Philosophy Optional Question Paper 2015

The UPSC Philosophy Optional Question Paper 2015 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 (2015)

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) Aristotle’s distinction between actually’ and ‘potentiality’. 10
   (b) esse est percipi. 10
   (c) Husserl’s notion of ‘bracketing’. 10
   (d) Strawson’s distinction between ‘M’ and ‘P’ predicates. 10
   (e) G.E. Moore’s refutation of idealism. 10
2. (a) Explain Kant’s division of categories. 20
   (b) Discuss why Heidegger introduces the concept of Dasein in his metaphysics. 15
   (c) Elucidate Quine’s arguments to show that analyticity is not synonymity. 15
3. (a) Bring out the relationship between language games and forms of life. 20
   (b) Explain Leibnitz’s principle of ‘identity of indiscernibles’. 15
   (c) What do we understand by incomplete symbols? What role do they play in Russell’s theory of meaning ? Discuss. 15
4. (a) Explain Plato’s theory of forms. Does it entail a kind of essentialism? Discuss. 20
   (b) Does Descartes Cogito principle entail that he is an essentialist? Discuss. 15
   (c) Bring out the relationship between existence and essence in the case of human being. Explain the issues it gives rise to for human beings according to Sartre. 15

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

5. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each: 10×5=50
   (a) Pancavidhabheda 10
   (b) Jain concept of Dravya 10
   (c) Alayavijnana 10
   (d) Satkaryavada 10
   (e) Sri Aurobindo’s Integral Yoga 10
6. (a) Elaborate Nyaya-Mimamsa debate on Pramanyavada. 20
   (b) ‘Our knowledge is confined to gunas alone’. Examine this statement in the light of Vaisheshika and Buddhist controversy. 15
   (c) Is anyathakhyativada an adequate explanation of error? Elaborate. 15
7. (a) Compare and contrast the notion of Brahman in Shankara and Ramanuja. 20
   (b) State and examine the Samkhya proofs for the existence of Purusha. 15
   (c) Explain the arguments of Carvaka to reject transcendental entities. 15
8. (a) What is bondage according to yoga philosophy? Explain the method of attaining Kaivalya in Patanjali’s yogasutra. 20
   (b) What do Samvara and Nirjara mean? Explain their significance in Jaina theory of liberation. 15
   (c) What is the role of Pratityasamutpada in explaining Dukha? Elucidate the means to overcome it. 15

Philosophy Optional Question Paper-II (2015)

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) “Equality does not mean treating everyone equal.” Discuss. 10
   (b) Is civil disobedience in a democratic State justifiable? Discuss. 10
   (c) Explain Harold Laski’s critique of sovereignty. 10
   (d) How are individual and group rights reconciled in democracy? Explain. 10
   (e) “Inequitable development leads to social conflicts rather than social progress.” Explain. 10
2. (a) What does gender discrimination mean? Is it not a violation of equality and social justice? Discuss. 20
   (b) Does economic empowerment of women eliminate gender discrimination? Discuss. 15
   (c) Evaluate Ambedkar’s critique of caste system. 15
3. (a) Is multiculturalism a need of global society? Discuss. 20
   (b) “The aim of punishment is to defend the moral law and to do justice to criminal.” Discuss. 15
   (c) Evaluate the nature and functions of parliamentary democracy. 15
4. (a) “Man must grow materially as well as spiritually.” Evaluate this statement of Ambedkar. 20
   (b) “Equality will be of no value without fraternity and liberty.” Discuss. 15
   (c) How is religious nationalism a threat to secular State? Explain. 15

Section ‘B’: Philosophy of Religion

5. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each: 10×5=50
   (a) Write a critical note on the attributes of God. 10
   (b) Is existence of God a necessary condition for the survival of religion? Explain. 10
   (c) Is morality necessarily based on religion? Discuss. 10
   (d) Is God the cause of natural evil ? Explain. 10
   (e) Do faith and reason go together? Discuss. 10
6. (a) How can the religious language be verified? Is it correct to say that religious language is verified because it cannot be falsified? Discuss. 20
   (b) Explain the nature of mysticism in Hinduism and Islam. 15
   (c) Can revelation be justified by reason? Discuss. 15
7. (a) Do you think that evil is a bitter pill which no theist can easily swallow? Discuss. 20
   (b) “Immortality means absence of Karma and Rebirth.” Discuss. 15
   (c) Examine the Nyaya arguments in favour of the existence of God. 15
8. (a) “An atheist may be a better man than a religious person bereft of moral values.” Discuss. 20
   (b) Examine the ontological and cosmological arguments in favour of the existence of God. 15
   (c) What is liberation? Briefly discuss the ways to attain it as outlined in the systems of Vedanta. 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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