Philosophy Optional Question Paper 2016

The UPSC Philosophy Optional Question Paper 2016 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 (2016)

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) What is the logical necessity for Locke to introduce the concept of secondary qualities? Give reasons for your answer. 10
   (b) Examine Kant’s criticism on Descartes’ view of Self. 10
   (c) Why does Wittgenstein reject the possibility of private language? 10
   (d) Explain verification theory. Does it lead to elimination of metaphysics? 10
   (e) Discuss Quine’s attack on the analytic-synthetic distinction. 10
2. (a) Does Aristotle treat matter as a ‘Substance’? Give reasons for your answer. 20
   (b) Critically examine Hume’s views on the relation of cause and effect. 15
   (c) Discuss Sartre’s notion of ‘Nothingness’. 15
3. (a) Does Plato’s “Theory of Form’ explain the ‘change’ and ‘sensibility’ of matter? Give reasons for your answer. 20
   (b) What, according to Kant, are ‘pure concepts’? Examine their role in the process of knowing. 15
   (c) Explain Russell’s view that “the physical object is a logical construction from sense- data”. Why does he call his metaphysical view ‘neutral monism’? 15
4. (a) What, according to Husserl, is the task of a philosopher? Do you think his methods are relevant to philosophy? Discuss. 20
   (b) 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. 15
   (c) Discuss the various stances on God taken by Rationalists and Empiricists. 15

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

5. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each: 10×5=50
   (a) Differentiate the concept of ‘Kaivalya’ as discussed in Jaina and Yoga philosophies. 10
   (b) How does ‘Kshanikavada’ strengthen the arguments for ‘Nairatmyavada’? Explain. 10
   (c) Critically examine the role of ‘Prakriti’ in the process of evolution. 10
   (d) Examine Jaina stance of ‘Naya’. How does it differ from ‘Syadvada’? 10
   (e) Evaluate Shankara’s position on Ishvara. 10
6. (a) Does the ‘Doctrine of Dependent Origination’ reconcile the two extreme views law of causation, namely Satkaryavada and Asatkaryavada? Give reasons for answer. 20
   (b) Can the ‘Tattvartha’ theory of Jainism be acceptable for scientific explanation? Explain. 15
   (c) Is the doctrine of ‘Self’ acceptable in the modern age of science and reason? Examine the view in the light of Indian philosophy. 15
7. (a) Discuss Aurobindo’s views on ‘Evolution’ and ‘Involution’. How do they differ from traditional Yoga philosophy? 20
   (b) What would be Carvaka’s view on Vyapti? Can this view be acceptable to the Naiyayikas? Give reasons for your answer. 15
   (c) What is the logical necessity for the Mimamsakas to treat ‘Arthapatti’ as an independent Pramana ? Discuss. 15
8. (a) How do the Naiyayikas justify the introduction of ‘Abhava’ as an independent category ? Explain. 20
   (b) What are Kleshas ? How can these be eliminated? Explain. 15
   (c) Give a critical exposition of the concept of ‘Brahman’ as discussed by Shankara, Ramanuja and Madhva. 15

Philosophy Optional Question Paper-II (2016)

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) “Sovereignty is the supreme power over citizens and subjects, unrestrained by law. ” Discuss. 10
   (b) A well-ordered society, according to Rawls, is effectively regulated by a public conception of justice. Do you agree ? Give reasons. 10
   (c) “Socialism itself is the fulfilment of democracy.” Analyse. 10
   (d) Evaluate the statement that all human beings have certain unalienable rights. 10
   (e) “The goal in punishing should be to reform the individual.” Comment. 10
2. (a) Is liberty a positive and equal opportunity of self-realization? Discuss. 20
   (b) On what grounds does Laski criticize Austin’s concept of sovereignty? 15
   (c) “The right of free speech implies the genuine independence of the judiciary and its complete separation from the executive.” Evaluate. 15
3. (a) Is the State an agency for expressing the will of the ruling classes ? Examine. 20
   (b) Can we consider “freedom from domination” as one of the justifications for multiculturalism? Give reasons for your answer. 15
   (c) Is it possible to measure social progress independent of economic development ? Discuss. 15
4. (a) “To me the female sex is not the weaker sex. It is the nobler of the two.” Evaluate this statement of Gandhi. 20
   (b) Do you agree that women become empowered through collective reflection and decision-making? Discuss. 15
   (c) How did Ambedkar analyse the caste system from the historical and social perspectives ? Explain. 15

Section ‘B’: Philosophy of Religion

5. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each: 10×5=50
   (a) Critically discuss the view that ‘modern sensibility and total obedience to a despotic God’ do not go hand in hand. 10
   (b) “World-religion is a spiritualistic and humanistic composite.” Evaluate. 10
   (c) Is Religious absolutism a threat to Religious pluralism? Discuss. 10
   (d) Buddhism disbelieves in the immortality of soul, but accepts the phenomenon of rebirth. Examine. 10
   (e) Faith means human awareness of God; but it cannot be irrational. Analyse. 10
6. (a) The content of revelation is a body of truths expressed in statements or propositions. But it cannot be against reason. Discuss 20
   (b) Compare and contrast the relation of man to the world in the oriental religions. 15
   (c) Show how the attributes of immanence and transcendence of God go with omnipresence and infinitude. 15
7. (a) State and evaluate the nature and validity of mystic experience. 20
   (b) “Moral principles function better when they remain independent and unconnected with religion.” Discuss. 15
   (c) “It would be self-contradictory to say that the most perfect conceivable being lacks the attribute of existence” Analyse. 15
8. (a) “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? 20
   (b) Among the different views of religious language, which one is more satisfactory and why? 15
   (c) “The natural world is as complexly and manifestly designed as a watch.” Evaluate. 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
• Philosophy Optional Preparation Strategy for 300+ Marks
• Philosophy Optional Success Rate in UPSC: Official Annual Report Data