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 school of Indian philosophy emphasizes the role of intuition and direct experience as a source of knowledge?

  1. Nyaya

  2. Vaisheshika

  3. Mimamsa

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

Advaita Vedanta, a school of Indian philosophy founded by Adi Shankara, emphasizes the role of intuition and direct experience as a means of acquiring knowledge. According to Advaita Vedanta, the ultimate reality is Brahman, which can be directly experienced through meditation and self-inquiry.

Multiple choice

In Indian philosophy, the term 'smriti' refers to:

  1. Revealed knowledge

  2. Empirical knowledge

  3. Rational knowledge

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

In Indian philosophy, 'smriti' is a Sanskrit term that means 'remembered' or 'tradition'. It refers to the knowledge that is derived from memory, experience, or oral tradition, as opposed to revealed knowledge (sruti).

Multiple choice

Which school of Indian philosophy advocates the theory of 'apoha' or 'negation' as a means of defining concepts?

  1. Nyaya

  2. Vaisheshika

  3. Mimamsa

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

The Nyaya school of Indian philosophy, founded by Gautama, employs the theory of 'apoha' or 'negation' as a means of defining concepts. According to this theory, a concept is defined by negating its opposite qualities.

Multiple choice

In Indian philosophy, the term 'tarka' refers to:

  1. Logical reasoning

  2. Dialectical reasoning

  3. Meditation

  4. Self-inquiry
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

In Indian philosophy, 'tarka' is a Sanskrit term that means 'logical reasoning' or 'argumentation'. It refers to the process of using logical principles and arguments to establish the validity of a claim or proposition.

Multiple choice

Which school of Indian philosophy emphasizes the role of language and grammar in the acquisition of knowledge?

  1. Nyaya

  2. Vaisheshika

  3. Mimamsa

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

The Mimamsa school of Indian philosophy, founded by Jaimini, places great importance on language and grammar in the acquisition of knowledge. According to Mimamsa, the Vedas are composed in perfect language, and their interpretation requires a deep understanding of grammar and linguistics.

Multiple choice

In Indian philosophy, the term 'anumana' refers to:

  1. Perception

  2. Inference

  3. Testimony

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

In Indian philosophy, 'anumana' is a Sanskrit term that means 'inference' or 'deduction'. It refers to the process of deriving new knowledge from existing knowledge through logical reasoning.

Multiple choice

Which school of Indian philosophy advocates the theory of 'satkaryavada' or 'the effect exists in the cause'?

  1. Nyaya

  2. Vaisheshika

  3. Mimamsa

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

The Vaisheshika school of Indian philosophy, founded by Kanada, propounds the theory of 'satkaryavada' or 'the effect exists in the cause'. According to this theory, the effect is pre-existent in the cause in a subtle form and is manifested under appropriate conditions.

Multiple choice

In Indian philosophy, the term 'abhava' refers to:

  1. Existence

  2. Non-existence

  3. Negation

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

In Indian philosophy, 'abhava' is a Sanskrit term that means 'non-existence' or 'absence'. It refers to the state of something not existing or being absent.

Multiple choice

Which school of Indian philosophy emphasizes the role of doubt and critical inquiry in the pursuit of knowledge?

  1. Nyaya

  2. Vaisheshika

  3. Mimamsa

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

The Nyaya school of Indian philosophy, founded by Gautama, places great importance on doubt and critical inquiry in the pursuit of knowledge. According to Nyaya, knowledge should be subjected to rigorous examination and scrutiny to ensure its validity.

Multiple choice

In Indian philosophy, the term 'samaya' refers to:

  1. Agreement

  2. Convention

  3. Tradition

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

In Indian philosophy, 'samaya' is a Sanskrit term that means 'convention' or 'agreement'. It refers to the knowledge that is derived from social conventions, customs, or traditions.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a major work of Ramanuja, a prominent philosopher of the Vishishtadvaita school of Vedanta?

  1. Bhagavad Gita Bhashya

  2. Brahma Sutra Bhashya

  3. Sri Bhashya

  4. Vedanta Sutras Bhashya
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Sri Bhashya is a major work of Ramanuja, a prominent philosopher of the Vishishtadvaita school of Vedanta, which emphasizes the qualified non-dual nature of reality.

Multiple choice

Who is considered the founder of the Dvaita Vedanta school of thought?

  1. Adi Shankara

  2. Ramanuja

  3. Madhvacharya

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

Madhvacharya is considered the founder of the Dvaita Vedanta school of thought, which emphasizes the dual nature of reality.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a major work of Swami Vivekananda, a prominent modern Vedanta philosopher?

  1. Raja Yoga

  2. Karma Yoga

  3. Bhakti Yoga

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

Raja Yoga is a major work of Swami Vivekananda, a prominent modern Vedanta philosopher, which focuses on the practice of meditation and self-realization.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a major work of Sri Aurobindo, a prominent modern Vedanta philosopher?

  1. The Life Divine

  2. The Synthesis of Yoga

  3. Savitri

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

The Life Divine is a major work of Sri Aurobindo, a prominent modern Vedanta philosopher, which explores the nature of reality and the evolution of consciousness.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a major work of Ramana Maharshi, a prominent modern Vedanta philosopher?

  1. Who am I?

  2. Talks with Ramana Maharshi

  3. The Path of Self-Knowledge

  4. Self-Enquiry
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Who am I? is a major work of Ramana Maharshi, a prominent modern Vedanta philosopher, which explores the nature of the self and the path to self-realization.