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

According to the Samkhya philosophy, what are the three gunas?

  1. Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas

  2. Dharma, Artha, and Kama

  3. Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva

  4. Sat, Chit, and Ananda
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

According to the Samkhya philosophy, the three gunas are Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a means of achieving moksha according to the Bhagavad Gita?

  1. Bhakti yoga (devotion to God)

  2. Jnana yoga (knowledge of the true nature of reality)

  3. Karma yoga (action performed without attachment to the fruits of action)

  4. Raja yoga (control of the mind and senses)
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Correct answer
Explanation

According to the Bhagavad Gita, bhakti yoga, jnana yoga, karma yoga, and raja yoga are all means of achieving moksha.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a type of moksha in Indian philosophy?

  1. Jivanmukti (liberation while still alive)

  2. Videhamukti (liberation after death)

  3. Kaivalya (absolute liberation)

  4. Brahmanirvana (union with Brahman)
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Correct answer
Explanation

Jivanmukti, videhamukti, kaivalya, and brahmanirvana are all types of moksha in Indian philosophy.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a school of thought in Indian philosophy that deals with the relationship between action and moksha?

  1. Karma Yoga

  2. Bhakti Yoga

  3. Jnana Yoga

  4. Mimamsa
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Mimamsa is a school of thought in Indian philosophy that focuses on the interpretation of the Vedas, rather than the relationship between action and moksha.

Multiple choice

What is the term used in Indian philosophy to refer to the final cataclysmic event in apocalyptic history?

  1. Pralaya

  2. Samkhya

  3. Yoga

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

Pralaya is the Sanskrit term for the final dissolution or destruction of the universe, often associated with the apocalyptic end of a cosmic cycle.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of apocalyptic history in Indian philosophy?

  1. Linear progression

  2. Cyclicality

  3. Final cataclysm

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

Cyclicality is not a characteristic of apocalyptic history in Indian philosophy, which is typically characterized by a linear progression leading to a final cataclysm.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is not a category of existence according to the Nyaya-Vaiseshika school?

  1. Substance

  2. Quality

  3. Action

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

The Nyaya-Vaiseshika school recognizes six categories of existence: substance, quality, action, generality, particularity, and inherence. Action is not included in this list.

Multiple choice

What is the primary method of inquiry used by the Nyaya-Vaiseshika school?

  1. Analogy

  2. Deduction

  3. Induction

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

The Nyaya-Vaiseshika school primarily relies on deduction as its method of inquiry. It uses logical arguments and syllogisms to establish the truth of its claims.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a fundamental principle of the Nyaya-Vaiseshika school?

  1. The law of karma

  2. The existence of God

  3. The validity of perception

  4. The importance of ritual
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C Correct answer
Explanation

The Nyaya-Vaiseshika school holds that perception is a valid source of knowledge. It argues that the senses provide us with accurate information about the world around us.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a key concept in the Nyaya-Vaiseshika theory of causation?

  1. Asatkaryavada

  2. Satkaryavada

  3. Vivartavada

  4. Parinamavada
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A Correct answer
Explanation

Asatkaryavada is a fundamental concept in the Nyaya-Vaiseshika theory of causation. It states that an effect cannot be produced from a non-existent cause.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a central tenet of the Nyaya-Vaiseshika theory of knowledge?

  1. Knowledge is subjective and personal.

  2. Knowledge is objective and universal.

  3. Knowledge is a product of social interaction.

  4. Knowledge is a form of divine revelation.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The Nyaya-Vaiseshika school maintains that knowledge is objective and universal. It argues that knowledge is not dependent on the individual knower but rather exists independently of the knower.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a key concept in the Nyaya-Vaiseshika theory of liberation?

  1. Moksha

  2. Nirvana

  3. Samadhi

  4. Brahman
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A Correct answer
Explanation

Moksha is a key concept in the Nyaya-Vaiseshika theory of liberation. It refers to the state of liberation from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a significant contribution of the Nyaya-Vaiseshika school to Indian philosophy?

  1. The development of a systematic theory of logic.

  2. The formulation of a comprehensive metaphysics.

  3. The articulation of a rigorous epistemology.

  4. The establishment of a coherent ethical system.
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A Correct answer
Explanation

The Nyaya-Vaiseshika school is renowned for its development of a systematic theory of logic. Its logical theories have had a profound influence on Indian philosophy and have been widely adopted by other schools of thought.

Multiple choice

How did the Nyaya-Vaiseshika school influence the development of other schools of Indian philosophy?

  1. It provided a framework for philosophical inquiry.

  2. It contributed to the development of Buddhist logic.

  3. It stimulated the growth of Jain philosophy.

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

The Nyaya-Vaiseshika school had a significant influence on the development of other schools of Indian philosophy. Its logical theories were adopted by Buddhist and Jain philosophers, and its metaphysical and epistemological ideas stimulated philosophical inquiry across various traditions.

Multiple choice

Which of the following schools of Indian philosophy was most directly influenced by the Nyaya-Vaiseshika school?

  1. Buddhism

  2. Jainism

  3. Mimamsa

  4. Vedanta
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A Correct answer
Explanation

The Nyaya-Vaiseshika school had a particularly strong influence on the development of Buddhist philosophy. Buddhist logicians and philosophers adopted and adapted many of the Nyaya-Vaiseshika logical theories and concepts.