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Philosophy Optional Syllabus for UPSC 2025
Complete syllabus guide for Philosophy Optional in UPSC Civil Services Examination. Master both papers with our comprehensive study material.
Philosophy as an optional subject requires deep understanding of both Western and Indian philosophical traditions, along with their practical applications in socio-political contexts and religious thought. This comprehensive syllabus covers major philosophical schools, thinkers, and concepts essential for UPSC preparation.
Paper I: History and Problems of Philosophy
Western Philosophy
1. Plato and Aristotle
- Ideas
- Substance
- Form and Matter
- Causation
- Actuality and Potentiality
2. Rationalism(Descartes, Spinoza, Leibniz)
- Cartesian Method and Certain Knowledge
- Substance
- God
- Mind-Body Dualism
- Determinism and Freedom
3. Empiricism(Locke, Berkeley, Hume)
- Theory of Knowledge
- Substance and Qualities
- Self and God
- Scepticism
4. Kant
- Possibility of Synthetic a priori Judgments
- Space and Time
- Categories
- Ideas of Reason
- Antinomies
- Critique of Proofs for the Existence of God
5. Hegel
- Dialectical Method
- Absolute Idealism
Modern Western Philosophy
6. Moore, Russell and Early Wittgenstein
- Defence of Commonsense
- Refutation of Idealism
- Logical Atomism
- Logical Constructions
- Incomplete Symbols
- Picture Theory of Meaning
- Saying and Showing
7. Logical Positivism
- Verification Theory of Meaning
- Rejection of Metaphysics
- Linguistic Theory of Necessary Propositions
8. Later Wittgenstein
- Meaning and Use
- Language-games
- Critique of Private Language
9. Phenomenology(Husserl)
- Method
- Theory of Essences
- Avoidance of Psychologism
10. Existentialism(Kierkegaard, Sartre, Heidegger)
- Existence and Essence
- Choice, Responsibility and Authentic Existence
- Being-in-the-world and Temporality
11. Quine and Strawson
- Critique of Empiricism
- Theory of Basic Particulars and Persons
Indian Philosophy
12. Carvaka
- Theory of Knowledge
- Rejection of Transcendent Entities
13. Jainism
- Theory of Reality
- Saptabhanginaya
- Bondage and Liberation
14. Schools of Buddhism
- Pratityasamutpada
- Ksanikavada
- Nairatmyavada
15. Nyaya—Vaisesika
- Theory of Categories
- Theory of Appearance
- Theory of Pramana
- Self, Liberation
- God and Proofs for Existence
- Theory of Causation
- Atomistic Theory of Creation
16-17. Samkhya and Yoga
- Prakrti and Purusa
- Causation and Liberation
- Citta and Cittavrtti
- Klesas
- Samadhi
- Kaivalya
18-19. Mimamsa and Vedanta
- Theory of Knowledge
- Brahman and Isvara
- Atman and Jiva
- Jagat, Maya, Avidya
- Adhyasa
- Moksa
- Aprthaksiddhi
- Pancavidhabheda
20. Aurobindo
- Evolution
- Involution
- Integral Yoga
Paper II
Socio-Political Philosophy
1. Social and Political Ideals
- Equality
- Justice
- Liberty
2. Sovereignty
- Austin
- Bodin
- Laski
- Kautilya
3-4. Individual, State and Government
- Rights and Duties
- Accountability
- Forms of Government
- Monarchy
- Theocracy
- Democracy
5-6. Political Ideologies
- Anarchism
- Marxism
- Socialism
- Humanism
- Secularism
- Multi-culturalism
7-8. Social Issues
- Crime and Punishment
- Corruption
- Mass Violence
- Genocide
- Capital Punishment
- Development
- Social Progress
9-10. Discrimination
- Gender Discrimination
- Female Foeticide
- Property Rights
- Empowerment
- Caste Discrimination
- Gandhi and Ambedkar
Philosophy of Religion
1-2. God
- Notions and Attributes
- Relation to Man and World
- Proofs for Existence
- Critique of Proofs
3-4. Fundamental Concepts
- Problem of Evil
- Soul
- Immortality
- Rebirth
- Liberation
5-6. Faith and Experience
- Reason
- Revelation
- Faith
- Religious Experience
- Nature and Object
7-8. Religion and Morality
- Religion without God
- Religion and Morality
9-10. Religious Language
- Religious Pluralism
- Absolute Truth
- Analogical and Symbolic
- Cognitivist and Non-cognitive
Study Tips:
1. Focus on understanding core philosophical concepts and their evolution through different schools of thought.
2. Practice connecting theoretical concepts with practical applications in social and political contexts.
3. Develop a comparative understanding between Western and Indian philosophical traditions.
4. Pay special attention to contemporary philosophical debates and their relevance to modern society.
Recommended Study Resources
Essential Books
- • A History of Western Philosophy - Bertrand Russell
- • Indian Philosophy - S. Radhakrishnan
- • Sophie's World - Jostein Gaarder
- • The Story of Philosophy - Will Durant
- • Critical History of Western Philosophy - D.J. O'Connor
Primary Texts
- • Republic - Plato
- • Metaphysics - Aristotle
- • Meditations - Descartes
- • Critique of Pure Reason - Kant
- • Being and Nothingness - Sartre
Indian Philosophy Texts
- • The Principal Upanishads
- • Bhagavad Gita
- • Buddhist Philosophy in Theory and Practice
- • The Essential Vedanta
- • The Six Systems of Indian Philosophy
Online Resources
- • Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
- • Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy
- • PhilPapers
- • Philosophy Now
- • Philosophy Talk
Study Materials
- • Previous Years' Question Papers
- • Philosophy Study Notes
- • Philosophical Terms Glossary
- • Timeline of Philosophical Thoughts
- • Comparative Philosophy Charts