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Philosophy and Meaning of Life

1,763 Questions

This collection features practice questions on philosophical concepts such as existentialism, absurdism, and the search for meaning. These topics are frequently included in the philosophy and general studies papers of civil services exams. Practicing these questions helps build conceptual clarity for subjective and objective tests.

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Philosophy and Meaning of Life Questions

Multiple choice softskills leadership

existential

  1. pertaining to existence

  2. combine

  3. wilful

  4. person or thing excess of what is necessary
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Existential pertains to existence, particularly human existence or the state of being real. It's often used in philosophical contexts like 'existential questions' about life's meaning. The other options are unrelated - combine means to join, wilful means intentional or stubborn, and option D is a garbled definition of 'excessive' or 'superfluous'.

Multiple choice

What escape do the critics suggest from 'Absurdity'?

Answer the questions based on the following passages.

Passage 1                               

            Absurdity is a conjoining theme to existentialism. It is a
            concept which rises with a contrast between two aspects
            of human need and the fallacious quietness of the world.
            It’s true that mankind survives in a world that is and will
(5)        always be inimical and detached towards its requirements.
            The universe will never cater to humanity as the latter wants
            to. The non believers believe that people create legends or
            unrealistic pictures of God to fill this hollowness in an
            endeavor to satisfy their faith.
(10)      Basically absurdism is not an existentialist outlook. Its
            potent idea surfaces around the assumption that everything
            must have an intention which could give a reason to survive.
            But if every achieved height has a higher aim ahead, what
            is the purpose of the one that has been achieved? If all
(15)      mankind is a creation of the Almighty then who created HIM?
            So, all belief in God remains questionable, and his identity
            as absurd. Canaus suggested suicide the best reaction to
            absurdity though it was not very effective and potent in result.
            Critics support an altogether different philosophy. They
(20)      believe that instead of ending a purposeless life one
            should learn the art of coping with or retaliating against
            this lack of purpose and this should act as a motivation to
            mankind to live a life full of free will. Some consider this
            philosophy to be haughty because if the purpose of life
(25)      cannot be seen distinctly it does not mean that its existence
            is challenged.
            The absurdist drama’s role was not to dispirit the audience
            with adverse feelings but to give them a translucent picture
            of actuality so that they could comprehend their own
(30)      purpose in life. This theatre came after the Second World
            War. Its roots were embedded in existentialism. This form
            catered to the rationally inexplicable that is often called
            Absurd. This style caught the audience fascination a little
            too late because of its illogical approach. The plots often
(35)      diverged from the conventional structure and seemed to
            compass the same events, probably ending at the same
            argument it began with. The colloquy was nit witted and
            the scenic background was unacknowledgable.

Passage 2

            The existentialists showed undoubted love for life. They
            were cynically optimistic because of their inclination to their
            material pursuits. They had a centralized disposition,
            freedom of will and an attitude of self adjudgement, in
(5)        themselves. Sartre, Camus and Beckett all began from this
            philosophy but Beckett later took up as an absurdist. He
            called this world a mound of meaninglessness giving way
            to pessimism.
            But the question arises that if life is so meaningless then
(10)      why are we striving, why are we not resting ironically in
            death. If death is the ultimate motive, why is that we are
            undergoing so much stress. Sartre had no belief in deific
            element. He registered that no essences existed before
            mankind unlike the believers of God who think Almighty
(15)      primarily created the essences of the world and then
            created the human race. Hence existentialism believed
            ‘existence precedes essence’. Sartre being a rigid
            existentialist, believed the precedence of God’s presence
            to be a farce.
(20)      This is how existentialism gave way to Absurdity. If
            existentialists believe in the absence of God then there is
            no purpose or value left, which makes the world an
            unworthy, irrelevant, inanimate and vacant place called
            absurd. These ideas gained precedence when the society
(25)      was facing despondency of World War II. All belief in
            sanctity of life had been shattered.
            Existentialists agreed that all distress and devastations
            make life an ungratified experience. Slowly one loses the
            meaning of life. Hence existentialism helps one in his
(30)      journey and in scanning the real self and personal meaning
            of life. The existentialists did not want any power or beliefs
            overpower this motive because these could hamper
            individualism and suppress human desire. Existentialists
            believe that personal judgment predestined a person’s
(35)      fellowship either to an autocrat’s religion or to a secular
           free will.

 

  1. Suicide is the easiest way.

  2. Encounter negativities and reciprocate life.

  3. Learn to compromise

  4. Check all negativity in life

  5. Meditate for a serene mind.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

(Lines 20-21) Instead of ending a purposeless life, one should learn to cope with or retaliate.

Multiple choice

What, according to passage 1, does the term 'Absurdity' stand for?

Answer the questions based on the following passages.

Passage 1                               

            Absurdity is a conjoining theme to existentialism. It is a
            concept which rises with a contrast between two aspects
            of human need and the fallacious quietness of the world.
            It’s true that mankind survives in a world that is and will
(5)        always be inimical and detached towards its requirements.
            The universe will never cater to humanity as the latter wants
            to. The non believers believe that people create legends or
            unrealistic pictures of God to fill this hollowness in an
            endeavor to satisfy their faith.
(10)      Basically absurdism is not an existentialist outlook. Its
            potent idea surfaces around the assumption that everything
            must have an intention which could give a reason to survive.
            But if every achieved height has a higher aim ahead, what
            is the purpose of the one that has been achieved? If all
(15)      mankind is a creation of the Almighty then who created HIM?
            So, all belief in God remains questionable, and his identity
            as absurd. Canaus suggested suicide the best reaction to
            absurdity though it was not very effective and potent in result.
            Critics support an altogether different philosophy. They
(20)      believe that instead of ending a purposeless life one
            should learn the art of coping with or retaliating against
            this lack of purpose and this should act as a motivation to
            mankind to live a life full of free will. Some consider this
            philosophy to be haughty because if the purpose of life
(25)      cannot be seen distinctly it does not mean that its existence
            is challenged.
            The absurdist drama’s role was not to dispirit the audience
            with adverse feelings but to give them a translucent picture
            of actuality so that they could comprehend their own
(30)      purpose in life. This theatre came after the Second World
            War. Its roots were embedded in existentialism. This form
            catered to the rationally inexplicable that is often called
            Absurd. This style caught the audience fascination a little
            too late because of its illogical approach. The plots often
(35)      diverged from the conventional structure and seemed to
            compass the same events, probably ending at the same
            argument it began with. The colloquy was nit witted and
            the scenic background was unacknowledgable.

Passage 2

            The existentialists showed undoubted love for life. They
            were cynically optimistic because of their inclination to their
            material pursuits. They had a centralized disposition,
            freedom of will and an attitude of self adjudgement, in
(5)        themselves. Sartre, Camus and Beckett all began from this
            philosophy but Beckett later took up as an absurdist. He
            called this world a mound of meaninglessness giving way
            to pessimism.
            But the question arises that if life is so meaningless then
(10)      why are we striving, why are we not resting ironically in
            death. If death is the ultimate motive, why is that we are
            undergoing so much stress. Sartre had no belief in deific
            element. He registered that no essences existed before
            mankind unlike the believers of God who think Almighty
(15)      primarily created the essences of the world and then
            created the human race. Hence existentialism believed
            ‘existence precedes essence’. Sartre being a rigid
            existentialist, believed the precedence of God’s presence
            to be a farce.
(20)      This is how existentialism gave way to Absurdity. If
            existentialists believe in the absence of God then there is
            no purpose or value left, which makes the world an
            unworthy, irrelevant, inanimate and vacant place called
            absurd. These ideas gained precedence when the society
(25)      was facing despondency of World War II. All belief in
            sanctity of life had been shattered.
            Existentialists agreed that all distress and devastations
            make life an ungratified experience. Slowly one loses the
            meaning of life. Hence existentialism helps one in his
(30)      journey and in scanning the real self and personal meaning
            of life. The existentialists did not want any power or beliefs
            overpower this motive because these could hamper
            individualism and suppress human desire. Existentialists
            believe that personal judgment predestined a person’s
(35)      fellowship either to an autocrat’s religion or to a secular
           free will.

 

  1. Confusion of human mind on the absurdity of philosophical thought.

  2. Lack of animus and rationale makes one lose the perspective on survival.

  3. God's existence that is vague and open to endless interpretations.

  4. The void that exists between man and his unfulfilled desires.

  5. The negativities of human life that are compellingly festal.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Absurdity relates to the unexplained facts which cause anxiety and loss of interest in 'a purposeless life'.

Multiple choice

All of the following are true about existentialists EXCEPT

Answer the questions based on the following passages.

Passage 1                               

            Absurdity is a conjoining theme to existentialism. It is a
            concept which rises with a contrast between two aspects
            of human need and the fallacious quietness of the world.
            It’s true that mankind survives in a world that is and will
(5)        always be inimical and detached towards its requirements.
            The universe will never cater to humanity as the latter wants
            to. The non believers believe that people create legends or
            unrealistic pictures of God to fill this hollowness in an
            endeavor to satisfy their faith.
(10)      Basically absurdism is not an existentialist outlook. Its
            potent idea surfaces around the assumption that everything
            must have an intention which could give a reason to survive.
            But if every achieved height has a higher aim ahead, what
            is the purpose of the one that has been achieved? If all
(15)      mankind is a creation of the Almighty then who created HIM?
            So, all belief in God remains questionable, and his identity
            as absurd. Canaus suggested suicide the best reaction to
            absurdity though it was not very effective and potent in result.
            Critics support an altogether different philosophy. They
(20)      believe that instead of ending a purposeless life one
            should learn the art of coping with or retaliating against
            this lack of purpose and this should act as a motivation to
            mankind to live a life full of free will. Some consider this
            philosophy to be haughty because if the purpose of life
(25)      cannot be seen distinctly it does not mean that its existence
            is challenged.
            The absurdist drama’s role was not to dispirit the audience
            with adverse feelings but to give them a translucent picture
            of actuality so that they could comprehend their own
(30)      purpose in life. This theatre came after the Second World
            War. Its roots were embedded in existentialism. This form
            catered to the rationally inexplicable that is often called
            Absurd. This style caught the audience fascination a little
            too late because of its illogical approach. The plots often
(35)      diverged from the conventional structure and seemed to
            compass the same events, probably ending at the same
            argument it began with. The colloquy was nit witted and
            the scenic background was unacknowledgable.

Passage 2

            The existentialists showed undoubted love for life. They
            were cynically optimistic because of their inclination to their
            material pursuits. They had a centralized disposition,
            freedom of will and an attitude of self adjudgement, in
(5)        themselves. Sartre, Camus and Beckett all began from this
            philosophy but Beckett later took up as an absurdist. He
            called this world a mound of meaninglessness giving way
            to pessimism.
            But the question arises that if life is so meaningless then
(10)      why are we striving, why are we not resting ironically in
            death. If death is the ultimate motive, why is that we are
            undergoing so much stress. Sartre had no belief in deific
            element. He registered that no essences existed before
            mankind unlike the believers of God who think Almighty
(15)      primarily created the essences of the world and then
            created the human race. Hence existentialism believed
            ‘existence precedes essence’. Sartre being a rigid
            existentialist, believed the precedence of God’s presence
            to be a farce.
(20)      This is how existentialism gave way to Absurdity. If
            existentialists believe in the absence of God then there is
            no purpose or value left, which makes the world an
            unworthy, irrelevant, inanimate and vacant place called
            absurd. These ideas gained precedence when the society
(25)      was facing despondency of World War II. All belief in
            sanctity of life had been shattered.
            Existentialists agreed that all distress and devastations
            make life an ungratified experience. Slowly one loses the
            meaning of life. Hence existentialism helps one in his
(30)      journey and in scanning the real self and personal meaning
            of life. The existentialists did not want any power or beliefs
            overpower this motive because these could hamper
            individualism and suppress human desire. Existentialists
            believe that personal judgment predestined a person’s
(35)      fellowship either to an autocrat’s religion or to a secular
           free will.

 

  1. Existentialists did not believe in God and the world is an irrelevant place for them.

  2. Existentialist approach is the root of 'absurdism'.

  3. Initially, existentialists were disposed to love for life and cheerfulness.

  4. Existentialists believed not in personal judgment but in predestiny of a person's path in life.

  5. Existentialists and absurdists agreed on the irrelevance of life and ultimate destiny being death.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

(D) directly contradicts paragraph 1 of Passage 2.

Multiple choice

According to Passage 2, what does 'existence precedes essence' (line 17) mean?

Answer the questions based on the following passages.

Passage 1                               

            Absurdity is a conjoining theme to existentialism. It is a
            concept which rises with a contrast between two aspects
            of human need and the fallacious quietness of the world.
            It’s true that mankind survives in a world that is and will
(5)        always be inimical and detached towards its requirements.
            The universe will never cater to humanity as the latter wants
            to. The non believers believe that people create legends or
            unrealistic pictures of God to fill this hollowness in an
            endeavor to satisfy their faith.
(10)      Basically absurdism is not an existentialist outlook. Its
            potent idea surfaces around the assumption that everything
            must have an intention which could give a reason to survive.
            But if every achieved height has a higher aim ahead, what
            is the purpose of the one that has been achieved? If all
(15)      mankind is a creation of the Almighty then who created HIM?
            So, all belief in God remains questionable, and his identity
            as absurd. Canaus suggested suicide the best reaction to
            absurdity though it was not very effective and potent in result.
            Critics support an altogether different philosophy. They
(20)      believe that instead of ending a purposeless life one
            should learn the art of coping with or retaliating against
            this lack of purpose and this should act as a motivation to
            mankind to live a life full of free will. Some consider this
            philosophy to be haughty because if the purpose of life
(25)      cannot be seen distinctly it does not mean that its existence
            is challenged.
            The absurdist drama’s role was not to dispirit the audience
            with adverse feelings but to give them a translucent picture
            of actuality so that they could comprehend their own
(30)      purpose in life. This theatre came after the Second World
            War. Its roots were embedded in existentialism. This form
            catered to the rationally inexplicable that is often called
            Absurd. This style caught the audience fascination a little
            too late because of its illogical approach. The plots often
(35)      diverged from the conventional structure and seemed to
            compass the same events, probably ending at the same
            argument it began with. The colloquy was nit witted and
            the scenic background was unacknowledgable.

Passage 2

            The existentialists showed undoubted love for life. They
            were cynically optimistic because of their inclination to their
            material pursuits. They had a centralized disposition,
            freedom of will and an attitude of self adjudgement, in
(5)        themselves. Sartre, Camus and Beckett all began from this
            philosophy but Beckett later took up as an absurdist. He
            called this world a mound of meaninglessness giving way
            to pessimism.
            But the question arises that if life is so meaningless then
(10)      why are we striving, why are we not resting ironically in
            death. If death is the ultimate motive, why is that we are
            undergoing so much stress. Sartre had no belief in deific
            element. He registered that no essences existed before
            mankind unlike the believers of God who think Almighty
(15)      primarily created the essences of the world and then
            created the human race. Hence existentialism believed
            ‘existence precedes essence’. Sartre being a rigid
            existentialist, believed the precedence of God’s presence
            to be a farce.
(20)      This is how existentialism gave way to Absurdity. If
            existentialists believe in the absence of God then there is
            no purpose or value left, which makes the world an
            unworthy, irrelevant, inanimate and vacant place called
            absurd. These ideas gained precedence when the society
(25)      was facing despondency of World War II. All belief in
            sanctity of life had been shattered.
            Existentialists agreed that all distress and devastations
            make life an ungratified experience. Slowly one loses the
            meaning of life. Hence existentialism helps one in his
(30)      journey and in scanning the real self and personal meaning
            of life. The existentialists did not want any power or beliefs
            overpower this motive because these could hamper
            individualism and suppress human desire. Existentialists
            believe that personal judgment predestined a person’s
(35)      fellowship either to an autocrat’s religion or to a secular
           free will.

 

  1. God's existence is dispensable.

  2. Virtues were first created and then the human race.

  3. As there was no divinity, human existence anteceded virtue.

  4. All essence or virtue existed in the human society but a few were unversed.

  5. Existentialism gave way to the essence of absurdity.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Existentialism propagated that human race anteceded the essence of life 'No essences existed before mankind' (lines 13-14).

Multiple choice

What is the relationship between Passage 1 and Passage 2?

Answer the questions based on the following passages.

Passage 1                               

            Absurdity is a conjoining theme to existentialism. It is a
            concept which rises with a contrast between two aspects
            of human need and the fallacious quietness of the world.
            It’s true that mankind survives in a world that is and will
(5)        always be inimical and detached towards its requirements.
            The universe will never cater to humanity as the latter wants
            to. The non believers believe that people create legends or
            unrealistic pictures of God to fill this hollowness in an
            endeavor to satisfy their faith.
(10)      Basically absurdism is not an existentialist outlook. Its
            potent idea surfaces around the assumption that everything
            must have an intention which could give a reason to survive.
            But if every achieved height has a higher aim ahead, what
            is the purpose of the one that has been achieved? If all
(15)      mankind is a creation of the Almighty then who created HIM?
            So, all belief in God remains questionable, and his identity
            as absurd. Canaus suggested suicide the best reaction to
            absurdity though it was not very effective and potent in result.
            Critics support an altogether different philosophy. They
(20)      believe that instead of ending a purposeless life one
            should learn the art of coping with or retaliating against
            this lack of purpose and this should act as a motivation to
            mankind to live a life full of free will. Some consider this
            philosophy to be haughty because if the purpose of life
(25)      cannot be seen distinctly it does not mean that its existence
            is challenged.
            The absurdist drama’s role was not to dispirit the audience
            with adverse feelings but to give them a translucent picture
            of actuality so that they could comprehend their own
(30)      purpose in life. This theatre came after the Second World
            War. Its roots were embedded in existentialism. This form
            catered to the rationally inexplicable that is often called
            Absurd. This style caught the audience fascination a little
            too late because of its illogical approach. The plots often
(35)      diverged from the conventional structure and seemed to
            compass the same events, probably ending at the same
            argument it began with. The colloquy was nit witted and
            the scenic background was unacknowledgable.

Passage 2

            The existentialists showed undoubted love for life. They
            were cynically optimistic because of their inclination to their
            material pursuits. They had a centralized disposition,
            freedom of will and an attitude of self adjudgement, in
(5)        themselves. Sartre, Camus and Beckett all began from this
            philosophy but Beckett later took up as an absurdist. He
            called this world a mound of meaninglessness giving way
            to pessimism.
            But the question arises that if life is so meaningless then
(10)      why are we striving, why are we not resting ironically in
            death. If death is the ultimate motive, why is that we are
            undergoing so much stress. Sartre had no belief in deific
            element. He registered that no essences existed before
            mankind unlike the believers of God who think Almighty
(15)      primarily created the essences of the world and then
            created the human race. Hence existentialism believed
            ‘existence precedes essence’. Sartre being a rigid
            existentialist, believed the precedence of God’s presence
            to be a farce.
(20)      This is how existentialism gave way to Absurdity. If
            existentialists believe in the absence of God then there is
            no purpose or value left, which makes the world an
            unworthy, irrelevant, inanimate and vacant place called
            absurd. These ideas gained precedence when the society
(25)      was facing despondency of World War II. All belief in
            sanctity of life had been shattered.
            Existentialists agreed that all distress and devastations
            make life an ungratified experience. Slowly one loses the
            meaning of life. Hence existentialism helps one in his
(30)      journey and in scanning the real self and personal meaning
            of life. The existentialists did not want any power or beliefs
            overpower this motive because these could hamper
            individualism and suppress human desire. Existentialists
            believe that personal judgment predestined a person’s
(35)      fellowship either to an autocrat’s religion or to a secular
           free will.

 

  1. Both deal with a theistic approach.

  2. Both contend that absurdity was rooted in existentialism.

  3. Both deal with the meaninglessness of life.

  4. Both deal with post World War crisis arising out of loss of sanctity of life.

  5. Both propagate a life with moral inclination.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

(B) is correct because both the passages contend that existentialism existed before a few philosophers developed a totally pessimistic approach called absurdity.

Multiple choice

What is the marked difference between Passage 1 and Passage 2?

Answer the questions based on the following passages.

Passage 1                               

            Absurdity is a conjoining theme to existentialism. It is a
            concept which rises with a contrast between two aspects
            of human need and the fallacious quietness of the world.
            It’s true that mankind survives in a world that is and will
(5)        always be inimical and detached towards its requirements.
            The universe will never cater to humanity as the latter wants
            to. The non believers believe that people create legends or
            unrealistic pictures of God to fill this hollowness in an
            endeavor to satisfy their faith.
(10)      Basically absurdism is not an existentialist outlook. Its
            potent idea surfaces around the assumption that everything
            must have an intention which could give a reason to survive.
            But if every achieved height has a higher aim ahead, what
            is the purpose of the one that has been achieved? If all
(15)      mankind is a creation of the Almighty then who created HIM?
            So, all belief in God remains questionable, and his identity
            as absurd. Canaus suggested suicide the best reaction to
            absurdity though it was not very effective and potent in result.
            Critics support an altogether different philosophy. They
(20)      believe that instead of ending a purposeless life one
            should learn the art of coping with or retaliating against
            this lack of purpose and this should act as a motivation to
            mankind to live a life full of free will. Some consider this
            philosophy to be haughty because if the purpose of life
(25)      cannot be seen distinctly it does not mean that its existence
            is challenged.
            The absurdist drama’s role was not to dispirit the audience
            with adverse feelings but to give them a translucent picture
            of actuality so that they could comprehend their own
(30)      purpose in life. This theatre came after the Second World
            War. Its roots were embedded in existentialism. This form
            catered to the rationally inexplicable that is often called
            Absurd. This style caught the audience fascination a little
            too late because of its illogical approach. The plots often
(35)      diverged from the conventional structure and seemed to
            compass the same events, probably ending at the same
            argument it began with. The colloquy was nit witted and
            the scenic background was unacknowledgable.

Passage 2

            The existentialists showed undoubted love for life. They
            were cynically optimistic because of their inclination to their
            material pursuits. They had a centralized disposition,
            freedom of will and an attitude of self adjudgement, in
(5)        themselves. Sartre, Camus and Beckett all began from this
            philosophy but Beckett later took up as an absurdist. He
            called this world a mound of meaninglessness giving way
            to pessimism.
            But the question arises that if life is so meaningless then
(10)      why are we striving, why are we not resting ironically in
            death. If death is the ultimate motive, why is that we are
            undergoing so much stress. Sartre had no belief in deific
            element. He registered that no essences existed before
            mankind unlike the believers of God who think Almighty
(15)      primarily created the essences of the world and then
            created the human race. Hence existentialism believed
            ‘existence precedes essence’. Sartre being a rigid
            existentialist, believed the precedence of God’s presence
            to be a farce.
(20)      This is how existentialism gave way to Absurdity. If
            existentialists believe in the absence of God then there is
            no purpose or value left, which makes the world an
            unworthy, irrelevant, inanimate and vacant place called
            absurd. These ideas gained precedence when the society
(25)      was facing despondency of World War II. All belief in
            sanctity of life had been shattered.
            Existentialists agreed that all distress and devastations
            make life an ungratified experience. Slowly one loses the
            meaning of life. Hence existentialism helps one in his
(30)      journey and in scanning the real self and personal meaning
            of life. The existentialists did not want any power or beliefs
            overpower this motive because these could hamper
            individualism and suppress human desire. Existentialists
            believe that personal judgment predestined a person’s
(35)      fellowship either to an autocrat’s religion or to a secular
           free will.

 

  1. Passage 1 recommends end to life as a potent way out of absurdity; Passage 2 states love for life due to free will.

  2. Passage 1 ascertains love towards divinity; Passage 2 towards human free will and judgment.

  3. Absurdity slowly turned into existentialism as per Passage 1, but not influenced as per Passage 2.

  4. Passage 1 relates to rationale unexplained; Passage 2 explains these unexplained facts.

  5. They cater to the same subject matter.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Passage 2 basically contrasts the existentialist attitude to life with the absurdist view of life as detailed in passage 1.

Multiple choice

How can you relate 'cynically optimistic' (line 2) to existentialists, according to passage 2?

Answer the questions based on the following passages.

Passage 1                               

            Absurdity is a conjoining theme to existentialism. It is a
            concept which rises with a contrast between two aspects
            of human need and the fallacious quietness of the world.
            It’s true that mankind survives in a world that is and will
(5)        always be inimical and detached towards its requirements.
            The universe will never cater to humanity as the latter wants
            to. The non believers believe that people create legends or
            unrealistic pictures of God to fill this hollowness in an
            endeavor to satisfy their faith.
(10)      Basically absurdism is not an existentialist outlook. Its
            potent idea surfaces around the assumption that everything
            must have an intention which could give a reason to survive.
            But if every achieved height has a higher aim ahead, what
            is the purpose of the one that has been achieved? If all
(15)      mankind is a creation of the Almighty then who created HIM?
            So, all belief in God remains questionable, and his identity
            as absurd. Canaus suggested suicide the best reaction to
            absurdity though it was not very effective and potent in result.
            Critics support an altogether different philosophy. They
(20)      believe that instead of ending a purposeless life one
            should learn the art of coping with or retaliating against
            this lack of purpose and this should act as a motivation to
            mankind to live a life full of free will. Some consider this
            philosophy to be haughty because if the purpose of life
(25)      cannot be seen distinctly it does not mean that its existence
            is challenged.
            The absurdist drama’s role was not to dispirit the audience
            with adverse feelings but to give them a translucent picture
            of actuality so that they could comprehend their own
(30)      purpose in life. This theatre came after the Second World
            War. Its roots were embedded in existentialism. This form
            catered to the rationally inexplicable that is often called
            Absurd. This style caught the audience fascination a little
            too late because of its illogical approach. The plots often
(35)      diverged from the conventional structure and seemed to
            compass the same events, probably ending at the same
            argument it began with. The colloquy was nit witted and
            the scenic background was unacknowledgable.

Passage 2

            The existentialists showed undoubted love for life. They
            were cynically optimistic because of their inclination to their
            material pursuits. They had a centralized disposition,
            freedom of will and an attitude of self adjudgement, in
(5)        themselves. Sartre, Camus and Beckett all began from this
            philosophy but Beckett later took up as an absurdist. He
            called this world a mound of meaninglessness giving way
            to pessimism.
            But the question arises that if life is so meaningless then
(10)      why are we striving, why are we not resting ironically in
            death. If death is the ultimate motive, why is that we are
            undergoing so much stress. Sartre had no belief in deific
            element. He registered that no essences existed before
            mankind unlike the believers of God who think Almighty
(15)      primarily created the essences of the world and then
            created the human race. Hence existentialism believed
            ‘existence precedes essence’. Sartre being a rigid
            existentialist, believed the precedence of God’s presence
            to be a farce.
(20)      This is how existentialism gave way to Absurdity. If
            existentialists believe in the absence of God then there is
            no purpose or value left, which makes the world an
            unworthy, irrelevant, inanimate and vacant place called
            absurd. These ideas gained precedence when the society
(25)      was facing despondency of World War II. All belief in
            sanctity of life had been shattered.
            Existentialists agreed that all distress and devastations
            make life an ungratified experience. Slowly one loses the
            meaning of life. Hence existentialism helps one in his
(30)      journey and in scanning the real self and personal meaning
            of life. The existentialists did not want any power or beliefs
            overpower this motive because these could hamper
            individualism and suppress human desire. Existentialists
            believe that personal judgment predestined a person’s
(35)      fellowship either to an autocrat’s religion or to a secular
           free will.

 

  1. Their life's positivity came from their belief in free will and marked individuality.

  2. Mostly existentialists were insane in their mindless pursuit of optimism.

  3. They were the cheerful youth with an open mind.

  4. They believed industriousness to be the cornerstone of optimistic outlook.

  5. They believed in God and expected him to improve their destiny.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Essentialists believed in free will. So they were not pessimistic like absurdists. They enjoyed all material pursuits.

Multiple choice

Which of the following can be directly inferred from Passage 1?

Answer the questions based on the following passages.

Passage 1                               

            Absurdity is a conjoining theme to existentialism. It is a
            concept which rises with a contrast between two aspects
            of human need and the fallacious quietness of the world.
            It’s true that mankind survives in a world that is and will
(5)        always be inimical and detached towards its requirements.
            The universe will never cater to humanity as the latter wants
            to. The non believers believe that people create legends or
            unrealistic pictures of God to fill this hollowness in an
            endeavor to satisfy their faith.
(10)      Basically absurdism is not an existentialist outlook. Its
            potent idea surfaces around the assumption that everything
            must have an intention which could give a reason to survive.
            But if every achieved height has a higher aim ahead, what
            is the purpose of the one that has been achieved? If all
(15)      mankind is a creation of the Almighty then who created HIM?
            So, all belief in God remains questionable, and his identity
            as absurd. Canaus suggested suicide the best reaction to
            absurdity though it was not very effective and potent in result.
            Critics support an altogether different philosophy. They
(20)      believe that instead of ending a purposeless life one
            should learn the art of coping with or retaliating against
            this lack of purpose and this should act as a motivation to
            mankind to live a life full of free will. Some consider this
            philosophy to be haughty because if the purpose of life
(25)      cannot be seen distinctly it does not mean that its existence
            is challenged.
            The absurdist drama’s role was not to dispirit the audience
            with adverse feelings but to give them a translucent picture
            of actuality so that they could comprehend their own
(30)      purpose in life. This theatre came after the Second World
            War. Its roots were embedded in existentialism. This form
            catered to the rationally inexplicable that is often called
            Absurd. This style caught the audience fascination a little
            too late because of its illogical approach. The plots often
(35)      diverged from the conventional structure and seemed to
            compass the same events, probably ending at the same
            argument it began with. The colloquy was nit witted and
            the scenic background was unacknowledgable.

Passage 2

            The existentialists showed undoubted love for life. They
            were cynically optimistic because of their inclination to their
            material pursuits. They had a centralized disposition,
            freedom of will and an attitude of self adjudgement, in
(5)        themselves. Sartre, Camus and Beckett all began from this
            philosophy but Beckett later took up as an absurdist. He
            called this world a mound of meaninglessness giving way
            to pessimism.
            But the question arises that if life is so meaningless then
(10)      why are we striving, why are we not resting ironically in
            death. If death is the ultimate motive, why is that we are
            undergoing so much stress. Sartre had no belief in deific
            element. He registered that no essences existed before
            mankind unlike the believers of God who think Almighty
(15)      primarily created the essences of the world and then
            created the human race. Hence existentialism believed
            ‘existence precedes essence’. Sartre being a rigid
            existentialist, believed the precedence of God’s presence
            to be a farce.
(20)      This is how existentialism gave way to Absurdity. If
            existentialists believe in the absence of God then there is
            no purpose or value left, which makes the world an
            unworthy, irrelevant, inanimate and vacant place called
            absurd. These ideas gained precedence when the society
(25)      was facing despondency of World War II. All belief in
            sanctity of life had been shattered.
            Existentialists agreed that all distress and devastations
            make life an ungratified experience. Slowly one loses the
            meaning of life. Hence existentialism helps one in his
(30)      journey and in scanning the real self and personal meaning
            of life. The existentialists did not want any power or beliefs
            overpower this motive because these could hamper
            individualism and suppress human desire. Existentialists
            believe that personal judgment predestined a person’s
(35)      fellowship either to an autocrat’s religion or to a secular
           free will.

 

  1. Absurdism is an existentialist outlook that questions the 'being' of things.

  2. Mankind survives in an attached and an animated world which caters to its requirements.

  3. Anti-absurdists believe that a purposeless life should be a motivational factor for a free willed life.

  4. An absurdist drama's purpose was to show the picture of actuality which would be the generalization for the entire audience.

  5. The colloquy of an absurdirst drama was interspersed with scenic background that was appreciated by the audience.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

(C) can be directly inferred from paragraph 3 (lines 22-23).

Multiple choice

The Transcendentalist Movement believed in all of the following except ____________.

Directions: Answer the question based on the following passage.

The Transcendentalist movement was a reaction against 18th century rationalism and a manifestation of the general humanitarian trend of 19th century thought. The movement was based on a fundamental belief in the unity of the world and God. The soul of each individual was thought to be identical with the world -- a microcosm of the world itself. The doctrine of self- reliance and individualism developed through the belief in the identification of the individual soul with God.

Transcendentalism was intimately connected with Concord, a small New England village 32 kilometers west of Boston. Concord was the first inland settlement of the original Massachusetts Bay Colony. Surrounded by forest, it was and remains a peaceful town close enough to Boston's lectures, bookstores, and colleges to be intensely cultivated, but far enough away to be serene. Concord was the site of the first battle of the American Revolution, and Ralph Waldo Emerson's poem commemorating the battle, "Concord Hymn," has one of the most famous opening stanzas in American literature:

 By the rude bridge that arched the flood
Their flag to April's breeze unfurled,
Here once the embattled farmers stood
And fired the shot heard round the world. 

Concord was the first rural artist's colony, and the first place to offer a spiritual and cultural alternative to American materialism. It was a place of high-minded conversation and simple living (Emerson and Henry David Thoreau both had vegetable gardens). Emerson, who moved to Concord in 1834, and Thoreau are most closely associated with the town, but the locale also attracted the novelist Nathaniel Hawthorne, the feminist writer Margaret Fuller, the educator (and father of novelist Louisa May Alcott) Bronson Alcott, and the poet William Ellery Channing. The Transcendental Club was loosely organized in 1836 and included, at various times, Emerson, Thoreau, Fuller, Channing, Bronson Alcott, Orestes Brownson (a leading minister), Theodore Parker (abolitionist and minister), and others.

The Transcendentalists published a quarterly magazine, The Dial, which lasted four years and was first edited by Margaret Fuller and later by Emerson. Reform efforts engaged them as well as literature. A number of Transcendentalists were abolitionists, and some were involved in experimental utopian communities such as nearby Brook Farm (described in Hawthorne's The Blithedale Romance) and Fruitlands.

Unlike many European groups, the Transcendentalists never issued a manifesto. They insisted on individual differences -- on the unique viewpoint of the individual. American Transcendental Romantics pushed radical individualism to the extreme. American writers often saw themselves as lonely explorers outside society and convention. The American hero -- like Herman Melville's Captain Ahab, or Mark Twain's Huck Finn, or Edgar Allan Poe's Arthur Gordon Pym -- typically faced risk, or even certain destruction, in the pursuit of metaphysical self-discovery. For the Romantic American writer, nothing was a given. Literary and social conventions, far from being helpful, were dangerous. There was tremendous pressure to discover an authentic literary form, content, and voice -- all at the same time. It is clear from the many masterpieces produced in the three decades before the U.S. Civil War (1861-65) that American writers rose to the challenge. 

 

  1. individual soul is identical with god

  2. self Reliance advocating simple living

  3. inimitability of humans

  4. stress on Self-discovery
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

(2) is the right choice as the 1st part of the choice, i.e. self-reliance is the correct answer but the combination is not correct and can be misleading. As per the given lines: “Concord was the first rural artist's colony, and the first place to offer a spiritual and cultural alternative to American materialism. It was a place of high-minded conversation and simple living (Emerson and Henry David Thoreau both had vegetable gardens).” It can be inferred from this paragraph that Concord was a place of simple living. It is not written anywhere in the passage that the movement advocated simple living. Infact, they stressed on the Individuality of a being.

Multiple choice history amalgamation of peace and non violence jainism jainism jainism, buddhism and ajivika philosophy in tamil nadu

What is Kaivalya?

  1. Kaivalya is a state of solitude, isolation and detachment

  2. Kaivalya is ultimate state of happiness

  3. Kaivalya is ultimate state of sorrow

  4. Kaivalya is ultimate state of misery
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Kaivalya is a state of solitude, isolation, aloneness and detachment. It means freeing yourself from bondage, attachments, worldly desires and getting independence from the cycle of birth and death. A person who achives this state is called a kevalin.

Multiple choice

Where does suffering come from according to Buddhism?

  1. From desire of having things we don’t have.

  2. From desire of not having things we have.

  3. From when you fail a test.

  4. From when you lose a family member.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

According to the Four Noble Truths, the root cause of suffering is craving or attachment to things we do not have or the desire for things to be different than they are.

Multiple choice

What is the significance of U.G. Krishnamurti's philosophy in contemporary thought?

  1. It offers a unique perspective on consciousness and reality

  2. It challenges conventional notions of spirituality and self

  3. It provides insights into the nature of suffering and liberation

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

U.G. Krishnamurti's philosophy has gained significant attention in contemporary thought for its unique perspective on consciousness and reality, its challenge to conventional notions of spirituality and self, and its insights into the nature of suffering and liberation.