Philosophy UPSC PYQ 2016

What would be Cārvāka's view on Vyāpti? Can this view be acceptable to the Naiyāyikas? Give reasons for your answer.

Why does Wittgenstein reject the possibility of private language?

What, according to Kant, are 'pure concepts'? Examine their role in the process of knowing.

Can we consider "freedom from domination" as one of the justifications for multiculturalism ? Give reasons for your answer.

"The goal in punishing should be to reform the individual." Comment.

“Sovereignty is the supreme power over citizens and subjects, unrestrained by law.” Discuss.

Discuss Quine's attack on the analytic synthetic distinction.

Evaluate Śaṅkara's position on Īśvara.

Buddhism disbelieves in the immortality of soul, but accepts the phenomenon of rebirth. Examine.

Does the 'Doctrine of Dependent Origination' reconcile the two extreme views on the law of causation, namely Satkāryavāda and Asatkāryavāda? Give reasons for your answer.

Can the 'Tattvārtha' theory of Jainism be acceptable for scientific explanations? Explain.

Explain verification theory. Does it lead to elimination of metaphysics?

The content of revelation is a body of truths expressed in statements or propositions. But it cannot be against reason. Discuss.

Critically examine Hume's views on the relation of cause and effect.

Explain Russell's view that "the physical object is a logical construction from sense-data". Why does he call his metaphysical view 'neutral monism'?

"The right of free speech implies the genuine independence of the judiciary and its complete separation from the executive." Evaluate.

"Socialism itself is the fulfilment of democracy." Analyse.

"World-religion is a spiritualistic and humanistic composite." Evaluate.

Evaluate the statement that all human beings have certain unalienable rights.

Does Plato's 'Theory of Form' explain the 'change' and 'sensibility' of matter? Give reasons for your answer.

"To me the female sex is not the weaker sex. It is the nobler of the two." Evaluate this statement of Gandhi.

What is Hegel's view on God? Do you think that his interpretation of God was contributive to the colonial and imperial expansionist designs? Explain.

Compare and contrast the relation of man to the world in the oriental religions.

Discuss Sartre's notion of 'Nothingness'.

Show how the attributes of immanence and transcendence of God go with omnipresence and infinitude.

"If God is all-powerful, God must wish to abolish all evils; but moral and natural evils are rampant in the world." How would a theist react to this ?

How do the Naiyāyikas justify the introduction of 'Abhāva' as an independent category? Explain.

Among the different views of religious language, which one is more satisfactory and why ?

Give a critical exposition of the concept of 'Brahman' as discussed by Śaṅkara, Rāmānuja and Madhava.

Discuss Aurobindo's views on 'Evolution' and 'Involution'. How do they differ from traditional Yoga philosophy?

A well-ordered society, according to Rawls, is effectively regulated by a public conception of justice. Do you agree ? Give reasons.

On what grounds does Laski criticize Austin's concept of sovereignty ?

Is liberty a positive and equal opportunity of self-realization ? Discuss.

Does Aristotle treat matter as a 'Substance'? Give reasons for your answer.

Examine Kant's criticism on Descartes' view of Self.

Do you agree that women become empowered through collective reflection and decision-making ? Discuss.

Is the doctrine of 'Self' acceptable in the modern age of science and reason? Examine the view in the light of Indian philosophy.

Faith means human awareness of God; but it cannot be irrational. Analyse.

Is Religious absolutism a threat to Religious pluralism ? Discuss.

What, according to Husserl, is the task of a philosopher? Do you think his methods are relevant to philosophy? Discuss.

"The natural world is as complexly and manifestly designed as a watch." Evaluate.

Critically discuss the view that 'modern sensibility and total obedience to a despotic God' do not go hand in hand.

Is it possible to measure social progress independent of economic development ? Discuss.

"Moral principles function better when they remain independent and unconnected with religion." Discuss.

What is the logical necessity for Locke to introduce the concept of secondary qualities? Give reasons for your answer.

"It would be self-contradictory to say that the most perfect conceivable being lacks the attribute of existence." Analyse.

How does 'Kṣaṇikavāda' strengthen the arguments for 'Nairātmavāda'? Explain.

What are Kleśas? How can these be eliminated? Explain.

Examine Jaina stance of 'Naya'. How does it differ from 'Syādväda'?

How did Ambedkar analyse the caste system from the historical and social perspectives ? Explain.

Critically examine the role of 'Prakṛti' in the process of evolution.

What is the logical necessity for the Mimāmsakas to treat 'Arthāpatti' as an independent Pramāṇa? Discuss.

Differentiate the concept of 'Kaivalya' as discussed in Jaina and Yoga philosophics.

Discuss the various stances on God taken by Rationalists and Empiricists.

Is the State an agency for expressing the will of the ruling classes ? Examine.

State and evaluate the nature and validity of mystic experience.