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 mental state according to the Advaita Vedanta school of Indian philosophy?

  1. Jagrat

  2. Swapna

  3. Sushupti

  4. Turiya

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Turiya is not a type of mental state according to the Advaita Vedanta school of Indian philosophy. Jagrat, Swapna, and Sushupti are the three states of consciousness that are described in the Upanishads. Turiya is the fourth state of consciousness, which is beyond the three states of consciousness.

Multiple choice

What is the term used in Indian philosophy to refer to the faculty of memory?

  1. Smriti

  2. Buddhi

  3. Ahamkara

  4. Chitta

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Smriti is the term used in Indian philosophy to refer to the faculty of memory. It is the faculty that allows us to remember things that we have experienced in the past.

Multiple choice

According to Vaisheshika philosophy, what is the fundamental building block of the universe?

  1. Atoms

  2. Void

  3. Time

  4. Space

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

In Vaisheshika philosophy, atoms are considered to be the fundamental building blocks of the universe, the indivisible and indestructible units from which all objects are composed.

Multiple choice

What are the six categories of existence in Vaisheshika philosophy?

  1. Substance, Quality, Action, Generality, Particularity, and Inherence

  2. Substance, Quality, Action, Time, Space, and Causation

  3. Substance, Quality, Action, Soul, Mind, and Matter

  4. Substance, Quality, Action, Knowledge, Pleasure, and Pain

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The six categories of existence in Vaisheshika philosophy are substance, quality, action, generality, particularity, and inherence. These categories are used to analyze and classify all objects and phenomena in the universe.

Multiple choice

What is the concept of 'dravya' in Vaisheshika philosophy?

  1. Substance

  2. Quality

  3. Action

  4. Generality

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

In Vaisheshika philosophy, 'dravya' refers to substance, which is the fundamental entity that exists independently and serves as the basis for all other categories. Substances are further classified into nine types, including earth, water, fire, air, space, time, direction, soul, and mind.

Multiple choice

What is the concept of 'guna' in Vaisheshika philosophy?

  1. Substance

  2. Quality

  3. Action

  4. Generality

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

In Vaisheshika philosophy, 'guna' refers to quality, which is an attribute or property that inheres in a substance. Qualities are further classified into 24 types, including color, taste, smell, touch, sound, number, size, and weight.

Multiple choice

What is the concept of 'karma' in Vaisheshika philosophy?

  1. Substance

  2. Quality

  3. Action

  4. Generality

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

In Vaisheshika philosophy, 'karma' refers to action, which is any activity or movement that produces an effect. Actions are further classified into three types: physical, verbal, and mental.

Multiple choice

What is the concept of 'samanya' in Vaisheshika philosophy?

  1. Substance

  2. Quality

  3. Action

  4. Generality

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

In Vaisheshika philosophy, 'samanya' refers to generality, which is a common characteristic or property shared by multiple substances or objects. Generalities are further classified into five types, including genus, species, quality, action, and relation.

Multiple choice

What is the concept of 'vishesha' in Vaisheshika philosophy?

  1. Substance

  2. Quality

  3. Action

  4. Particularity

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

In Vaisheshika philosophy, 'vishesha' refers to particularity, which is the unique characteristic or property that distinguishes one substance or object from another. Particularities are further classified into two types: absolute and relative.

Multiple choice

What is the concept of 'samavaya' in Vaisheshika philosophy?

  1. Substance

  2. Quality

  3. Action

  4. Inherence

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

In Vaisheshika philosophy, 'samavaya' refers to inherence, which is the relationship between a substance and its qualities or actions. Inherence is considered to be a fundamental relation that holds the universe together.

Multiple choice

What is the concept of 'karyakarana' in Vaisheshika philosophy?

  1. Cause and Effect

  2. Substance and Quality

  3. Action and Generality

  4. Particularity and Inherence

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

In Vaisheshika philosophy, 'karyakarana' refers to cause and effect, which is the relationship between a cause and its effect. Causes are further classified into four types: efficient, material, instrumental, and non-efficient.

Multiple choice

What is the concept of 'anumana' in Vaisheshika philosophy?

  1. Inference

  2. Perception

  3. Testimony

  4. Comparison

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

In Vaisheshika philosophy, 'anumana' refers to inference, which is a method of acquiring knowledge through logical reasoning. Inference is further classified into three types: deductive, inductive, and analogical.

Multiple choice

What is the concept of 'abhava' in Vaisheshika philosophy?

  1. Existence

  2. Non-Existence

  3. Substance

  4. Quality

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

In Vaisheshika philosophy, 'abhava' refers to non-existence, which is the absence or negation of something. Non-existence is further classified into two types: absolute and relative.

Multiple choice

What is the concept of 'dravya-guna-karma-samanya-vishesha-samavaya' in Vaisheshika philosophy?

  1. The six categories of existence

  2. The four types of causes

  3. The three types of inference

  4. The two types of non-existence

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

In Vaisheshika philosophy, 'dravya-guna-karma-samanya-vishesha-samavaya' refers to the six categories of existence: substance, quality, action, generality, particularity, and inherence.

Multiple choice

What is the concept of 'nitya-anitya' in Vaisheshika philosophy?

  1. Eternal and Non-Eternal

  2. Substance and Quality

  3. Action and Generality

  4. Particularity and Inherence

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

In Vaisheshika philosophy, 'nitya-anitya' refers to eternal and non-eternal, which is a classification of substances based on their temporal existence. Eternal substances are those that exist throughout time, while non-eternal substances are those that come into being and pass away.