IAS Main (Written) Exam 2014: Philosophy: Question Paper I

Philosophy is one of the favourite subject among the candidates because the some IAS Toppers suggest that the Philosophy is more maoks fetching with comparotively less preparation.

The General Studies Papers of the IAS Main Exam became more elaborative now and requires more hard work to prepare. In that case Philosophy can become a good counterpart to score more easily.

The Philosophy Question Paper I of IAS Main(written) Exam 2014 is as follows.

                                         PHILOSOPHY

                                            Paper-I

Time allowed: Three Hours                       Maximum Marks: 250

QUESTION PAPER SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS

(Please read each of the following instructions carefully before attempting questions)

There are EIGHT questions divided in TWO Sections and printed both in HINDI and in ENGLISH.

Candidate has to attempt FIVE questions in all.

Question Nos. 1 and 5 are compulsory and out of the remaining, THREE are to be attempted choosing at least ONE question from each Section.

The number of marks carried by a question/part is indicated against it.

Answers must be written in the ' medium authorized in the Admission Certificate must be stated clearly on the cover of this Question-cum-Answer (QCA) Booklet in the space provided. No marks will be given for answers written in medium other than the authorized one.

Word limit in questions, wherever specified, should be adhered to.

Attempts of questions shall be counted in chronological order. Unless struck off, attempt of a question shall be counted even if attempted partly. Any page or portion of the page left blank in the Question-cum-Answer Booklet must be clearly struck off.

                                    SECTION A

Q1. Write short answers to the following in about 150 words each: 10x5=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

Q2. (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

Q3. (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

Q4. (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

Q5. Write short answers to the following in about 150 words each: 10x5=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 Vaibhasika schools of Buddhism. 10

(c) Bring out the significance of the concept of adhyasa in Sankara'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

Q6. (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

Q7. (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

Q8. (a) How does the nature of Brahman differ in the philosophy of Sankara, 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