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Solved 2023: FYUG Odd Semester Exam, 2023 (Held in 2024)<br>PHILOSOPHY: PHIDSM-101T<br>Epistemology and Metaphysics (Indian)

Paper Code: PHIDSM-101T Full Marks: 70 Time: 3 Hours

SECTION-A: Short Answer Questions

Answer any ten questions, selecting two from each Unit. (10 x 2 = 20 Marks)

UNIT-I

2 Marks

Q1. Write the name of two schools of Indian philosophy which are directly based on Vedic texts.

The two schools directly based on the Vedic texts are

:
  • Mimamsa (or Purva-Mimamsa)
  • Vedanta (or Uttara-Mimamsa)
    • 2 Marks

    Q2. What is Sad-darsana? Write the name of Sad-darsanas.

    Sad-darsana refers to the six orthodox (Astika) systems of Indian philosophy that recognize the authority of the Vedas

    . The names are:
  • Nyaya
  • Vaisesika
  • Samkhya
  • Yoga
  • Mimamsa
  • Vedanta
    • 2 Marks

    Q3. What is the meaning of the term 'Rta'? On which sacred scripture do we find the term 'Rta'?

    Meaning: 'Rta' refers to the cosmic, moral, and physical order that governs the universe

    .
    Scripture: It is primarily found in the Rg Veda.

    UNIT-II

    2 Marks

    Q4. What, according to Carvakas, are the elements of which the material objects of the world are composed?

    The Carvaka school believes material objects are composed of four elements

    :
  • Ksit (Earth)
  • Ap (Water)
  • Tejas (Fire)
  • Marut (Air)
    • 2 Marks

    Q5. Why do the Carvakas not believe in the existence of heaven, hell, God and other metaphysical entities?

    Carvakas reject these entities because they cannot be perceived

    . Since perception is the only valid source of knowledge for them, anything that is not perceivable (like God or heaven) is considered non-existent.
    2 Marks

    Q6. Write the name of two sects of Jainism.

    The two primary sects of Jainism are

    :
  • Digambara
  • Svetambara

    • UNIT-III

    2 Marks

    Q7. How many Noble Truths are there in Buddhism? Which Noble Truth is related to the Eight-fold Path?

    There are four Noble Truths (Catvari Arya Satyani)

    . The Fourth Noble Truth (Dukkha-Nirodha-Gamini-Pratipada), which concerns the path to end suffering, is related to the Eight-fold Path.
    2 Marks

    Q8. What, according to Buddhism, is the root cause of Sufferings? Does Buddha believe in the existence of a Permanent Self?

    Root Cause: Avidya (Ignorance) is the root cause of suffering

    .
    Permanent Self: No, Buddha does not believe in a permanent self; he taught the doctrine of Anatta (No-Self).
    2 Marks

    Q9. Write the name of the four primary schools of Buddhism.

    The four schools are

    :
  • Vaibhasika
  • Sautrantika
  • Yogacara (Vijnanavada)
  • Madhyamika (Sunyavada)

    • UNIT-IV

    2 Marks

    Q10. What are the sources of valid knowledge recognised by the Naiyayikas?

    Nyaya recognizes four sources of valid knowledge (Pramanas)

    :
  • Pratyaksa (Perception)
  • Anumana (Inference)
  • Upamana (Comparison)
  • Sabda (Testimony)
    • 2 Marks

    Q11. Write the name of the five Members or Avayavas in Parartha Anumana of Nyaya system.

    The five members are

    :
  • Pratijna (Proposition)
  • Hetu (Reason)
  • Udaharana (Example)
  • Upanaya (Application)
  • Nigamana (Conclusion)
    • 2 Marks

    Q12. How does Vaisesika define Samavaya?

    Samavaya is defined as an inseparable, eternal relation between two things where one exists residing in the other (e.g., the relation between a whole and its parts)

    .

    UNIT-V

    2 Marks

    Q13. What are the two copresent, coeternal realities of the Samkhya system?

    The two realities are

    :
  • Purusa (Pure Consciousness)
  • Prakrti (Primal Matter)
    • 2 Marks

    Q14. Write the name of the Pramanas recognized by the Advaita Vedanta system.

    Advaita Vedanta recognizes six Pramanas

    :
  • Pratyaksa, Anumana, Sabda, Upamana, Arthapatti (Postulation), and Anupalabdhi (Non-apprehension).
    • 2 Marks

    Q15. What, according to Samkara, are the two functions of Maya?

    The two functions of Maya are

    :
  • Avarana Sakti: The power to conceal the true nature of Brahman.
  • Viksepa Sakti: The power to project the phenomenal world.

    • SECTION-B: Long Answer Questions

    Answer five questions, selecting one from each Unit. (5 x 10 = 50 Marks)

    UNIT-I

    10 Marks

    Q16. What are the common characteristics of Indian philosophy? Explain.

    Indian philosophy, despite its diversity, shares several common characteristics

    :
  • Spiritual Orientation: Aimed at Moksha or liberation from suffering.
  • Law of Karma: Belief that every action has a consequence.
  • Cycle of Rebirth (Samsara): Belief in the transmigration of the soul.
  • Practical Necessity: Philosophy is seen as a way of life, not just an intellectual pursuit.
  • Ignorance as the Root of Suffering: Avidya is identified as the cause of bondage.

    • UNIT-II

    10 Marks

    Q18. Explain the metaphysics of the Carvaka system.

    The Carvaka metaphysics is strictly Materialistic

    : [span_60](start_span)
  • Four Elements: Only Earth, Water, Fire, and Air are real because they are perceivable[span_60](end_span).
  • Consciousness: It is a byproduct of matter, appearing when elements combine in a specific way, just as red color appears when betel leaf and lime are chewed together.
  • Rejection of Soul: There is no soul independent of the body.
    • [span_64](start_span)
  • Rejection of God: Since God is unperceivable, the world is created by the spontaneous combination of elements (Svabhavavada)[span_64](end_span).

    • UNIT-III

    10 Marks

    Q21. Explain Bauddha theory of Pratityasamutpada-vada or Dependent Origination.

    Pratityasamutpada is the central pillar of Buddhism

    . It means that everything arises in dependence on causes and conditions.
    "That being, this arises; on the cessation of that, this ceases."

    It is explained through the Twelve Links (Nidanas)

    :
  • The chain begins with Avidya (Ignorance) and leads through stages like Samskara, Vijnana, and Trsna, ending in Jara-marana (Old age and Death).
  • It proves that nothing is permanent or self-existent.

    • UNIT-IV

    2+8=10 Marks

    Q23. How does Vaisesika define 'category' or Padartha? Explain the category of Visesa.

    Padartha: Literally means "the meaning of a word." It refers to all things that can be named, known, and exist.

    Visesa (Particularity):
  • It is the category that accounts for the ultimate difference between eternal substances (like individual atoms of Earth).
  • It is what makes one atom unique from another atom of the same type.
  • Since this school emphasizes Visesa, it is named Vaisesika.

    • UNIT-V

    10 Marks

    Q25. What, according to Samkara, is the relation between Brahman and Jiva? Explain Samkara's concept of Brahman.

    Concept of Brahman: Brahman is the ultimate, non-dual reality (Advaita)

    . It is Nirguna (without attributes) and is described as Sat-Cit-Ananda (Existence-Consciousness-Bliss).

    Relation (Jiva-Brahman):
    "Brahma Satyam Jagan Mithya, Jivo Brahmaiva Naparah" (Brahman is real, the world is an illusion, and the Jiva is none other than Brahman).
    [span_80](start_span)
  • The Jiva appears separate from Brahman only due to Avidya (Ignorance)[span_80](end_span).
  • Once ignorance is removed through knowledge (Jnana), the Jiva realizes its identity with Brahman.

    • Exam Success Strategy

    Key Terms to Remember

    • Pramana: Valid source of knowledge.
    • Pratyaksa: Perception.
    • Avidya: Ignorance (the common cause of bondage).

    Common Mistakes

    • Confusing the "Orthodox" (Vedic) schools with "Heterodox" (Jain, Buddhist, Carvaka).
    • Forgetting to mention the 12 links when explaining Pratityasamutpada.

    Presentation Strategy

    Use Sanskrit terminology alongside English translations. For 10-mark questions, always start with a clear definition and end with a summary of the school's impact.

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