Philosophy Optional Question Paper 2017

The UPSC Philosophy Optional Question Paper 2017 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 (2017)

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) Elaborate Hegel’s dictum: “All identity is identity and difference.” 10
   (b) Explain Husserl’s reasons for advocating phenomenological reductionism. 10
   (c) How is the statement, ‘I met a man’, semantically problematic for Russell? How does he account for the meaningfulness of this statement? 10
   (d) In what sense can ideas be both immanent and transcendent? Discuss in this context Plato’s theory of universals and particulars. 10
   (e) Show how Hume’s analysis of experience leaves no ground for belief in any permanent reality either physical or mental. 10
2. (a) How is ‘all bodies are extended’ an analytic judgement but ‘all bodies are heavy a synthetic judgement? Is ‘every event has a cause an analytic or a synthetic judgement? Explain. 20
   (b) What is Wittgenstein’s picture theory of meaning? What are his reasons for giving up this theory and suggesting the use theory of meaning? 15
   (c) Explain Aristotle’s theory of form and matter. How does it help him resolve the problem of change and permanence? 15
3. (a) Elaborate Kant’s theory of space and time. How does this theory enable him to explain how mathematical propositions can be both synthetic and a priori? 20
   (b) What, according to Descartes, is a ‘clear and distinct idea’? What is the epistemological status of clear and distinct ideas? Does this account help Descartes prove that material objects exist? Explain. 15
   (c) What are the two dogmas of empiricism that Quine attacks? What are his arguments against what he calls the second dogma? 15
4. (a) How does Locke draw a distinction between primary and secondary qualities? Does he also draw a distinction between the idea of primary qualities and primary qualities as well as the idea of secondary qualities and secondary qualities? Discuss. 20
   (b) ‘Does the sentence, ‘Whatever is coloured is extended’, satisfy the criterion of meaningfulness proposed by the logical positivists? Explain. 15
   (c) Discuss Heidegger’s concept of authenticity and explain how an inauthentic Dasein regains the lost self? 15

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

5. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each: 10×5=50
   (a) “The soul is nothing but conscious body.” What are the reasons for Carvaka in holding this view? 10
   (b) What are the necessary characteristics of padartha according to Vaiseshika philosophy? 10
   (c) Explain the conditions of valid hetu as propounded in Nyaya philosophy. 10
   (d) What is meant by “yogashcittavrittinirodhah” ? Explain cittavritti and its effects according to Yoga philosophy. 10
   (e) Elucidate the role of catushkoti in explaining the nature of reality according to Madhyamika school of thought. 10
6. (a) Explain the early Nyaya definition of perception. Why this definition is considered inadequate by the later Naiyayikas ? 20
   (b) “The Jaina metaphysics is relativistic and realistic pluralism.” Discuss. 15
   (c) What are the arguments of the Buddhists to establish Kshanikavada ? Do they necessarily lead to krtanasha and akstabhyupagama ?, 15
7. (a) How do Madhyamikas, Yogacaravadins and Sarvastivadins differ among themselves concerning the nature of reality? How do Sarvastivadins differ among themselves with regard to knowledgeability of reality? 20
   (b) How does Sri Aurobindo’s integral yoga help in the realization of supramental consciousness? Discuss. 15
   (c) Distinguish between vivartavada and parinamavada with reference to causation and explain how in the light of these theories Shankara and Ramanuja differ on the status of the world. 15
8. (a) Explain the theory of Validity of Knowledge (pramanyavada) according to Mimamsakas. How did they criticize the Nyaya theory of Validity? 20
   (b) Explain Ramanuja’s conception of God and examine the difficulties he faced in explaining the relation of God to matter and spirit. 15
   (c) Given its theory of causation, is it possible for Samkhya to explain the presence of consciousness in the world? Discuss. 15

Philosophy Optional Question Paper-II (2017)

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) Discuss in the context of anarchy whether the freedom of an individual is consistent with the sovereignty of the State. 10
   (b) Discuss whether a blending of monarchy with democracy is conceivable to avoid their undesirable defects for making the governance better for citizens and State. 10
   (c) Is caste discrimination a result of the superiority complex of a privileged class of the society or of religious rituals? Discuss with reference to the views propounded by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. 10
   (d) Out of rights and duties, which one is prior to the other? Discuss in the context of accountability. 10
   (e) Discuss the different aspects of the fundamental distinction between democratic equality and the Marxian notion of equality. 10
2. (a) Do you agree with the view that secularism as a western ideal is redundant in the Indian context? Discuss in the context of the multicultural Indian society. 20
   (b) Critically evaluate whether the ideal of social progress gives a secondary significance to an individual’s freedom over his duties. 15
   (c) Discuss whether Kautilya’s concept of sovereignty turns into a despotic rule. How far is it comparable to Bodin’s concept? Discuss. 15
3. (a) Does Marxism curb individual freedom in the name of protecting social justice? Discuss. 20
   (b) Can you justify capital punishment for crimes like rape, murder and corruption? Discuss. 15
   (c) Is empowerment of women a sufficient means to their equal rights to land, property and divorce? Discuss in the context of religious sanctions. 15
4. (a) Evaluate the concept of social development as rooted in ethical principles against the concept of social progress being based on economic and political ideals. 20
   (b) How far do Marx, Gandhi and Amartya Sen agree and disagree on the concept of justice in the Indian democracy? Discuss. 15
   (c) Will a severe punishment for crimes against women change the mind-set of society? Justify your position. 15

Section ‘B’: Philosophy of Religion

5. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each: 10×5=50
   (a) Does a committed religious person go against social morality? Discuss from the moral perspective. 10
   (b) How do you define a non-theological concept of evil? Explain. 10
   (c) Is God necessary for religion? Justify your answer. 10
   (d) Discuss whether the doctrine of immortality of soul is indispensable for a religion. 10
   (e) Critically discuss the relationship of man with God in the Yoga system of philosophy. 10
6. (a) Is there an essential difference between the concept of Liberation in theological and non-theological approaches to life? Discuss. 20
   (b) Does religion guarantee the absolute truth? Discuss in the context of religious pluralism. 15
   (c) Compare and contrast the different forms of cosmological argument. 15
7. (a) Is not the language of analogies more confusing and the language of symbols more unintelligible? Evaluate it in the case of a religious language. 20
   (b) What will be the authority and acceptance of the absolute ethical values in the non-theological system of social practices? Discuss. 15
   (c) Discuss whether the voluntarist’s theories of faith are adequate. 15
8. (a) Can a religious person take an elastic view about religious ideals, principles and practices, etc. which are supposed to be eternal? Will it make the religion progressive or will it demolish its authority? Discuss critically. 20
   (b) What is a non-theological concept of God? How is it different from a theological concept of God? Discuss with arguments. 15
   (c) In order to make expressions of religious experiences communicable, what kind of language needs to be constructed and used? Explain. 15

Related Philosophy Optional Resources

• Philosophy Optional Portal (Master Guide & Resources)
• Philosophy Optional Syllabus for UPSC Mains
• Philosophy Optional Topic-Wise PYQs (1990–2026)
• Philosophy Optional Booklist & Standard Reference Sources
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