Philosophy Optional · Paper I · Western Philosophy

Empiricism: Locke, Berkeley, Hume Notes · PYQs

Free notes and every UPSC previous year question for Empiricism: Locke, Berkeley, Hume, Unit 03 of Paper I, Section A: the official syllabus, 9 topic-wise notes in syllabus order, and all 52 questions from 1990 to 2026 grouped by sub-topic.

9

Free notes

52

Questions listed

23

Asked since 2013

1990–2026

Years covered

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Syllabus Free notes Previous year questions All Philosophy units

Official UPSC syllabus

Empiricism: Locke, Berkeley, Hume: syllabus

The syllabus text for this unit in Paper I, Section A (Western Philosophy) of Philosophy Optional. Every note and question on this page maps to it.

Theory of Knowledge; Substance and Qualities; Self and God; Scepticism.

Free practice

Previous year questions: Empiricism: Locke, Berkeley, Hume

All 52 questions UPSC has set from this unit between 1990 and 2026, grouped by sub-topic with the most-asked first, newest first within each. Questions from 2013 onwards are shown; earlier ones open on a tap.

How often UPSC asks each sub-topic

Sub-topicQuestionsSince 2013Last asked
Berkeley · Idealism1042024
Hume · Causation862025
Empiricism · General712016
Locke · Knowledge522026
Hume · Scepticism512017
Hume · Self422020
Hume · Knowledge322026
Locke · Qualities322017
Locke · Substance212013
Hume · Induction202004
Berkeley · Abstract Ideas112025
Locke · Personal Identity112021
Leibniz and Hume102009

Berkeley · Idealism

10 questions · 4 since 2013 · last asked 2024

Asked since 2013 · 4

  • 2024Is rejection of Locke’s notion of primary qualities instrumental in Berkeley’s leaning towards idealism? In this context, also discuss how Berkeley’s subjective idealism is different from the absolute idealism proposed by Hegel. (20 marks)
  • 2021“Sensible things are those only which are immediately perceived by sense.” Explain Berkeley’s theory of knowledge with reference to the above statement. (10 marks)
  • 2018How does Berkeley establish that Mind and its ideas alone are real? How do Moore and Russell react to Berkeley’s view in this regard? Do you find any difference between Moore’s reaction and Russell’s one? Discuss. (20 marks)
  • 2015esse est percipi. (10 marks)
Show 6 earlier questions (before 2013)

1995–2012 · 6 questions

  • 2012If ‘to be is to be perceived’ then how does Berkeley explain the permanence of things? (15 marks)
  • 2010What metaphysical implications can be derived from Berkeley’s statement “Esse Est Percipi (30 marks)
  • 2009To be is to be perceived”. Discuss (20 marks)
  • 2003To be is to be perceived (20 marks)
  • 2000Esse est percipi.” (20 marks)
  • 1995To be is to be Perceived.” Elaborate the import of this statement. Does it lead to subjective idealism? Support your answer with argument (60 marks)

Hume · Causation

8 questions · 6 since 2013 · last asked 2025

Asked since 2013 · 6

  • 2025Examine Hume’s refutation of Causal relation and Kant’s response to it. (15 marks)
  • 2023Critically analyse Hume’s argument that causality is a matter of habit/custom involving psychological principle of association. (20 marks)
  • 2021“The relation between cause and effect is one of constant conjunction”. Examine Hume’s “criticism of causation in the light of the above statement. (10 marks)
  • 2019Is there any element of necessity in causal relations according to Hume? Discuss. (15 marks)
  • 2016Critically examine Hume’s views on the relation of cause and effect. (15 marks)
  • 2014Evaluate critically Hume’s criticism of theory of causation. (15 marks)
Show 2 earlier questions (before 2013)

1993–1999 · 2 questions

  • 1999Explain and examine Hume’s theory of causality. (60 marks)
  • 1993Hume’s doctrine of causality (20 marks)

Empiricism · General

7 questions · 1 since 2013 · last asked 2016

Asked since 2013 · 1

  • 2016Discuss the various stances on God taken by Rationalists and Empiricists. (15 marks)
Show 6 earlier questions (before 2013)

1990–2011 · 6 questions

  • 2011What, according to Empiricists is the concept of Substance? Discuss (20 marks)
  • 1996Distinction between solipsism and scepticism (20 marks)
  • 1994Explain and examine Empiricist theory of Knowledge (60 marks)
  • 1991‘Empiricism eluminates into scepticism.’ Explain and examine the statement (60 marks)
  • 1990No empirical proposition is ever certain. Comment (60 marks)
  • 1990Discuss Empiricism in respect of attainment and ascertainment of Knowledge (60 marks)

Locke · Knowledge

5 questions · 2 since 2013 · last asked 2026

Asked since 2013 · 2

  • 2026Explain the distinction between Intuitive knowledge and Demonstrative knowledge as propounded by Locke. (10 marks)
  • 2022Why and how does John Locke refute the innate ideas? Elucidate the nature and source of knowledge in Locke’s epistemology. (15 marks)
Show 3 earlier questions (before 2013)

1998–2012 · 3 questions

  • 2012John Locke said that ‘ No man’s knowledge can go beyond his experience’. Discuss critically the implications of this statement (12 marks)
  • 2006Explain the theory of knowledge according to Locke (20 marks)
  • 1998Discuss Locke’s criticism of theory of innate ideas and trace out the development of empiricism in the western philosophy after Locke (60 marks)

Hume · Scepticism

5 questions · 1 since 2013 · last asked 2017

Asked since 2013 · 1

  • 2017Show how Hume’s analysis of experience leaves no ground for belief in any permanent reality either physical or mental. (10 marks)
Show 4 earlier questions (before 2013)

2002–2012 · 4 questions

  • 2012Was Hume skeptic? If not then what is his contribution to philosophy? (15 marks)
  • 2010Does Hume deny the possibility of knowledge? Discuss (15 marks)
  • 2006Discuss Hume’s Scepticism (60 marks)
  • 2002Hume’s Phenomenalism (20 marks)

Hume · Self

4 questions · 2 since 2013 · last asked 2020

Asked since 2013 · 2

  • 2020“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 marks)
  • 2013Give a critical account of Hume’s theory of the Self. (12.5 marks)
Show 2 earlier questions (before 2013)

1999–2000 · 2 questions

  • 2000Examine Hume’s view of personal identity. (60 marks)
  • 1999Evaluate Hume’s theory of personal identity (60 marks)

Hume · Knowledge

3 questions · 2 since 2013 · last asked 2026

Asked since 2013 · 2

  • 2026How does Hume account for ideas of reason? How does Kant respond to Hume’s views in this regard? Critically discuss. (15 marks)
  • 2018Are the two truths-“The Sun will rise tomorrow” and ‘2+2-4′ of the same necessity for Hume? Give reasons in favour of your answer. (10 marks)
Show 1 earlier question (before 2013)

2008 · 1 question

  • 2008Hume and Kant on metaphysics (20 marks)

Locke · Qualities

3 questions · 2 since 2013 · last asked 2017

Asked since 2013 · 2

  • 2017How 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 marks)
  • 2016What is the logical necessity for Locke to introduce the concept of secondary qualities? Give reasons for your answer. (10 marks)
Show 1 earlier question (before 2013)

2012 · 1 question

  • 2012Critically examine John Locke’s categorization of primary and secondary qualities and explain the problem it posed for later empiricist (15 marks)

Locke · Substance

2 questions · 1 since 2013 · last asked 2013

Asked since 2013 · 1

  • 2013Examine John Locke’s theory of substance. (12.5 marks)
Show 1 earlier question (before 2013)

2007 · 1 question

  • 2007State and discuss Locke’s views on Substance (60 marks)

Hume · Induction

2 questions · 0 since 2013 · last asked 2004

1995–2004 · 2 questions

  • 2004Hume’s views on Induction (20 marks)
  • 1995Hume’s arguments against induction (20 marks)

Berkeley · Abstract Ideas

1 question · 1 since 2013 · last asked 2025

Asked since 2013 · 1

  • 2025Explain Berkeley’s doctrine of nominalism and his refutation of Abstract ideas. (15 marks)

Locke · Personal Identity

1 question · 1 since 2013 · last asked 2021

Asked since 2013 · 1

  • 2021Examine the concept of personal identity by Locke. (10 marks)

Leibniz and Hume

1 question · 0 since 2013 · last asked 2009

2009 · 1 question

  • 2009Compare the view of Leibnitz and Hume on the concept of substance (30 marks)

Year-wise question papers

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Next · Paper I · Unit 04

Immanuel Kant

Possibility of Synthetic a priori Judgments; Space and Time; Categories; Ideas of Reason; Antinomies; Critique of Proofs for the Existence of God.

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