Philosophy Optional Question Paper 2020

The UPSC Philosophy Optional Question Paper 2020 for the Civil Services Mains examination is reproduced below in full: Philosophy Paper-I and Paper-II, Section A and Section B, with verbatim official questions and marks for every question as UPSC printed them. For topic-wise categorization across past 25+ years, explore our comprehensive repository on Philosophy Optional Topic-Wise PYQs. You can also refer to the complete Philosophy Optional Syllabus for detailed micro-topic mappings.

Philosophy Optional Question Paper-I (2020)

Time Allowed: Three Hours · Maximum Marks: 250
Eight questions divided into two sections. Question 1 and Question 5 are compulsory, and three more are to be attempted choosing at least one from each section.

Section ‘A’: History and Problems of Philosophy (Western Philosophy)

1. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each: 10×5=50
   (a) How does Aristotle argue for the priority of Form over Matter and Actuality over Potentiality? Critically discuss. 10
   (b) How does Leibniz’s conception of monads bear upon his views on determinism and freedom? Discuss with your own comments. 10
   (c) What, according to Husserl, is wrong with psychologism? How does Husserl address the problems with psychologism in his phenomenological method? 10
   (d) Examine the reality of the phenomenal world in the light of Hegel’s Absolute ldealism. 10
   (e) “The Soul of Superman is Good.” Critically examine the above statement in the light of logical positivism. 10
2. (a) “I never can catch myself at any time without perception, and never can observe anything but the perception.” How does this statement by Hume problematize the philosophical notion of personal identity? How does Kant deal with this problem in his Critique of Pure Reason? 20
   (b) Critically discuss the following statement by Moore: “If anyone tells us that to say ‘Blue exists’ is the same thing as to say that ‘Both blue and consciousness exists makes a mistake and a self-contradictory mistake. ” 15
   (c) “The reason that I call my doctrine logical atomism is because the atoms that I wish to arrive at as the sort of last residue in analysis are logical atoms and not physical atoms” Write a note on the nature of atomic facts according to Russell in the light of the above statement. 15
3. (a) What does Kierkegaard mean by saying “Subjectivity is the truth” in the context of the problem of ‘the single individual’? 20
   (b) Evaluate the role of spatio-temporal thinking in objective thinking with reference to Strawson’s theory of basic particulars. 15
   (c) When does Pure Reason enter into the realm of Antinomies according to Kant? Is Kant’s notion of Antinomies of Pure reason a natural culmination of his distinction between Phenomena and Noumena: provide reasons in favour of your answer. 15
4. (a) “You can always make something out of what you have been made into.” Critically discuss this statement by Sartre with reference to his views on existentialism. 20
   (b) “From the necessity of the divine nature there must follow infinitely many ways.” Explain this statement by Spinoza along with some possible criticisms. 15
   (c) But could we also imagine a language in which a person could write down or give vocal expression to his inner experiences, his feelings, moods and the rest-for his private use”? Critically discuss the answer offered by Witlgenstein to this question. 15

Section ‘B’: History and Problems of Philosophy (Indian Philosophy)

5. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each: 10×5=50
   (a) Examine the concept of Karma according to Jainism. How does it bear upon their conception of Liberation? 10
   (b) Explain the difference between Samprajnata Samàdhi and Asamprajnata Samadhi 10
   (c) Why is memory not a valid knowledge according to Mihatmasa? 10
   (d) Point out the significance of the five-fold differences in the Dualistic School of Vedänta. 10
   (e) Discuss the nature and types of matier according to Nimbarka. 10
6. (a) How is Kanikavada a logical derivative of Pratityasamutpada in Buddhism? Explain. 20
   (b) Critically evaluate Carvaka’s’ rejection of Ákasa as one of the elements of reality and examine their criticism of transmigration of Soul. 15
   (c) Explain the concepts of ‘Anyathasiddha’ and ‘Ananyathâsiddha’ in the context of Asatkaryavada. 15
7. (a) A mango tree is grown out of a mango seed,” How will Samkhya system explain this process through their theory of causation by rejecting their rival perspectives? 20
   (b) How does Buddhism explain Self in terms of Pancaskandhas? What is Liberation for Buddhism if there is no Soul? 15
   (c) Explain the differences of conception of Reality between Cárvaka and Jainism. 15
8. (a) What does Aurobindo mean by lite divine as a possibility and inevitability? 20
   (b) Critically evaluate the logical and metaphysical status of Visesa in the context of Vaisesika Philosophy. 15
   (c) Discuss the nature and relationship of Jiva and Jiva-sakshi to non-dualism. 15

Philosophy Optional Question Paper-II (2020)

Time Allowed: Three Hours · Maximum Marks: 250
Eight questions divided into two sections. Question 1 and Question 5 are compulsory, and three more are to be attempted choosing at least one from each section.

Section ‘A’: Socio-Political Philosophy

1. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each: 10×5=50
   (a) Is the concept of ‘liberty’ realizable in the modern technological society? Explain. 10
   (b) How far do the liberal democracies safeguard the interests of minorities? Evaluate critically. 10
   (c) Do you think that secularism requires complete separation of religion and ‘state’? Discuss. 10
   (d) Explain the importance of Bodin’s theory of sovereignty. 10
   (e) Do you think that the prevailing pandemic will lead to anarchism in society? Discuss. 10
2. (a) State and examine the Gandhian concept of social development. 20
   (b) How far is Marxism as a philosophical doctrine relevant in the present context? Justify your answer. 15
   (c) Is Indian tradition antagonistic to Individual Rights? Consider it by taking recourse to the doctrine of Human Rights. 15
3. (a) State and examine B.R. Ambedkar’s contribution towards social changes in Independent India. 20
   (b) What do you understand by multiculturalism? Explain the structural Characteristics that make a nation multicultural. 15
   (c) Do you think that retributive theory of punishment is against human rights? Discuss. 15
4. (a) Do you agree that empowering women can eliminate gender discrimination? Discuss. 20
   (b) State and explain the relevance of the doctrine of sovereignty in times of globalization. 15
   (c) How far do the social and political regimes condition corrupt practices in a nation-state? Discuss. 15

Section ‘B’: Philosophy of Religion

5. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each: 10×5=50
   (a) Discuss the significance of ‘Religion’ vis-à-vis the present scientific and technological development. 10
   (b) The concept of ‘Immortality’ is a basic presupposition of religion. Elaborate your answer. 10
   (c) Is it acceptable that the History of Religions is the History of Conflicts? Discuss. 10
   (d) Is there any compatibility between ‘Freedom of Will’ and ‘Omnipotent God’? Discuss. 10
   (e) What is the importance of religious tolerance in a multicultural pluralistic society? Justify your answer. 10
6. (a) It is ontological proof for the existence of God by St. Anselm logical? Discuss. 20
   (b) What is the logical problem of evil? Discuss. 15
   (c) Critically examine the concept of God as prerequisite for a religion. 15
7. (a) Discuss the nature of God in Hinduism with special reference to Vishisht Advaita (Qualified non-dualism). 20
   (b) Distinguish between prayer and worship and determine their place in religion. 15
   (c) What are the basic tenets of faith? Distinguish between faith and belief. 15
8. (a) Does religious language carry cognitive content? Elucidate in detail. 20
   (b) Are religious beliefs and practices incompatible with moral behaviour ? Discuss. 15
   (c) Do you accept that knowledge, Action and Devotion are the means to attain liberation in Indian tradition? Discuss. 15

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• Philosophy Optional Portal (Master Guide & Resources)
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