UPSC Mains PHILOSOPHY-PAPER-I 2012

‘Logicial positivism broadly claims that Metaphysics and Theology are meaningless because they are neither matters of logic nor verifiable empirically.’ Critically examine.

John Locke said that ‘No man's knowledge can go beyond his experience’. Discuss critically the implication of this statement.

According to Wittgenstein ‘Philosophy is a battle against the bewitchment of our intelligence by means of language’. Explain the function of philosophy in the context of above statement.

How does Descartes’ ‘Cogito Ergo Sum’ affect Hume and Kant’s transcendental philosophy ? Explain.

Sören Kierkegaard clarified that “The function of prayer is not to influence God but rather to change the nature of the one who prays”. Comment on this statement.

If 'every determination is negation' then how can substance have attributes ? Explain.

Why is Kant's philosophy known as a Copernican revolution in metaphysics ? What was revolutionary about Kantian philosophy ? Give reasons for your answer.

Does Leibnitz succeed in combining the mechanical with the teleological view of the world? Explain his theory of Pre-established Harmony.

Was Hume a Sceptic ? If not then what is his contribution to Philosophy ?

Elucidate Existentialism and indicate its strong and weak points in your own words.

Discuss Aristotle's metaphysical theory as a polemic against Plato's theory of Ideas.

If 'To be is to be perceived' then how does Berkeley explain the permanence of things ? Explain.

Explain the theory of definite descriptions according to Russell.

Does monadology sufficiently explain the nature of substance ? Are monads independent of each other ? Explain.

Why do Carvākas not believe in the validity of inference ? What logic do they give for their belief?

Critically evaluate Jaina doctrine of relative pluralism or Anekāntvāda.

How Samkhya theory of causation is different from that of Nyaya theory of causation ? Explain.

Why does Mimāmsā give utmost importance to SHABDA-PRAMĀNA the verbal testimony ? Is it anything to do with Vedas ? Give your comments.

Do you agree with the view that in early Buddhism more importance was given to Four Noble Truths than to systematic metaphysics ? Give reasons for your agreement or disagreement.

Discuss the views of Mimamsā and Nyaya on the theory of Pramanyavāda. Which of them do you find adequate ? Give reasons for your answer.

Examine critically the statement that ‘the doctrine of paticcasamuppada was given only to explain the problem of sorrow and not to solve the problems of metaphysics’.

Explain the theory of illusion accepted by Buddhists. Is it consistent with their philosophy? Give reasons for your answer.

Do you agree with Ramanuj's view that the nature of Brahman is qualified ? Give reasons for your answer.

Write a note on Shankara's Vivartavāda and discuss its implications.

Explain why māyā and avidyā are considered as anirvačaniya (indescribable) in Advaita Vedanta ?

On what basis does Carvaka reject the cause-effect relationship? Give reasons for your answer.

Critically evaluate the statement that “Yoga Sutra emphasises more on praxis (action) than on theoria (reflection)”.

Give your critical comments on the assertion that the school of Yoga broadly accepts Samkhyā ontology.

‘Involution is the presupposition of Evolution.’ Explain the role of involution in the world-process.

Explain the notion of ego or ahankara and its role in the doctrine of Vedanta.

Write a note on Nagarjuna’s contribution to Madhyamica School of Buddhism.