ASSIGNMENTS

BDP (Electives) PHILOSOPHY

Course Titles: BPY-001: Indian Philosophy: Part I

BPY-002: Logic: Classical and Symbolic Logic
BPY-003: Ancient and Medieval Western Philosophy
BPY-004: Religions of the World
BPY-005: Indian Philosophy: Part II
BPY-006: Metaphysics
BPY-007: Ethics
BPY-008: Modern Western Philosophy
BPY-009: Contemporary Western Philosophy
BPY-010: Epistemology
BPY-011: Philosophy of Human Person
BPY-012: Philosophy of Science and Cosmology
BPYE-001: Philosophy of Religion
BPYE-002: Tribal and Dalit Philosophy

For July 2017 and January 2018 Sessions

CBCI Chair
Indira Gandhi National Open University
Maidan Garhi, New Delhi – 110 068
Dear Student,
Welcome to IGNOU and the programme of study in philosophy. Those enrolled for July
2017 session must submit these assignments on or before March 2018 and those of you
getting enrolled for January 2018 must submit the assignments on or before August 30, 2018.
Copies of assignments are available on IGNOU website as well.
Assignments are open book examination and we at IGNOU assign 30 per cent weightage to
the assignment while calculating the overall grade for each course. Assignments are to be
hand-written or neatly typed and duly signed on it before its submission in the study centre.
In order to prepare a good set of assignment-responses, you must first of all read the
chapter(s) from which a particular question has been framed. Discuss with your peer-group
and academic counselors or professors who teach you. Prepare a draft, do the necessary
correction on it and then, prepare the final version for submission to the Study Centre.
Make sure that each question answer starts on a new page. For long and medium answers,
ensure that there is an introduction, sub-titles for main body and a conclusion. One line
should be left between each paragraph. Make sure your answers are specific and in your own
words and do not copy from books. Your answers will be exclusively based on the IGNOU
materials. Keep the word limit mentioned against each question. Preparation of assignments
is preparation for your term-end examination. Therefore take the assignments seriously.
You must keep a duplicate/carbon/Xerox copy of your assignment for future reference.
Always take an acknowledgement receipt from the study-centre while submitting your
assignments. Ensure that you read the programme guide carefully which will answer most of
your doubts. Wish you all the best for your studies.

Prof. Nandini Sinha Kapur

(Programme Coordinator)

Date: July 2017

Assignment 1

BPY 001: Indian Philosophy part-1

Note:
i) Answer all five questions
ii) All questions carry equal marks
iii) Answer to question no. 1 and 2 should be in about 400 words each.

1. Write short essays on the moral philosophy of Vidura and the political philosophy of
Bheeshma. 20
OR
How do the Upanishads discuss unity and oneness? Explain. 20

2. Write an essay on the Charvaka metaphysics. 20

OR
Explain how Isha Upanishad attempts to reconcile extreme philosophical views regading life
and reality. 20

3. Answer any two of the following questions in about 200 words each:
a) Describe the meaning and significance of the word “darsana”. 10
b) Explain the means and significance of self-knowledge according to the kathopanishad. 10
c) Write a short essay on the doctrine of dependent origination. 10
d) Can life and religion be distinguished from philosophy? Discuss in the Indian context. 10

4. Answer any four of the following in about 150 words each:

a) How does the Mundaka upanishad explain the nature of Brahman? 5
b) Is Indian philosophy largely pessimistic? 5
c) Explain the difference between Para and Apara Vidya. 5
d) Which are the major schools of Buddhism? 5
e) What are the seven steps of syādvāda? 5
f) How relevant is the concept of bhakti in the Upanishads? 5

5. Write short notes on any five of the following in about 100 words each:
a) Yajna 4
b) Nishkamakarma 4
c) Nirvana 4
d) Rita 4
e) Sunya Vada 4
f) Duhkha 4
g) Avidya 4
h) Hiranyagarbha 4
Assignment – 2

BPY 002: Logic: Classical and Symbolic Logic

Note:
i) Answer all five questions
ii) All questions carry equal marks
iii) Answer to question no. 1 and 2 should be in about 400 words each.

1. Explain various types of propositions. 20

OR
What is a fallacy? Write an essay on various informal fallacies. 20

2. Discuss various arguments presented in favour of and against induction. 20

OR
Trace the History of Symbolic Logic. 20

3. Answer any two of the following questions in about 200 words each:
a) Write short essays on the categorical propositions and distribution of terms. 10
b) Explain various rules of logical division. 10
c) What do you mean by formal proof of validity? Discuss. 10
d) Is Logic a positive science or a normative science? Discuss. 10

4. Answer any four of the following in about 150 words each:

a) What do you understand by denotation and connotation of a term? 5
b) Discuss how Logic and Epistemology are related? 5
c) Distinguish between extension and intension. 5
d) What is a denotative definition? 5
e) Briefly explain the difference between simple and compound statements. 5
f) Distinguish between deductive and inductive logic. 5

5. Write short notes on any five of the following in about 100 words each:
a) Mood 4
b) Concept 4
c) Logical reduction 4
d) Probability 4
e) Modus Tollens 4
f) Inverse Variation 4
g) Logic and Language 4
h) Genus et differentia 4
Assignment – 3

BPY 003: Ancient and Western Medieval Philosophy

Note:
i) Answer all five questions
ii) All questions carry equal marks
iii) Answer to question no. 1 and 2 should be in about 400 words each.

1. Write an essay on the various methods used in western philosophy. 20

OR
How does Aquinas approach the concept of God? Explain the methods that he employed for
proving the existence of God. 20

2. What do you know about the Sophists? Explain the significance of Sophist thought. 20
OR
Explain the allegory of the cave. 20

3. Answer any two of the following questions in about 200 words each:
a) Is there a difference between wisdom and knowledge? Discuss. 10
b) Explain Plotinus‟ position on religion and salvation of the soul. 10
c) Write a short essay on the philosophy of Pythagoras. 10
d) Discuss Zeno‟s arguments against Plurality. 10

4. Answer any four of the following in about 150 words each:

a) How does Augustine approach the problem of evil? 5
b) Differentiate between objectivism and subjectivism. 5
c) Describe the „union of opposites‟ in the philosophy of Heraclitus. 5
d) What is known as Ockham‟s razor? 5
e) Write a short note about Cynicism. 5
f) What is the importance of philosophy? 5

5. Write short notes on any five of the following in about 100 words each:
a) Socratic Method 4
b) Agnosticism 4
c) Matter and form 4
d) Natural law 4
e) Myth 4
f) Being 4
g) Rhetoric 4
h) Individuation 4
Assignment – 4

BPY 004 - Religions of the World

Note:
i) Answer all five questions
ii) All questions carry equal marks
iii) Answer to question no. 1 and 2 should be in about 400 words each.

1. Elaborate various metaphysical theories of religion like theism, deism and pantheism. 20
OR
How do you approach the reality of religious pluralism? 20

2. Explain in detail the four noble truths of Budhism. 20

OR
What do you know about Zoroastrian religion? Explain its notions of world and man. 20

3. Answer any two of the following questions in about 200 words each:
a) Explain the fundamental beliefs of Islam. 10
b) Is religion and morality related? Discuss. 10
c) Explain the external elements of religion. 10
d) Write a short essay on the Hindu ethics. 10

4. Answer any four of the following in about 150 words each:

a) Explain the meaning and significance of Tao. 5
b) How does Jainism view karma? 5
c) What do you know about anekanta vada? 5
d) What is beatitudes or the sermon on the mountain? 5
e) Describe the social philosophy of Confucius. 5
f) Write a short note on the Guru Granth Sahib. 5

5. Write short notes on any five of the following in about 100 words each:
a) Kami 4
b) Mystery 4
c) Shamanism 4
d) Ratna-traya 4
e) Yin – Yang 4
f) Hajj 4
g) Revelation 4
h) Sangat 4
Assignment – 5

BPY – 005: Indian Philosophy - Part II

Note:
i) Answer all five questions
ii) All questions carry equal marks
iii) Answer to question no. 1 and 2 should be in about 400 words each.

1. Write an essay on the Nyaya epistemology. 20

OR
Explain the metaphysical categories and the notion of liberation as discussed in the Advaita
Vedanta. 20

2. Write a detailed essay on the philosophy of Vivekananda. 20

OR
Discuss about the different sects of Saivism. Write a detailed note on Saiva Siddhanta. 20

3. Answer any two of the following questions in about 200 words each:
a) Explain the eight fold path of Yoga. 10
b) Explain the eternal and non-eternal substances as presented by Vaisesika. 10
c) What are the proofs presented for the existence of Prakriti? Explain the gunas of Prakriti.
10
d) Examine the epistemology of the Dvaita School of Vedanta. 10

4. Answer any four of the following in about 150 words each:

a) Describe the doctrine of asatkaryavada. 5
b) What is svatah pramanyavada? 5
c) Briefly explain the Characteristics of Bhakti Movement. 5
d) Discuss briefly the ethical teachings of Radhakrishnan. 5
e) Describe the characteristics of Vedanta. 5
f) How is substance (dravya) explained in Visistadvaita? 5

5. Write short notes on any five of the following in about 100 words each:
a) Ahamkara 4
b) Anirvacaniya Khyativada 4
c) Alwars 4
d) Saguna Brahman 4
e) Satyagraha 4
f) Qadriya order of Sufism 4
g) Kabir 4
h) “Back to the Vedas” 4
Assignment – 6

BPY – 006: Metaphysics

Note:
i) Answer all five questions
ii) All questions carry equal marks
iii) Answer to question no. 1 and 2 should be in about 400 words each.

1. Explain the concept of freedom. Discuss the problem of free will. 20

OR
Write brief notes on the prominent western metaphysical methods. 20

2. Discuss how the notion of being is approached in the modern and contemporary western
philosophy. 20
OR
Explain matter and form as potency and act. 20

3. Answer any two of the following questions in about 200 words each:
a) What is change? Mention different kinds of change. 10
b) Explain the fundamental metaphysical notions discussed in the Upanishads. 10
c) Write a short essay on the material and formal objects of Metaphysics. 10
d) Explain substance and accidents. How are they united? 10

4. Answer any four of the following in about 150 words each:

a) Give the etymological meaning of metaphysics. 5
b) How does Gabriel Marcel present the concept of person? 5
c) What do you understand by the principle of identity? 5
d) What is justification condition? 5
e) Describe the problem of one and many. 5
f) Briefly explain the problem of falsity. 5

5. Write short notes on any five of the following in about 100 words each:
a) Skepticism 4
b) Efficient cause 4
c) Potency 4
d) Analogy 4
e) Hylemorphism 4
f) Freedom 4
g) Knowledge as relation 4
h) Individuation 4
Assignment – 7

BPY – 007: Ethics

Note:
i) Answer all five questions
ii) All questions carry equal marks
iii) Answer to question no. 1 and 2 should be in about 400 words each.

1. Discuss the main features of the ethics of Vievkanada. 20

OR
Is freedom of will fundamental to Kantian Ethics? Explain in detail. 20

2. Write a detailed note on the ethics of Jainism and Buddhism. 20

OR
Make a critical analysis of natural law. 20

3. Answer any two of the following questions in about 200 words each:
a) What do you know about meta-ethics? 10
b) Why should one be moral? 10
c) Write a short essay on the ethical teachings of Brahma Samaj? 10
d) Is pleasure the end of human life? Discuss. 10

4. Answer any four of the following in about 150 words each:

a) What are the factors that determine morality of human acts? 5
b) Write a short note on the Pythagorian ethics. 5
c) What do you know about hedonistic calculus? 5
d) Name the seven sins described by Gandhi? 5
e) What are the causes of terrorism? 5
f) Does capitalism leads to violence? 5

5. Write short notes on any five of the following in about 100 words each:
a) Knowledge is virtue 4
b) Samanya dharma 4
c) Eudaimonia 4
d) Principle of mean 4
e) Moral dilemma 4
f) Mercy killing 4
g) Ethics of capability 4
h) Four cardinal virtues of Plato 4
Assignment – 8

BPY – 008: Modern Western Philosophy

Note:
i) Answer all five questions
ii) All questions carry equal marks
iii) Answer to question no. 1 and 2 should be in about 400 words each.

1. Explain the major characteristics of modern thought. 20

OR
Write an essay on Spinoza‟s understanding of God and Nature. 20

2. Critically examine Locke‟s theory of knowledge. 20

OR
Discuss Kantian ethics in detail. 20

3. Answer any two of the following questions in about 200 words each:
a) Discuss the significance of enlightenment for the development of philosophy. 10
b) Explain mind body problem with reference to the Cartesian system. 10
c) Is this world the “best of all possible worlds”? Explain. 10
d) Write a short essay on Hegel‟s organic theory of truth and reality. 10

4. Answer any four of the following in about 150 words each:

a) What is the meaning of positivism? 5
b) What is intuitive knowledge? 5
c) How does Berkeley refute materialism? 5
d) Present the cosmological argument for the existence of God. 5
e) Describe the salient features of Comte‟s religion of Humanity. 5
f) “Whatever begins to exist must have a cause” – Explain. 5

5. Write short notes on any five of the following in about 100 words each:
a) Humanism 4
b) Skepticism 4
c) Innate Idea 4
d) Tractatus theologico-politicus 4
e) Deconstruction 4
f) Monad 4
g) Dialectical Materialism 4
h) Subjective Idealism 4
Assignment – 9

BPY 009: Contemporary Western Philosophy

Note:
i) Answer all five questions
ii) All questions carry equal marks
iii) Answer to question no. 1 and 2 should be in about 400 words each.

1. Write a detailed essay on the Husserlian phenomenology. 20

OR
Explain the factors that characterised the post-modern age. How does it critique the modern
thought? 20

2. Examine the contributions of Habermas towards critical theory. 20

OR
Write short notes on the major themes discussed in the philosophy of Wittgenstein. 20

2. Answer any two of the following questions in about 200 words each:
a) Discuss Sartre‟s understanding of freedom and its implications. 10
b) Explain the common themes discussed in Poststructuralism. 10
c) How does Heidegger situate Dasein as a being in the world? Explain. 10
d) Discuss Nietzsche‟s presentation of “will to power”. 10

3. Answer any four of the following in about 150 words each:

a) How does Marcel look at intersubjectivity? 5
b) What do you know about alienated labour? 5
c) What is Camus‟ understanding of „absurdity‟? 5
d) Describe verifiability theory of meaning. 5
e) Explain briefly the three stages of existence in the philosophy of Kierkegaard. 5
f) What is ordinary language philosophy? 5

4. Write short notes on any five of the following in about 100 words each:
a) Intentionality 4
b) Morphology 4
c) Philosophy of Leap 4
d) Dogmatism 4
e) Atomic facts 4
f) Pragmatism 4
g) Care 4
h) Super ego 4
Assignment – 10

BPY 010: EPISTEMOLOGY

Note:
i) Answer all five questions
ii) All questions carry equal marks
iii) Answer to question no. 1 and 2 should be in about 400 words each.

1. How is perception looked at by various Indian schools of thought as a source of

knowledge? 20
OR
Make a critical evaluation of the classical theories of truth. 20

2. Define inference. What are the kinds of inference? Explain. 20

OR
How do rationalists and empiricists differ in their understanding of mind mirroring reality?
Explain. 20

3. Answer any two of the following questions in about 200 words each:
a) Explain the structure of Anumana with an example. 10
b) Discuss the constructivist approach towards perception. 10
c) Was idealism of Hegel a reaction to Kant‟s rejection of Noumena? Discuss. 10
d) Discuss the universality of truth. 10

4. Answer any four of the following in about 150 words each:

a) How does belief become knowledge? 5
b) How do you explain the concept skepticism? 5
c) Describe the semantic theory of truth. 5
d) What are the implications of naturalized epistemology? 5
e) What do you understand by Hume‟s fork? 5
f) What is the significance of foundationalism? 5

5. Write short notes on any five of the following in about 100 words each:
a) Epistemic justification 4
b) Relativism 4
c) Inductive generalization 4
d) Syllogism 4
e) Certainty 4
f) Synthetic-a priori judgments 4
g) Sabda 4
h) Communicative rationality 4
Assignment – 11

BPY 011: Philosophy of Human Person

Note:
i) Answer all five questions
ii) All questions carry equal marks
iii) Answer to question no. 1 and 2 should be in about 400 words each.

1. Explain various evolutionary theories about the origin of human person. 20

OR
Do you think determinism is the norm? Is it possible to demonstrate freedom of will? 20

2. Discuss the significance of understanding human person as an embodied being. 20

OR
Present arguments for and against transmigration of souls. 20

3. Answer any two of the following questions in about 200 words each:
a) Briefly explain the concepts of Atman and Brahman. 10
b) Make a critical analysis of the extraterrestrial origin of human person. 10
c) How does Levinas understand human inter-subjectivity? 10
d) Discuss various reasons for considering human person as a spiritual being. 10

4. Answer any four of the following in about 150 words each:

a) What is the importance of the study of human person? 5
b) How is human person understood in the Confucian thought? 5
c) What is the expressive function of human language? 5
d) What do you understand by human cultural evolution? 5
e) Is human intellect is extrinsically dependent on matter? 5
f) What are the elements of human culture? 5

5. Write short notes on any five of the following in about 100 words each:
a) Inter-Subjectivity 4
b) Homo Sapiens 4
c) Resuscitation 4
d) Empathy 4
e) Gender Stereotypes 4
f) Responsibility 4
g) Human Rights 4
h) Immortality 4
Assignment – 12

BPY 012: Philosophy of Science and Cosmology

Note:
i) Answer all five questions
ii) All questions carry equal marks
iii) Answer to question no. 1 and 2 should be in about 400 words each.

1. Define philosophy of science. How is philosophy different and related to science? Explain.
20
OR
Make a critical evaluation of Logical Positivism. 20

2. Write an essay on the methods used in science with special reference to Newton‟s
understanding of a scientific method. 20
OR
Explain the causes of uncertainty and discuss the philosophical consequences of uncertainty
principle. 20

3. Answer any two of the following questions in about 200 words each:
a) Explain the purpose and importance of Cosmology. 10
b) Explain Plato‟s views on the origin and development of the universe. 10
c) Can we call the pre-socratic thinkers as scientists? Do they have something to contribute to
modern science? Explain. 10
d) What is a myth? How is it related to philosophy and science? 10

4. Answer any four of the following in about 150 words each:

a) Why is Roger Bacon important in the history of experimental science? 5
b) What should be the aim of science according to Larry Laudan? 5
c) What do you understand by the dual nature of matter? 5
d) What should be the area of inquiry in philosophy of science according to the logical
positivists? 5
e) What do you understand by experimental law? 5
f) How does relativity refute monism? 5

5. Write short notes on any five of the following in about 100 words each:
a) Inertial system 4
b) Falsifiability 4
c) Skepticism 4
d) Quantum Physics 4
e) Hypothesis 4
f) Multiple universes 4
g) Cosmogony 4
h) Frame of reference 4
Assignment – 13

BPYE-01: Philosophy of Religion

Note:
i) Answer all five questions
ii) All questions carry equal marks
iii) Answer to question no. 1 and 2 should be in about 400 words each.

1. Explain the idea of interreligious dialogue. What attitudes are essential for religions to
enter and sustain genuine inter-religious dialogues? 20
OR
Explain various forms of atheism and agnosticism. Present arguments for and against them.
20

2. Explain different non-assertive interpretations of religious language. 20

OR
Write an essay on the traditional arguments placed for the existence of god. 20

3. Answer any two of the following questions in about 200 words each:
a) How does Marx approach the question of religion? Explain. 10
b) How is religious feeling different from the feeling of the sublime? Explain. 10
c) What do you understand by sacred languages? Explain various components of religious
language. 10
d) Explain religious experience as the internal aspect of religion. 10

4. Answer any four of the following in about 150 words each:

a) Discuss Durkheim‟s understanding of religion. 5
b) Are theological statements testable? 5
c) What do you understand by God‟s omnipotence? 5
d) Describe Berkeley's position on the the problem of God‟s existence? 5
e) How is the anthropological theory of the origin of religion formulated? 5
f) What are the difficulties faced in the defining of religion? 5

5. Write short notes on any five of the following in about 100 words each:
a) Substance 4
b) Category of the Holy 4
c) Totemism 4
d) Emanation 4
e) Religious antagonism 4
f) Sacred 4
g) Philosophy of Religion 4
h) Innate idea of God 4
Assignment – 14

BPYE 002: Tribal and Dalit Philosophy

Note:
i) Answer all five questions
ii) All questions carry equal marks
iii) Answer to question no. 1 and 2 should be in about 400 words each.

1. How does a worldview function as a window to the cultural life-world of a people?

Explain with special reference to the creation accounts of the Munda people. 20
OR
Explain various social and moral customs that help in the preservation of the purity of the
tribe. 20

2. Why we consider violence against Dalits as structural? Explain various structures of

violence against the Dalits. 20
OR
Explain why the Gramscian concepts of civil society and hegemony are limited when it
comes to their application in the Indian situation. 20

3. Answer any two of the following questions in about 200 words each:
a) Explain how religious myths are exemplary sources of moral behaviour among the tribals.
10
b) Explain the major themes discussed in tribal folklore? 10
c) Discuss various socio-religious rites among the tribes. 10
d) How is the untouchables‟ outlook on life and world influenced by their being exploited
and treated as impure? 10

4. Answer any four of the following in about 150 words each:

a) What do you understand by Cosmotheandrism? 5
b) How is evil understood by the tribals? 5
c) Briefly discuss the relevance of subaltern historiography. 5
d) What is the difference between class and caste? 5
e) How do tribal communities experience change in their culture? 5
f) Why is the concept of destruction in the tribal creation accounts important today? 5

5. Write short notes on any five of the following in about 100 words each:
a) Dalit 4
b) Homogenous people 4
c) Clan 4
d) Marginalsation 4
e) Casteism 4
f) Untouchables 4
g) Bringing in the „shade‟ 4
h) Harijan 4