UPSC Main Philosophy Paper 2- 2013

Section A

Q1. Answer all the five parts below critically in not more than 150 words each: 10×5=50

a) Does corruption have not only a moral dimension but also an economic dimension?

b) What is the significance of including duties of citizens in the Indian Constitution?

c) Does the idea of equal respect to all religions provide a consistent and viable state policy?

d) Does the combination of democracy and socialism lead to a more equitable society?

e) Is there any impact of caste discrimination on democracy in Indian context?

Q2. a) What is meant by ‘democracy’? What are the various forms of democratic governments?

b) Is a democratic government able to represent the interests of minority groups?

c) Is a democratic government better than a benevolent dictatorship? Give reasons for your answer. 15+15+20 (250 words each)

Q3. a) What do you understand by ‘gender equality’ and why is it important?

b) Is economic independence essential for equality between men and women?

c) Why is adequate representation of women in political institutions important in this context? 15+15+20 (250 words each)

Q4. a) Explain and evaluate Aristotle’s conception of justice.

b) What is meant by justice as fairness’? Explain the basic tenets of Rawls’ theory of justice.

c) How is Amartya Sen’s approach to justice different from that of Rawls? 15+15+20 (250 words each)

Section B

Q5. Discuss the following critically in not more than 150 words each :10×5=50

a) Is God indispensable for religion?

b) Is religious morality consistent with individual freedom?

c) Is there anything else other than human efforts which may be conducive to attainment of liberation?

d) Do theists succeed in explaining the natural evil in the world as a necessary counterpart to good?

e) Is religious faith opposed to reason?

Q6. a) State and elucidate the cosmological argument for the existence of God in Western and Indian philosophy.

b) Discuss two main objections against this argument. Are theists able to answer these satisfactorily?

c) Critically evaluate three major objections against the argument from design for the existence of God. 15+15+20 (250 words each)

Q7. a) What is the nature of mystical experience?

b) Is mystical experience open to different interpretations?

c) Can mystical experience be regarded as a valid source of knowledge? 15+15+20 (250 words each)

Q8. a) What is meant by saying that religious language is non-cognitive?

b) Can religious language be said to be verifiable?

c) Do cognitivists provide a cogent answer to the objection based on falsifiability?
15+15+20 (250 words each)