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 Nyaya school of Indian philosophy, what is the primary means of acquiring knowledge?

  1. Perception.

  2. Inference.

  3. Testimony.

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

The Nyaya school of Indian philosophy holds that there are three primary means of acquiring knowledge: perception, inference, and testimony.

Multiple choice

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

  1. Sanchita Karma.

  2. Prarabdha Karma.

  3. Kriyamana Karma.

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

Agami Karma is not a type of karma in Indian philosophy. Sanchita Karma refers to the accumulated karma from past lives, Prarabdha Karma refers to the karma that is currently being experienced, and Kriyamana Karma refers to the karma that is being created in the present moment.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a key concept in the philosophy of action in the Upanishads?

  1. Atman.

  2. Brahman.

  3. Maya.

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

Atman, or the self, is a key concept in the philosophy of action in the Upanishads. It refers to the true nature of the self, which is believed to be identical with Brahman, the ultimate reality.

Multiple choice

According to the Advaita Vedanta school of Indian philosophy, what is the primary cause of suffering?

  1. Ignorance.

  2. Desire.

  3. Attachment.

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

The Advaita Vedanta school of Indian philosophy holds that the primary cause of suffering is ignorance, desire, and attachment.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a virtue in Indian philosophy?

  1. Truthfulness.

  2. Non-violence.

  3. Stealing.

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

Stealing is considered to be a vice in Indian philosophy, as it is a violation of the principle of ahimsa (non-violence).

Multiple choice

In Hinduism, what is the term for the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth?

  1. Samsara

  2. Karma

  3. Moksha

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

Samsara is the Sanskrit word for the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, which is a fundamental concept in Hinduism.

Multiple choice

In Taoism, what is the term for the fundamental principle of the universe, which is often represented by the yin-yang symbol?

  1. Tao

  2. Yin-Yang

  3. Wuji

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

The Tao is the fundamental principle of the universe in Taoism, and it is often represented by the yin-yang symbol.

Multiple choice

According to the Samkhya school of Indian philosophy, the universe is composed of two fundamental principles:

  1. Purusha and Prakriti

  2. Atman and Brahman

  3. Dharma and Karma

  4. Maya and Avidya
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Purusha is the conscious, unchanging principle, while Prakriti is the material, changing principle.

Multiple choice

The Advaita Vedanta school of Indian philosophy emphasizes the concept of:

  1. The unity of all existence

  2. The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth

  3. The law of karma and reincarnation

  4. The nature of the soul
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Advaita Vedanta teaches that the ultimate reality is a single, unified consciousness, and that the individual self is an illusion.

Multiple choice

The Nyaya school of Indian philosophy emphasizes the concept of:

  1. Logic and epistemology

  2. The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth

  3. The law of karma and reincarnation

  4. The nature of the soul
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A Correct answer
Explanation

Nyaya is known for its rigorous approach to logic and its emphasis on the importance of rational inquiry.

Multiple choice

The Mimamsa school of Indian philosophy focuses on:

  1. The interpretation of Vedic texts

  2. The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth

  3. The law of karma and reincarnation

  4. The nature of the soul
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Mimamsa is known for its emphasis on the study and interpretation of the Vedas, the sacred texts of Hinduism.

Multiple choice

The Yoga school of Indian philosophy emphasizes the concept of:

  1. Union with the divine

  2. The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth

  3. The law of karma and reincarnation

  4. The nature of the soul
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Yoga is known for its focus on spiritual practices and techniques aimed at achieving union with the divine.

Multiple choice

In Nyaya-Vaisheshika philosophy, what is the primary concept used to explain causality?

  1. Samyoga (Conjunction)

  2. Samavaya (Inherence)

  3. Karana (Cause)

  4. Karyakara (Effect-Cause)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

In Nyaya-Vaisheshika, Samyoga (Conjunction) is the primary concept used to explain causality. It refers to the spatial and temporal relation between a cause and its effect.

Multiple choice

Which school of Indian philosophy emphasizes the role of efficient causality (nimitta karana) in explaining the world?

  1. Nyaya-Vaisheshika

  2. Samkhya

  3. Yoga

  4. Mimamsa
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A Correct answer
Explanation

Nyaya-Vaisheshika philosophy places a strong emphasis on efficient causality (nimitta karana), which refers to the agent or instrument that directly brings about an effect.

Multiple choice

According to the Samkhya school, what are the three fundamental gunas (qualities) that govern causality?

  1. Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas

  2. Prakriti, Purusha, and Mahat

  3. Buddhi, Manas, and Ahankara

  4. Dharma, Artha, and Kama
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

In Samkhya philosophy, the three fundamental gunas (qualities) that govern causality are Sattva (purity, lightness), Rajas (activity, passion), and Tamas (inertia, darkness).