper-2) Optional Question Paper

Subject: Philosophy (Paper -1 & 2) Optional

Exam Date: 23rd December 2015

Philosophy (Paper -1)

Section-A

1. Write a short answers to the following in about 150 words each:- 10x5=50 marks

(a) Aristotle's distinction between 'actually and potentiality'. 10 marks
(b) Esse est percipi 10 marks
(c) Husserl's notion of 'bracketing: 10 marks
(d) Strawson's distinction between 'M' and 'P' predicates. 10 marks
(e) GE. Moore's refutation of idealism. 10 marks

2.(a) Explain Kant's division of categories. 20 marks
(b) Discuss why Heidegger introduces the concept of Dasein in his metaphysics. 15 marks
(c) Elucidate Quine's arguments to show that analyticity is not synonymity. 15 marks

3.(a) Bring out the relationship between language games and forms of life. 20 marks
(b) Explain Leibniz's principle of 'identity of indiscernibles’ 15 marks
(c) What do we understand by incomplete symbols ? What role do they play in Russell's theory of meaning ? Discuss. 15 marks

4.(a) Explain Plato's theory of forms. Does it entail a kind of essentialism? Discuss. 20 marks
(b) Does Descartes Cogito principle entail that he is an essentialist ? Discuss. 15 marks
(c) Bring out the relationship between existence and essence in the case of human being. Explain the issues it gives rise to for human beings according to Sartre. 15 marks

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Section-B

5. Write short answers to the following in about 150 words cach : 10x5=50 marks

(a) Pancavidhabheda 10 marks
(b) Jain concept of Dravya 10 marks
(c) Alayavijnana 10 marks
(d) Satkaryavada 10 marks
(e) Sri Aurobindo's Integral Yoga. 10 marks

6.(a) Elaborate Nyaya-Mimamsa debate on Pramanyavāda. 20 marks
(b) 'Our knowledge is confined to gunas alone'. Examine this statement in the light of Vaisesika and Buddhist controversy. 15 marks
(c) Is anyathākhyārivāda an adequate explanation of error ? Elaborate. 15 marks

7.(a) Compare and contrast the notion of Brahman in Sankara and Ramanuja. 20 marks
(b) State and examine the Samkhya proofs for the existence of Purulia. 15 marks
(c) Explain the arguments of Carvaka to reject transcendental entities. 15 marks

8.(a) What is bondage according to yoga philosophy ? Explain the method of attaining Kaivalya in Patanjali's yoga sutra. 20 marks
(b) What do Samvara and Nirjara mean? Explain their significance in Jaina theory of liberation. 15 marks
(c) What is the role of Pratilyasamutpāda in explaining Dukha? Elucidate the incas to overcome it. 15 marks

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Philosophy (Paper -2)

Section-A

1. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each :. 10x5=50 marks

(a) Equality does not mean treating everyone equal." Discuss. 10 marks
(b) Is civil disobedience in a democratic State justifiable? Discuss. 10 marks
(c) Explain Harold Laski's critique of sovereignty. 10 marks
(d) How are individual and group rights reconciled in democracy? Explain 10 marks
(e) "Inequitable development leads to social conflicts rather than social progress." . : Explain. 10 marks

2.(a) What does gender discrimination mean? Is it not a violation of equality and social justice? Discuss. 15 marks
(b) Does economic empowerment of women eliminate gender discrimination? Discuss: 15. marks
(c) Evaluate Ambedkar's critique of caste system. 20 marks

3.(a) Is multiculturalism a need of global society? Discuss. 15 marks
(b) "The aim of punishment is to defend the moral law and to do justice to criminal." Discuss 15 marks
(c) Evaluate the nature and functions of parliamentary democracy.

4.(a) "Man must grow materially as well as spiritually." Evaluate this statement of Ambedkar. 15 marks
(b) "Equality will be of no value without fraternity and liberty." Discuss. 15 marks
(c) How is religious nationalism a threat to secular State? Explain. 15 marks

Philosophy Optional Printed Study Materials for UPSC Mains

SECTION-B

5. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each: 10x5=50 marks

(a) Write a critical note on the attributes of God.
(b) Is existence of God A.necessary condition for the survival of religion? Explain:
(c) Is morality necessarily based on religion? Discuss.
(d) Is God the cause of natural evil? Explain.
(e) Do faith and reason go together? Discuss,

6.(a) How can the religious language be verified? Is it correct to say that religious , language is verified because it cannot be falsified? Discuss. 20 marks
(b) Explain the nature of mysticism in Hinduism and Islam. 15 marks
(c) Can revelation be justified by reason? Discuss. 15 marks

7.(a) Do you think that evil is a bitter pill which no theist can easily swallow? Discuss. 15 marks
(b) "Immortality means absence of Karma and Rebirth.” Discuss. 15 marks
(c) Examine the Nyaya arguments in favour of the existence of God. 20 marks

8.(a) An atheist may be a better man than a religious person bereft of moral values." Discuss. 15 marks
(b) Examine the ontological and cosmological arguments in favour of the existence of God. 15 marks
(c) What is liberation? Briefly discuss the ways to attain it as outlined in the systems of Vedanta. 20 marks