Social Science

Indian Philosophy

4,499 Questions

This segment explores core concepts and major schools of Indian philosophy. It features questions on Vedanta, Nyaya, Vaisheshika, and theories of knowledge and causality. These topics are essential for philosophy optional and general studies papers.

Philosophical schoolsVedanta conceptsTheory of knowledgeCausality and rebirth

Indian Philosophy Questions

Multiple choice

Which of the following is not a type of self according to the Mimamsa school of philosophy?

  1. The individual self

  2. The universal self

  3. The cosmic self

  4. The transcendental self
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The Mimamsa school of philosophy teaches that the self is either the individual self or the universal self. It does not teach that the self is the cosmic self or the transcendental self.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is not a characteristic of the self according to the Vaisheshika school of philosophy?

  1. It is eternal

  2. It is unchanging

  3. It is blissful

  4. It is atomic
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The Vaisheshika school of philosophy teaches that the self is eternal, unchanging, and atomic. However, it does not teach that the self is blissful.

Multiple choice

What is the central concept of Kautilya's economic thought?

  1. Artha

  2. Dharma

  3. Moksha

  4. Karma
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Artha, meaning 'material prosperity' or 'economic well-being', is the central concept of Kautilya's economic thought.

Multiple choice

What is Ahamkara in Samkhya philosophy?

  1. The sense of self or ego

  2. The principle of purity

  3. The principle of darkness

  4. The principle of balance
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Ahamkara is the sense of self or ego in Samkhya philosophy. It is one of the three fundamental principles (gunas) of Samkhya, along with sattva (purity) and tamas (darkness).

Multiple choice

What are the three fundamental principles (gunas) of Samkhya philosophy?

  1. Sattva, Rajas, Tamas

  2. Sattva, Ahamkara, Tamas

  3. Sattva, Prakriti, Purusha

  4. Sattva, Brahman, Atman
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The three fundamental principles (gunas) of Samkhya philosophy are sattva (purity), rajas (activity), and tamas (darkness).

Multiple choice

Which type of Ahamkara is responsible for the sense of self-awareness?

  1. Vaikarika

  2. Taijasa

  3. Bhutatmaka

  4. Sattvika
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Taijasa Ahamkara is responsible for the sense of self-awareness in Samkhya philosophy.

Multiple choice

Which type of Ahamkara is responsible for the sense of individuality?

  1. Vaikarika

  2. Taijasa

  3. Bhutatmaka

  4. Sattvika
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Vaikarika Ahamkara is responsible for the sense of individuality in Samkhya philosophy.

Multiple choice

Which type of Ahamkara is responsible for the sense of attachment to the body and the material world?

  1. Vaikarika

  2. Taijasa

  3. Bhutatmaka

  4. Sattvika
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Bhutatmaka Ahamkara is responsible for the sense of attachment to the body and the material world in Samkhya philosophy.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the process of logical reasoning in Nyaya philosophy?

  1. Anumana

  2. Vyapti

  3. Hetvabhasa

  4. Dharmakirti
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Anumana is the term for the process of logical reasoning in Nyaya philosophy.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the theory of knowledge in Nyaya philosophy?

  1. Pramana

  2. Anumana

  3. Hetvabhasa

  4. Dharmakirti
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Pramana is the term for the theory of knowledge in Nyaya philosophy.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a type of pramana, or source of knowledge, in Nyaya philosophy?

  1. Perception

  2. Inference

  3. Testimony

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Nyaya philosophers recognize three types of pramana, or sources of knowledge: perception, inference, and testimony.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the theory of atomism in Nyaya philosophy?

  1. Vaisesika

  2. Anumana

  3. Hetvabhasa

  4. Dharmakirti
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Vaisesika is the term for the theory of atomism in Nyaya philosophy.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a fundamental category of existence in Nyaya philosophy?

  1. Substance

  2. Quality

  3. Action

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Nyaya philosophers recognize seven fundamental categories of existence: substance, quality, action, generality, particularity, inherence, and non-existence.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the theory of causation in Nyaya philosophy?

  1. Karman

  2. Anumana

  3. Hetvabhasa

  4. Dharmakirti
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Karman is the term for the theory of causation in Nyaya philosophy.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a type of karman, or cause, in Nyaya philosophy?

  1. Efficient cause

  2. Material cause

  3. Instrumental cause

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Nyaya philosophers recognize four types of karman, or causes: efficient cause, material cause, instrumental cause, and non-efficient cause.