Paper: IAS Mains Previous Year Paper Philosophy (1999)

Paper-I- Philosophy-1999 (Mains)

SECTION A

1. Clarify any three of the following in not more than 200 words each
(a) Aristotle’s arguments for his theory of substance
(b) Husserl’s project of presupposition less inquiry
(c) Russell’s concept of negative facts
(d) Kant’s Ideas of Reason

2. Evaluate Hume’s theory of personal identity.

3. Clarify Moore’s conception of common sense and examine his arguments in its defense.

4. Examine Quince’s critique of the linguistic theory of necessary propositions.

SECTION B

5. Write short notes (not more than 200 words each) on any three of the following:
(a) The Nyaya theory of causality
(b) The Pun.aM1mamsa conception of khyati
(c) The Samkhya arguments for the existence of prakrti
(d) The Jaina arguments for anekantavada

6. Explain the Nyaya-Vaisesika theory of vyapti and vyaptijnana.

7. Evaluate Nagarjuna’s arguments for, sunyavada.

8. Explain Sankara’s conception of moksa. What, in his view, is the relation of karma and jnana to moksa? Justify your answer.

Paper-II- Philosophy-1999 (Mains)

SECTION A

1. Write critical notes on any three of the following in not more than 200 words each
(a) Reformative theory of punishment
(b) Liberal Democracy
(c) Sarvodaya
(d) Scientific Temper

2. ‘We obey the state because in the end it most truly represents ourselves. Discuss the relation of the individual and the state in the light of the above concept of the state.

3. Give a critical account of Austin’s view that power is the determining factor of sovereignty.

4. Explain humanism and discuss the essential features of radical humanism.

SECTION B

5. Write critical notes on any three of the following in not more than 200 words each.
(a) Religion, Theology and Philosophy of Religion
(b) Jivanmukti
(c) Naturalistic notion of God
(d) Religion and Morality

6. Explain the ontological argument for God’s existence and examine the fallacies involved in this argument.

7. What is the problem of evil? Discuss the theistic solution to this problem.

8. Elucidate the nature of religious knowledge. Is revelation a sufficient of religious knowledge, Discuss?