Philosophy Optional Question Paper 2014

The UPSC Philosophy Optional Question Paper 2014 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 (2014)

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) How are the synthetic a priori judgements justifiable according to Kant? Explain. 10
   (b) Bring out the significance of language games’ in Wittgenstein’s use theory of meaning. 10
   (c) Explain the significance of ‘bracketing’ in Husserl phenomenology. 10
   (d) Does Leibniz’s theory of pre-established harmony necessarily lead to determinism ? Discuss. 10
   (e) How far are Quine’s arguments in “Two Dogmas of Empiricism” justified ? Discuss. 10
2. (a) Distinguish between knowledge and belief according to Plato. How is it based on his metaphysics ? Explain. 20
   (b) Explain the doctrine of Cartesian dualism and examine critically arguments in favour of it. 15
   (c) Evaluate critically Hume’s criticism of theory of causation. 15
3. (a) Are empirical statements conclusively verifiable? Discuss the limitations of ‘verification theory of meaning’. 20
   (b) Why does Wittgenstein disagree with Bertrand Russell’s interpretation of atomism in the philosophy of Tractatus? Discuss. 15
   (c) Are G. E. Moore’s arguments in defence of common sense satisfactory ? Give reasons. 15
4. (a) Explain Kierkegaard’s concept of choice. How does the concept of choice in metaethics differ from normative ethics? Explain. 20
   (b) State and evaluate Heidegger’s claim that temporality is the horizon against which the being of any entity is understood. 15
   (c) Explain the significance of Aristotle’s doctrine of form and matter in his theory of causation. 15

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

5. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each: 10×5=50
   (a) “Limits of knowledge and world are determined by my sense perception.” Discuss this claim of Carvakas. 10
   (b) Explain the epistemological differences between Sautrantika and Vaibhashika schools of Buddhism. 10
   (c) Bring out the significance of the concept of adhyasa in Shankara’s philosophy to develop his metaphysics. 10
   (d) Are the arguments given in favour of existence of prakrti adequate in Samkhya philosophy ? Discuss. 10
   (e) Can arthapatti (postulation) be reduced to anumana (inference) ? Discuss it from the Mimamsa point of view. 10
6. (a) How is the theory of causation central to the theories of Reality in classical Indian tradition ? Discuss. 20
   (b) Explain the concept of Karma and discuss its various types according to Jain philosophy. 15
   (c) How is an absence of an object known according to Naiyayikas and Mimamsakas ? Discuss. 15
7. (a) Bring out the philosophical implications of introducing extraordinary (alaukika) perception in Nyaya philosophy. 20
   (b) Explain the nature and levels of samprajnata samadhi. How does each level lead more towards asamprajnata samadhi? 15
   (c) Examine the Samkhya view on liberation that “the self is neither bound nor liberates, nor does it transmigrate”. 15
8. (a) How does the nature of Brahman differ in the philosophy of Shankara, Ramanuja and Madhva? Discuss critically. 20
   (b) How does Nagarjuna explain the concept of Sunyata? 15
   (c) How is Sri Aurobindo’s integral yoga an advancement over Patanjala yoga ? Discuss. 15

Philosophy Optional Question Paper-II (2014)

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) If caste discrimination has continuity and hierarchy, which principle of justice can dissolve this problem? 10
   (b) How does multiculturalism redefine liberal notions like identity, freedom and equality and reformulate its assumptions? 10
   (c) How do we distinguish Liberal humanism and Marxist humanism? 10
   (d) Explain the significance of John Austin’s theory of sovereignty. How does it differ from that of Hobbes? 10
   (e) Can we say that racial supremacy is the main reason for genocide? Give reasons for your answer. 10
2. (a) Which theory of punishment, retributive or restorative, do you recommend and why? 20
   (b) “One is not born a woman, but she becomes a woman.” Critically comment on it. 15
   (c) By eliminating alienation can we bring social progress? Critically analyse. 15
3. (a) Analyse the statement with reasons that “Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely” 20
   (b) What are the basic differences between Gandhi and Ambedkar regarding caste system in India? 15
   (c) Discuss Amartya Sen’s principle of Niti as a critique of Nyaya. 15
4. (a) “All human rights are centred on individual rights.” Discuss. 20
   (b) Explain descriptive and normative perspectives on multiculturalism. 15
   (c) In what sense is democracy a better form of Government than theocracy? 15

Section ‘B’: Philosophy of Religion

5. Answer the following questions in about 150 words each: 10×5=50
   (a) If God is regarded as ‘One’, will it give rise to religious conflicts? 10
   (b) On what grounds, the dichotomy between ‘is’ and ‘ought’ can either be justified or rejected? 10
   (c) What are the arguments given in favour of the immortality of the Soul? 10
   (d) Can pluralist perspective vindicate Absolute Truth? 10
   (e) How do you justify rebirth’ with or without the Soul? 10
6. (a) How far can religious morality incorporate individual freedom? 20
   (b) How do you formulate religious language as non-cognitive? 15
   (c) Can it be self-contradictory to accept the idea’ of God but deny the ‘existence’ of God? 15
7. (a) Is evil reconcilable with the benevolent God? 20
   (b) Discuss cosmological argument for the existence of God, and show its merits and demerits. 15
   (c) Compare and contrast the concept of liberation according to ‘Advaita’ and ‘Vishistadvaita’. 15
8. (a) Elucidate the status of man in the realm between immanence’ and ‘transcendence’. 20
   (b) Can reason be used to justify faith? 15
   (c) Discuss the conflicting nature of religious experiences with special reference to Buddhism and Jainism. 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
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