All 8 questions from UPSC Civil Services Mains Philosophy 2021 Paper I (400 marks total). Every stem reproduced in full, with directive-word analysis, marks, word limits, and answer-approach pointers.
8Questions
400Total marks
2021Year
Paper IPaper
Topics covered
Western epistemology and metaphysics (1)German idealism and logical positivism (1)Analytic philosophy and ordinary language (1)Continental philosophy and phenomenology (1)Indian epistemology and metaphysics (1)Yoga, Samkhya and Mimamsa philosophy (1)Advaita, Buddhism and Jain philosophy (1)Vedanta schools and modern Indian philosophy (1)
A
Q1
50M150wCompulsoryexamineWestern epistemology and metaphysics
Write short answers to the following in about 150 words each:
(a) "There is a red chair." How would Plato explain this statement with the use of his theory of forms ? Examine. (10 marks)
(b) "Potentiality is indefinable" according to Aristotle. Explain the relationship between potentiality and actuality with reference to the above philosophical position by taking the example of a "wooden table". (10 marks)
(c) "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)
(d) Examine the concept of personal identity by Locke. (10 marks)
(e) "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)
हिंदी में पढ़ें
निम्नलिखित में से प्रत्येक का लगभग 150 शब्दों में संक्षिप्त उत्तर दीजिए :
(a) "वहाँ एक लाल कुर्सी है ।" प्लेटो अपने आकार-सिद्धांत का प्रयोग करते हुए इस वाक्य की किस प्रकार व्याख्या करेंगे ? परीक्षण कीजिए । (10 अंक)
(b) अरस्तु के अनुसार "शक्यता अपरिभाष्य है" । उपरोक्त दार्शनिक मत के संदर्भ में लकड़ी की मेज का उदाहरण प्रयोग करते हुए शक्यता तथा वास्तविकता के मध्य संबंध की व्याख्या कीजिए । (10 अंक)
(c) "सैंवध वस्तुएँ केवल वे होती हैं जिन्हें अव्यवहित अथवा अपरोक्ष रूप से इन्द्रियों द्वारा प्रत्यक्ष किया जा सके ।" उपरोक्त वाक्य के संदर्भ में बर्कले की ज्ञानमीमांसा की व्याख्या कीजिए । (10 अंक)
(d) लॉक की व्यक्तित्व तादात्म्य की अवधारणा का परीक्षण कीजिए । (10 अंक)
(e) "कारण तथा कार्य के मध्य नित्य संयोजन का संबंध होता है ।" उपरोक्त कथन के आलोक में ह्यूम की कारणता की आलोचना का परीक्षण कीजिए । (10 अंक)
Answer approach & key points
Framework: State the position > Argument > Strongest objection > Evaluation. (a) examine: intro > how/why with reasoning > evidence > conclusion | (b) explain: definition/context > points in order > small example > short close | (c) explain: definition/context > points in order > small example > short close | (d) examine: intro > how/why with reasoning > evidence > conclusion | (e) examine: intro > how/why with reasoning > evidence > conclusion Full marks: Precise use of technical vocabulary, clear reconstruction of arguments, strong counter-arguments, and accurate application of examples.
Participation or imitation of the Forms of Chair and Red by the particular
Forms as eternal, unchanging and intelligible, with the sensible world as becoming
Knowledge versus opinion, and recollection
Potentiality and actuality as basic notions grasped by analogy rather than defined
Wood as matter or potential table and the table as form actualised
Four causes and change as passage from potentiality to actuality
Sensible things as ideas immediately perceived
Esse est percipi and rejection of material substance and the primary–secondary distinction
God as cause of ideas of sense and the existence of objects when unperceived
Distinction of substance, man and person
Identity of person as sameness of consciousness and memory
Person as forensic term of responsibility
Contiguity, priority and constant conjunction with no impression of necessary connection
Causal inference rests on habit or custom and not on reason
(a) Discuss Hegel's Dialectical method. Explain how his dialectical method leads him to the Absolute Idealism. (20 marks)
(b) What according to Logical Positivists are "pseudostatements"? How does one identify "pseudostatements"? Critically discuss with examples. (15 marks)
(c) Explain how Cartesian formulation of ontological argument is criticised by Kant. (15 marks)
हिंदी में पढ़ें
(a) हेगल की द्वंद्वात्मक विधि की विवेचना कीजिए । उनकी द्वंद्वात्मक विधि किस प्रकार उन्हें निरपेक्ष प्रत्ययवाद की ओर ले जाती है, इसकी व्याख्या कीजिए । (20 अंक)
(b) तार्किक प्रत्यक्षवादियों के अनुसार "छद्मवाक्य" (सुडोस्टेटमेंट्स) क्या होते हैं ? "छद्मवाक्यों" की पहचान किस प्रकार की जा सकती है ? उदाहरणों सहित आलोचनात्मक विवेचना कीजिए । (15 अंक)
(c) कांट किस प्रकार देकार्त द्वारा सृजनबद्ध सत्तामूलक युक्ति की आलोचना प्रस्तुत करते हैं, इसकी व्याख्या कीजिए । (15 अंक)
Answer approach & key points
Framework: UPSC Philosophy Paper 1. (a) discuss: intro > 3-4 dimensions > example > balanced close | (b) critique: the claim > its strengths > its weaknesses > your judgment | (c) explain: definition/context > points in order > small example > short close Full marks: Precise reconstruction of arguments with technical vocabulary and strong critical evaluation.
Thesis, antithesis and synthesis (Aufhebung), with Being-Nothing-Becoming
Dialectic is the self-movement of concepts, so logic is ontology
Identity of rational and actual leads through Subjective, Objective and Absolute Spirit to the Absolute as the whole
Pseudostatement is meaningless in form, unlike a false statement
Verification principle: analytic or empirically verifiable
Critique: principle is self-undermining
Descartes: existence is a perfection belonging to God's essence
Kant: existence is not a real predicate (hundred thalers)
Existential propositions are synthetic; logical possibility is not real possibility
50Mcritically examineAnalytic philosophy and ordinary language
(a) What are the main arguments put forward by Moore in his paper "A Defence of Common Sense" to prove that there are possible propositions about the world that are known to be true with certainty? Do you think Moore's arguments provide a sufficient response to objections presented by the sceptic against the possibility of knowledge? Give reasons in support of your answer. (20 marks)
(b) What according to Strawson are basic particulars ? What reasons does Strawson offer to believe that 'material bodies' and 'persons' are basic particulars ? Critically discuss. (15 marks)
(c) Critically examine Quine's postulate of empiricism without the dogmas with reference to his 'Two Dogmas of Empiricism'. (15 marks)
हिंदी में पढ़ें
(a) मूर अपने प्रपत्र "ए डिफेंस ऑफ कॉमन सेंस" में यह सिद्ध करने के लिए क्या युक्ति प्रस्तुत करते हैं कि इस संसार के विषय में ऐसी प्रतिज्ञाएँ संभव हैं जिन्हें निश्चितता के साथ सत्य जाना जा सकता है ? क्या आप सोचते हैं कि मूर द्वारा दी गई युक्तियाँ संशयवादी द्वारा ज्ञान की संभावना के विरोध में प्रस्तुत आक्षेपों का पर्याप्त प्रत्युत्तर देती हैं ? अपने उत्तर के पक्ष में युक्तियाँ प्रस्तुत कीजिए । (20 अंक)
(b) स्ट्रॉसन के अनुसार आधारभूत विशेष क्या होते हैं ? स्ट्रॉसन यह मानने के लिए क्या युक्तियाँ प्रस्तुत करते हैं कि 'पदार्थीय शरीर' तथा 'व्यक्ति' आधारभूत विशेष होते हैं ? समालोचनात्मक विवेचना प्रस्तुत कीजिए । (15 अंक)
(c) "टू डॉगमास ऑफ एम्पीरिसिस्म" के संदर्भ में क्वाइन की मताग्रह रहित अनुभववाद की संकल्पना का आलोचनात्मक परीक्षण कीजिए । (15 अंक)
Answer approach & key points
Framework: UPSC Philosophy Paper 1. (a) critique: the claim > its strengths > its weaknesses > your judgment | (b) critique: the claim > its strengths > its weaknesses > your judgment | (c) critique: the claim > its strengths > its weaknesses > your judgment Full marks: Precise reconstruction of arguments, strong counter-arguments, and clear evaluation.
Truisms known with certainty, more certain than any sceptical premise
Denial of the truisms is self-defeating; knowing meaning without knowing analysis
Evaluation: works as burden-shifting but begs the question against the sceptic
Basic particular: identification of other particulars depends on it
Bodies: public, enduring, framework for re-identification; no-sound-space argument
Persons: primitive concept with M- and P-predicates
Rejection of the analytic-synthetic distinction as circular
Rejection of reductionism; holism and the web of belief
50Mcritically examineContinental philosophy and phenomenology
(a) Present a critical exposition of Husserl's criticism of 'natural attitude'. How does Husserl propose to address the problems involved in natural attitude through his phenomenological method ? (20 marks)
(b) "I can always choose, but I ought to know that if I do not choose, I am still choosing". Critically discuss Sartre's conception of choice and responsibility in the light of above statement. (15 marks)
(c) What does Wittgenstein mean by the statement – "Whereof one cannot speak, thereof one must be silent ?" Critically discuss. (15 marks)
हिंदी में पढ़ें
(a) हुसर्ल की 'प्राकृतिक अभिवृत्ति' की आलोचना का समालोचनात्मक विवरण प्रस्तुत कीजिए । हुसर्ल प्राकृतिक अभिवृत्ति से जुड़ी समस्याओं का अपनी संकुटिशास्त्रीय पद्धति से किस प्रकार निवारण प्रस्तावित करते हैं ? (20 अंक)
(b) "मैं सदैव चुनाव करने में सक्षम होता हूँ, किन्तु मुझे यह जान लेना चाहिए कि यदि मैं नहीं चुन रहा होता हूँ, तब भी मैं चुनाव कर रहा होता हूँ ।" इस कथन के आलोक में सार्त्र की चुनाव तथा उत्तरदायित्व सम्बन्धी अवधारणा की समालोचनात्मक विवेचना कीजिए । (15 अंक)
(c) "जिस संदर्भ में कुछ कहा नहीं जा सकता, उसके विषय में मौन ही रहना चाहिए ।" – विट्टगेन्स्टाइन के इस कथन से क्या अभिप्राय है ? समालोचनात्मक विवेचना प्रस्तुत कीजिए । (15 अंक)
Answer approach & key points
Framework: State the position > Argument > Strongest objection > Evaluation. (a) critique: the claim > its strengths > its weaknesses > your judgment | (b) critique: the claim > its strengths > its weaknesses > your judgment | (c) critique: the claim > its strengths > its weaknesses > your judgment Full marks: Precise technical vocabulary, strong counter-arguments, and clear evaluation of limits.
Natural attitude: world taken as simply existing; the general thesis
Criticisms: unreflective, blind to constituting consciousness, naturalism and psychologism
Remedy: epoché, phenomenological and eidetic reductions, intentionality
Existence precedes essence; condemned to be free; not choosing is choosing
Responsibility for oneself and for all humanity
Bad faith as flight from freedom
Proposition 7; picture theory limits the sayable to facts of natural science
Ethics, aesthetics, God and logical form can only be shown (the mystical)
50M150wCompulsorydiscussIndian epistemology and metaphysics
Write short answers to the following in about 150 words each:
(a) Does the seed contain the tree ? Discuss with reference to Nyāya-Vaiśeṣika Philosophy. (10 marks)
(b) Explain with reference to Nyāya Philosophy, the nature of śabda as the advice of āpta (a reliable person). (10 marks)
(c) Is 'inseparability' (ayuta-siddhatva) a necessary condition or a sufficient condition for defining characteristics (lakṣaṇa) of samavāya (inherence) ? Explain with reference to Vaiśeṣika Philosophy. (10 marks)
(d) Distinguish between pudgala-nairātmyavāda and dharma-nairātmyavāda with reference to Buddhist Philosophy. (10 marks)
(e) Comment on the bearing of Cārvāka epistemology on the rejection of transcendental entities by them. (10 marks)
हिंदी में पढ़ें
निम्नलिखित में से प्रत्येक का लगभग 150 शब्दों में संक्षिप्त उत्तर दीजिये :
(a) क्या बीज में वृक्ष अन्तर्निहित होता है ? न्याय-वैशेषिक दर्शन के संदर्भ में विवेचना कीजिए । (10 अंक)
(b) न्याय दर्शन के संदर्भ में आप्त पुरुष द्वारा दिए गए परामर्श के रूप में शब्द के स्वरूप की व्याख्या कीजिए । (10 अंक)
(c) समवाय के लक्षण के रूप में अयुत सिद्धत्व एक अनिवार्य उपाधि है अथवा पर्याप्त उपाधि ? वैशेषिक दर्शन के संदर्भ में व्याख्या कीजिए । (10 अंक)
(d) बौद्ध दर्शन के संदर्भ में पुद्गल-नैरात्म्यवाद तथा धर्म-नैरात्म्यवाद के बीच अन्तर स्पष्ट कीजिए । (10 अंक)
(e) चार्वाक की ज्ञान मीमांसा का उनके द्वारा ईन्द्रियातीत वस्तुओं की अस्वीकृति से सम्बन्ध के विषय में टिप्पणी प्रस्तुत कीजिए । (10 अंक)
Answer approach & key points
Framework: UPSC Philosophy Paper 1 (Indian Philosophy). (a) discuss: intro > 3-4 dimensions > example > balanced close | (b) explain: definition/context > points in order > small example > short close | (c) explain: definition/context > points in order > small example > short close | (d) compare: paired headings or table > key differences > significance > conclusion | (e) comment: context > arguments both sides > judgment > close Full marks: Precise technical vocabulary, clear argumentation, strong counter-arguments, and balanced evaluation.
No: asatkāryavāda (ārambhavāda); prior absence of effect
Tree is a new whole from its parts; seed is only a cause
Arguments: causal effort would be useless otherwise
Nyāya Sūtra 1.1.7 āptopadeśa; āpta defined
Two kinds: dṛṣṭārtha and adṛṣṭārtha
Conditions: ākāṅkṣā, yogyatā, sannidhi, tātparya
Praśastapāda's definition of samavāya
Ayuta-siddhatva is necessary; contrast with saṃyoga
Not sufficient alone; needs the iha-pratyaya, oneness and eternity
Pudgala-nairātmya: no enduring self in the person; accepted by all schools
Dharma-nairātmya: no svabhāva in dharmas themselves; Mahāyāna
Kleśāvaraṇa versus jñeyāvaraṇa; arhatship versus Buddhahood
Only pratyakṣa is a pramāṇa
Inference rejected: vyāpti cannot be established
Hence rejection of soul, God, rebirth, karma; consciousness from elements
(a) Explain with reference to Yoga Philosophy, the nature of kleśas. How does the removal of these lead to kaivalya ? (20 marks)
(b) Explain the Sāṅkhya view on three gunas (guna-traya) and their modifications. (15 marks)
(c) What, according to Mīmāṃsakas, is the ontological status of abhāva (absence) and how does one know it ? Explain and examine. (15 marks)
हिंदी में पढ़ें
(a) योग दर्शन के अनुसार क्लेशों के स्वरूप की व्याख्या कीजिए । उनके निराकरण से किस प्रकार कैवल्य उपलब्ध होता है ? (20 अंक)
(b) तीन गुण (गुण-त्रय) तथा उनके रूपान्तरण के विषय में सांख्य-दर्शन के मत की व्याख्या कीजिए । (15 अंक)
(c) मीमांसकों के अनुसार अभाव का सत्तामूलक स्वरूप क्या है तथा किसी व्यक्ति को उसका ज्ञान किस प्रकार होता है ? व्याख्या तथा परीक्षण कीजिए । (15 अंक)
Answer approach & key points
Framework: Indian Philosophy (Paper I). (a) explain: definition/context > points in order > small example > short close | (b) explain: definition/context > points in order > small example > short close | (c) examine: intro > how/why with reasoning > evidence > conclusion Full marks: Precise technical vocabulary, clear argument, strong counter-argument, exact Sanskrit terms.
Five kleśas: avidyā, asmitā, rāga, dveṣa, abhiniveśa, with avidyā as the field and four states
50Mcritically discussAdvaita, Buddhism and Jain philosophy
(a) How do the advocates of anirvacanīya-khyāti refute the position of the Naiyāyikas and establish the position of Advaitins regarding the problem of error ? Critically discuss. (20 marks)
(b) If everything is momentary then how do the Buddhists explain the problem of memory and personal identity ? Critically discuss. (15 marks)
(c) Explain the Jain view of seven-fold (sapta-bhaṅgī) 'Naya'. (15 marks)
हिंदी में पढ़ें
(a) विपर्यय के सम्बन्ध में अनिर्वचनीय-ख्याति के समर्थक अद्वैत मत की स्थापना हेतु न्याय मत का किस प्रकार खण्डन करते हैं ? समीक्षात्मक विवेचना कीजिए । (20 अंक)
(b) यदि सभी वस्तुएं क्षणिक हैं तो बौद्ध स्मृति तथा वैयक्तिक तादात्म्य की समस्या की किस प्रकार व्याख्या करेंगे ? समालोचनात्मक विवेचना कीजिए । (15 अंक)
(c) जैनों की सप्तभंगी नय की अवधारणा की व्याख्या कीजिए । (15 अंक)
Answer approach & key points
Framework: State the position > Argument > Strongest objection > Evaluation. (a) discuss: intro > 3-4 dimensions > example > balanced close | (b) discuss: intro > 3-4 dimensions > example > balanced close | (c) explain: definition/context > points in order > small example > short close Full marks: Precise technical vocabulary, strong argument reconstruction, clear critical evaluation, balanced close.
Anirvacanīya: neither sat nor asat; produced by avidyā (āvaraṇa and vikṣepa); prātibhāsika
Refutation of anyathā-khyāti: distant silver cannot be perceived here; sublation is 'this is not silver'; behaviour
Evaluation: Rāmānuja's sat-khyāti; excluded-middle objection and reply
Santāna: causal continuity of five aggregates, not a permanent self
Saṃskāra or vāsanā carry memory; Nāgasena's flame illustration
Critique: Nyāya recognition argument and responsibility objection
Naya as a partial standpoint within anekāntavāda
The seven nayas named and described
Sapta-bhaṅgī seven forms of syād predication and its relation to naya
50Mcritically examineVedanta schools and modern Indian philosophy
(a) According to Śrī Aurobindo, 'the awakening of the psychic being and its gradual prominence over all other parts of the being is the first step in the conscious evolution of man'. Explain and examine. (20 marks)
(b) Compare and contrast the views of Śaṅkara and Rāmānuja regarding the status of the world. (15 marks)
(c) Explain the status of jīva and jagat in the philosophy of Mādhvācārya. (15 marks)
हिंदी में पढ़ें
(a) श्री अरोबिन्दो के अनुसार 'चैत सत्ता का जागरण तथा सत्ता के अन्य भागों पर उसकी क्रमिक प्रधानता मनुष्य के चेतन क्रम-विकास में पहला कदम है' । व्याख्या तथा परीक्षण कीजिए । (20 अंक)
(b) संसार के स्वरूप के विषय में शंकर तथा रामानुज के मतों की तुलना तथा अन्तर कीजिए । (15 अंक)
(c) माध्वाचार्य के दर्शन में जीव तथा जगत् के स्वरूप की व्याख्या कीजिए । (15 अंक)
Answer approach & key points
Framework: UPSC Philosophy Paper I. (a) examine: intro > how/why with reasoning > evidence > conclusion | (b) compare: paired headings or table > key differences > significance > conclusion | (c) explain: definition/context > points in order > small example > short close Full marks: Precise technical reconstruction with Sanskrit terms and clear distinctions.
Psychic being (caitya puruṣa): divine spark behind the heart, evolving soul
Its awakening and coming forward leads mind, vital and body: psychic transformation
Examination of the claim
Śaṅkara: world mithyā by vivarta through māyā; Brahman nirguṇa
Rāmānuja: world real as pariṇāma; Brahman saguṇa with cit and acit as body
Points of contrast and resemblance
Dvaita: Brahman independent, jīva and jagat real but dependent
Pañca-bheda real and eternal
Jīva atomic, dependent on Viṣṇu; jagat real, God its nimitta cause and prakṛti the material cause