philosophy-optional-i 2013

Write short answers to the following in about 150 words each:

(a) Explain and evaluate Strawson's arguments for his conception of the nature of a person. (10 marks, 150 words)

(b) Explain Wittgenstein's arguments against the possibility of private language. (10 marks, 150 words)

(c) Distinguish necessary from empirical propositions. How is a necessary proposition justified? Explain. (10 marks, 150 words)

(d) Discuss how by refuting the different concepts of substances Aristotle establishes his own theory of substance. (10 marks, 150 words)

(e) What is an antinomy? Describe the major antinomies discussed by Kant. (10 marks, 150 words)

Write answers to the following in about 200 words each:

(a) Explain Plato's ontological theory of Forms. Is 'knowledge' one of the Forms? Give reasons. (12.5 marks, 200 words)

(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 marks, 200 words)

(c) Distinguish between atomic and general propositions. Show how they are justified true. (12.5 marks, 200 words)

(d) Write a short critical essay on Spinoza's conception of freedom of the individual. (12.5 marks, 200 words)

Write answers to the following in about 200 words each : (12.5 marks, 200 words)

(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 marks, 200 words)

(b) Comment : ‘Movement is contradiction itself.’ Examine, in this context, Hegel's dialectical method. (12.5 marks, 200 words)

(c) Examine John Locke's theory of substance. (12.5 marks, 200 words)

(d) Examine Sartre's distinction between Being-for-itself and Being-in-itself. (12.5 marks, 200 words)

Write answers to the following in about 200 words each: (12½ x 4 = 50 marks)

(a) Comment : ‘Moore’s defence of common sense essentially is defence of ordinary language.’ (12½ marks)

(b) Analyse Kierkegaard’s concept of choice. Can there be, in his view, correct or incorrect choice ? Discuss. (12½ marks)

(c) Give a critical account of Leibniz’s principle of the identity of indiscernibles. (12½ marks)

(d) Give a critical account of Hume’s theory of the Self. (12½ marks)

Write short answers to the following in about 150 words each :

(a) Analyse the relation between the theory of saptabhanginaya and anekantavada. (10 marks, 150 words)

(b) Explain the Buddhists' position of 'Impermanence' and show how the idea of Impermanence leads to the theory of momentariness of reality. (10 marks, 150 words)

(c) How is the pramanya (validity/truth) of a statement determined? Examine, in this context, the theory of paratah-pramanyavada. (10 marks, 150 words)

(d) Explain the possibility of jivanmukti. Critically compare it with the Yoga account of kaivalya. (10 marks, 150 words)

(e) Explain Sri Aurobindo's conception of cosmic salvation through spiritual evolution of the individual. (10 marks, 150 words)

Write answers to the following in about 200 words each :

(a) Describe the five types of differences (panchavidhabheda). Bring out their philosophical significance for Madhva's theory. (12.5 marks, 200 words)

(b) What is samavāya? What are the grounds for accepting samavāya as a distinct padārtha? Discuss. (12.5 marks, 200 words)

(c) Evaluate the relation, if any, between purusa and prakrti. (12.5 marks, 200 words)

(d) How can Īsvara (God) be distinguished from Brahman (Absolute)? Which of the two concepts are philosophically better? (12.5 marks, 200 words)

Write answers to the following in about 200 words each :

(a) Analyse the Nyaya concept of vyapti and examine its relation to tarka. (12.5 marks, 200 words)

(b) Evaluate Prabhakara Mimamsaka's arguments for accepting sruti as pramāna. (12.5 marks, 200 words)

(c) Examine the Nyaya-Vaisesika arguments for the existence of jivatma (soul). (12.5 marks, 200 words)

(d) Distinguish between Svarupa lakṣaṇa and Tatastha lakṣaṇa of Brahman after Śankara. (12.5 marks, 200 words)

Write answers to the following in about 200 words each :

(a) Comment : 'Accepting sunyavada makes one indifferent to the pursuit of dharma.' Examine, in this context, Nagarjuna's arguments for sunyavada. (12.5 marks, 200 words)

(b) 'Not karma, but knowledge alone leads to moksa.' (Samkara). Do you agree? Justify your answer. (12.5 marks, 200 words)

(c) Evaluate Ramanuja's critique of Samkara's theory of maya. (12.5 marks, 200 words)

(d) Give a critical account of the concept of cittavrtti in Yoga philosophy. (12.5 marks, 200 words)