UPSC Optional Subject Syllabus: Philosophy | Philosophy Optional Notes for UPSC PDF Download

Paper - I: History and Problems of Philosophy

1. Western Philosophy

• Plato and Aristotle: Ideas; Substance; Form and Matter; Causation; Actuality and Potentiality
• Rationalism (Descartes, Spinoza, Leibniz): Cartesian Method and Certain Knowledge; Substance; God; Mind-Body Dualism; Determinism and Freedom
• Empiricism (Locke, Berkeley, Hume): Theory of Knowledge; Substance and Qualities; Self and God; Scepticism
• Kant: Possibility of Synthetic a priori Judgments; Space and Time; Categories; Ideas of Reason; Antinomies; Critique of Proofs for the Existence of God
• Hegel: Dialectical Method; Absolute Idealism
• Moore, Russell, and Early Wittgenstein: Defence of Commonsense; Refutation of Idealism; Logical Atomism; Logical Constructions; Incomplete Symbols; Picture Theory of Meaning; Saying and Showing
• Logical Positivism: Verification Theory of Meaning; Rejection of Metaphysics; Linguistic Theory of Necessary Propositions
• Later Wittgenstein: Meaning and Use; Language-games; Critique of Private Language
• Phenomenology (Husserl): Method; Theory of Essences; Avoidance of Psychologism
• Existentialism (Kierkegaard, Sartre, Heidegger): Existence and Essence; Choice, Responsibility, and Authentic Existence; Being-in-the-world and Temporality
• Quine and Strawson: Critique of Empiricism; Theory of Basic Particulars and Persons

2. Indian Philosophy

• Cârvâka: Theory of Knowledge; Rejection of Transcendent Entities
• Jainism: Theory of Reality; Saptabhanginaya; Bondage and Liberation
• Schools of Buddhism: Pratityasamutpada; Ksanikavada; Nairatmyavada
• Nyāya-Vaiśeṣika: Theory of Categories; Theory of Appearance; Theory of Pramana; Self; Liberation; God; Proofs for the Existence of God; Theory of Causation; Atomistic Theory of Creation
• Sâmkhya: Prakriti; Purusa; Causation; Liberation
• Yoga: Citta; Cittavrtti; Klesas; Samadhi; Kaivalya
• Mimâmsâ: Theory of Knowledge
• Schools of Vedânta: Brahman; Isvara; Atman; Jiva; Jagat; Maya; Avidya; Adhyasa; Moksa; Aprthaksiddhi; Pancavidhabheda
• Aurobindo: Evolution; Involution; Integral Yoga

Paper - II

1. Socio-Political Philosophy

• Social and Political Ideals: Equality, Justice, Liberty
• Sovereignty: Austin, Bodin, Laski, Kautilya
• Individual and State: Rights; Duties and Accountability
• Forms of Government: Monarchy; Theocracy and Democracy
• Political Ideologies: Anarchism, Marxism, and Socialism
• Humanism; Secularism; Multiculturalism
• Crime and Punishment: Corruption, Mass Violence, Genocide, Capital Punishment
• Development and Social Progress
• Gender Discrimination: Female Foeticide, Land and Property Rights; Empowerment
• Caste Discrimination: Gandhi and Ambedkar

2. Philosophy of Religion

• Notions of God: Attributes; Relation to Man and the World (Indian and Western)
• Proofs for the Existence of God and their Critique: Problem of Evil (Indian and Western)
• Soul: Immortality; Rebirth and Liberation
• Reason, Revelation, and Faith
• Religious Experience: Nature and Object (Indian and Western)
• Mysticism
• Religion without God
• Religion and Morality
• Religious Pluralism and the Problem of Absolute Truth
• Nature of Religious Language: Analogical and Symbolic; Cognitivist and Non-cognitive

Preparation Tips for Philosophy Optional

• Understand the Syllabus: Familiarize yourself with Paper I (History and Problems of Philosophy) and Paper II (Socio-Political Philosophy and Philosophy of Religion) to prioritize key thinkers and concepts.
• Use Standard Resources: Refer to books like "A Critical Survey of Indian Philosophy" by C.D. Sharma, "An Introduction to Western Philosophy" by Anthony Flew, and "Contemporary Indian Philosophy" by Basant Kumar Lal.
• Focus on Key Thinkers: Study core philosophers like Plato, Kant, Hegel, and Indian schools (Nyaya, Vedanta) thoroughly, noting their key doctrines.
• Practice Answer Writing: Write precise, logical answers with clear introductions, arguments, and conclusions, using philosophical terminology.
• Link with Current Affairs: Relate socio-political philosophy topics (e.g., justice, gender equality) to contemporary issues like government policies or social movements.
• Use Diagrams and Flowcharts: Illustrate concepts like Hegel’s dialectic or Kant’s categories to enhance clarity in answers.
• Revise Regularly: Create concise notes summarizing key philosophies, terms, and thinkers for quick revision.
• Stay Updated: Follow philosophical discussions in journals or platforms like The Hindu’s opinion section for contemporary relevance.