Philosophy Optional Question Paper 2013

The UPSC Philosophy Optional Question Paper 2013 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 (2013)

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) Explain and evaluate Strawson’s arguments for his conception of the nature of a person. 10
   (b) Explain Wittgenstein’s arguments against the possibility of private language. 10
   (c) Distinguish necessary from empirical propositions. How is a necessary proposition justified?’Explain. 10. 10
   (d) Discuss how by refuting the different concepts of substances Aristotle establishes his own theory of substance. 10
   (e) What is an antinomy? Describe the major antinomies discussed by Kant. 10
2. (a) Explain Plato’s ontological theory of Forms. Is ‘knowledge’ one of the Forms? Give reasons. 12.5
   (b) State Kant’s view of causality. How far is Kant able to answer Hume’s objection that causal relation lacks logical necessity? 12.5
   (c) Distinguish between atomic and general propositions. Show how they are justified true. 12.5
   (d) Write a short critical essay on Spinoza’s conception of freedom of the individual. 12.5
3. (a) Explain Descartes’ method of doubt. Can this method be used to justify his belief in the existence of God? Argue your case. 12.5
   (b) Comment: ‘Movement is contradiction itself.’ Examine, in this context, Hegel’s dialectical method. 12.5
   (c) Examine John Locke’s theory of substance. 12.5
   (d) Examine Sartre’s distinction between Being-for-itself and Being-in-itself. 12.5
4. (a) Comment: ‘Moore’s defence of common sense essentially is defence of ordinary language. 12.5
   (b) Analyse Kierkegaard’s concept of choice. Can there be, in his view, correct or incorrect choice Discuss. 12.5
   (c) Give a critical account of Leibnitz’s’ principle of the identity of indiscernibles. 12.5
   (d) Give a critical account of Hume’s theory of the Self. 12.5

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

5. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each: 10×5=50
   (a) Analyse the relation between the theory of saptabhanginaya and anekantavada. 10
   (b) Explain the Buddhists’ position of ‘Impermanence’ and show how the idea of Impermanence leads to the theory of momentariness of reality. 10
   (c) How is the pramanya (validity/truth) of a statement determined? Examine, in this context, the theory of paratah-pramanyavada. 10
   (d) Explain the possibility of jivanmukti. Critically compare it with the Yoga account of kaivalya. 10
   (e) Explain Sri Aurobindo’s conception of cosmic salvation through spiritual evolution of the individual. 10
6. (a) Describe the five types of differences (panchavidhabheda). Bring out their philosophical significance for Madhva’s theory. 12.5
   (b) What is samavaya ? What are the grounds for accepting samavaya as a distinct padartha ? Discuss. 12.5
   (c) Evaluate the relation, if any, between purusa and prakrti. 12.5
   (d) How can Ishvara (God) be distinguished from Brahman (Absolute)? Which of the two concepts are philosophically better? 12.5
7. (a) Analyse the Nyaya concept of vyapti and examine its relation to tarka. 12.5
   (b) Evaluate Prabhakara Mimamsaka’s arguments for accepting shruti as pramana. 12.5
   (c) Examine, the Nyaya-Vaisheshika arguments for the existence of jivatma (soul) . 12.5
   (d) Distinguish between Svarupa laksana and Tatastha laksana of Brahman after Shankara. 12.5
8. (a) Comment : ‘Accepting sunyavada makes one indifferent to the pursuit of dharma. Examine, in this context, Nagarjuna’s arguments for sunyavada. 12.5
   (b) ‘Not karma, but knowledge alone leads to moksha.’ (Samkara). Do you agree? Justify your answer. 12.5
   (c) Evaluate Ramanuja’s critique of Samkara’s theory of maya. 12.5
   (d) Give a critical account of the concept of cittavritti in Yoga philosophy. 12.5

Philosophy Optional Question Paper-II (2013)

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) Does corruption have not only a moral dimension but also an economic dimension? 10
   (b) What is the significance of including duties of citizens in the Indian Constitution? 10
   (c) Does the idea of equal respect to all religions provide a consistent and viable state policy? 10
   (d) Does the combination of democracy and socialism lead to a more equitable society? 10
   (e) Is there any impact of caste discrimination on democracy in Indian context? 10
2. (a) What is meant by ‘democracy’? What are the various forms of democratic governments? 15
   (b) Is a democratic government able to represent the interests of minority groups? 15
   (c) Is a democratic government better than a benevolent dictatorship? Give reasons for your answer. 20
3. (a) What do you understand by ‘gender equality’ and why is it important? 20
   (b) Is economic independence essential for equality between men and women? 15
   (c) Why is adequate representation of women in political institutions important in this context? 15
4. (a) Explain and evaluate Aristotle’s conception of justice. 20
   (b) What is meant by justice as fairness’? Explain the basic tenets of Rawls’ theory of justice. 15
   (c) How is Amartya Sen’s approach to justice different from that of Rawls? 15

Section ‘B’: Philosophy of Religion

5. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each: 10×5=50
   (a) Is God indispensable for religion? 10
   (b) Is religious morality consistent with individual freedom? 10
   (c) Is there anything else other than human efforts which may be conducive to attainment of liberation? 10
   (d) Do theists succeed in explaining the natural evil in the world as a necessary counterpart to good? 10
   (e) Is religious faith opposed to reason? 10
6. (a) State and elucidate the cosmological argument for the existence of God in Western and Indian philosophy. 20
   (b) Discuss two main objections against this argument. Are theists able to answer these satisfactorily? 15
   (c) Critically evaluate three major objections against the argument from design for the existence of God. 15
7. (a) What is the nature of mystical experience? 20
   (b) Is mystical experience open to different interpretations? 15
   (c) Can mystical experience be regarded as a valid source of knowledge? 15
8. (a) What is meant by saying that religious language is non-cognitive? 20
   (b) Can religious language be said to be verifiable? 15
   (c) Do cognitivists provide a cogent answer to the objection based on falsifiability? 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