BDP ELECTIVES IN PHILOSOPHY

Assignments

For July 2016 and January 2017 Sessions

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

Last Date of Submission of Assignments to the Study Centre

July, 2016 Session - March 31, 2017
January, 2017 Session - September 30, 2017

School of Interdisciplinary and Trans-disciplinary Studies

Indira Gandhi National Open University
Maidan Garhi, New Delhi 110068
Dear Student,

Welcome to the courses and programme of study in philosophy from IGNOU. You are required to
complete one assignment for each of the courses that you have opted for.

Those enrolled for July 2016 must submit these assignments on or before March 31, 2017
and those of you getting enrolled for January 2017 must submit the assignments on or before
September 30, 2017. Copies of assignments are available in 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 and then do the necessary correction on it. Lastly, prepare the final
version for submission.

Make sure that answer to each question 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. 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 purpose. 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.
The university is planning to revise the BDP Electives (Philosophy) programme. I will appreciate
your suggestions as well as that of your academic counsellors for the proposed revision. You may
mail your comments, suggestions and observations which may be considered for revision by the
expert committee. These may be forwarded to me through e-mail : gthomas@ignou.ac.in

Prof. Gracious Thomas

(Programme Coordinator)

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 BPY 001 : INDIAN PHILOSOPHY PART-I
Assignment
Maximum Marks: 100
Note: (i) Answer all the 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 Buddhist idea of four noble truths with special reference to the theory of
dependent origination. 20
Or
Explain in detail the nature of Brahman and Atman as elaborated in the
Mundaka Upanishad. 20

2. Write a detailed essay on the Jaina metaphysics. 20

Or
Do you think that Indian philosophy is essentially spiritual? Explain. Why is
it often termed as a way of life? 20

3. Answer any two of the following in about 200 words each.

a) Explain the concept of self as seen in the carvaka school of Indian thought. 10
b) Explain Jivan mukti and Videha mukti, and elucidate their differences. 10
c) Illustrate the nature of the Vedic gods in detail. 10
d) Describe briefly the notion of knowledge in Indian philosophy. 10

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

a) Describe the meaning AUM in Prasna Upanishad. 5
b) What do you mean by Akshara Brahman? 5
c) Explain Hedonism. 5
d) What do you understand by Saguna Brahman? 5
e) What is avidya according to the Upanishads? 5
f) How the idea of Rta has been used in Vedic philosophy? Describe. 5

5. Write short notes on any five of the following in about 100 words each.
a) Prajapati 4
b) Pramanas 4
c) Aprara Vidhya 4
d) Subject matter of Yajurveda 4
e) Triratnas 4
f) Asvamedha 4
g) Aranyakas 4
h) Maya 4

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 BPY002 : LOGIC: CLASSICAL AND SYMBOLIC LOGIC
Assignment
Maximum Marks: 100
Note: (i) Answer all the 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 induction reasoning. Give the main philosophical arguments raised for and
against induction by various philosophers. 20
Or
What do you understand by Truth Function? Elaborate basic Truth Functions in detail
with suitable examples. 20

2. Construct formal proof of validity for the following: 20

Or
What do you mean by fallacies in logic? Describe various informal fallacies in detail. 20

3. Answer any two of the following in about 200 words each.

a) Explain distribution of terms with suitable examples. 10
b) Elaborate the relationship between Logic and Mathematics. 10
c) Describe Dilemma. What are the different kinds of dilemma? Explain. 10
d) Explain the rules of logical division. 10

4. A nswer any four of the following in about 150 words each.

a) Distinguish between extension and intension. 5
b) Illustrate the limitations of Aristotelian logic. 5
c) What do you understand by truth and validity? Describe. 5
d) How do you understand by Falsification? Comment. 5
e) Explain Conversion and Obversion. 5
f) Describe Figure and Mood with example. 5

5. Write short notes on any five of the following in about 100 words each.
a) Contradictory 4
b) Connotative definition 4
c) Truth Table 4
d) Categorical Syllogism 4
e) Formal Fallacies 4
f) Definition 4
g) Universal Generalization 4
h) Concept and Terms 4
4
 BPY003 : ANCIENT AND MEDIEVAL WESTERN PHILOSOPHY
Assignment
Maximum Marks: 100
Note: (i) Answer all the five questions.
(ii) All questions carry equal marks.
(iii) Answer to question no. 1 and 2 should be in about 400 words each.

1. Differentiate wisdom from knowledge. Explain wisdom as the horizon in detail. 20

Or
How Parmenides explain the notion of being? Discuss in detail. 20

2. Critically analyze the scope and importance of philosophy. 20

Or
Explain the theory of the union of the opposites in the philosophy
of Heraclitus in detail. 20

3. Answer any two of the following in about 200 words each.

a) Explain Aristotle theory of causation in detail. 10
b) Illustrate Augustines theory of knowledge of the world and God. 10
c) How does Empiricism differ from Rationalism? Explain in detail. 10
d) Explain the ethics of Epicureanism. 10

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

a) How would you describe Socratic Method? 5
b) Distinguish between noumena and phenomena. 5
c) Why did Plato criticize democracy? 5
d) How did Augustine relate faith with reason? 5
e) What do you understand by Ockhams Razor? 5
f) Explain Deconstructionism. 5

5. Write short notes on any five of the following in about 100 words each.
a) Agnosticism 4
b) Stoic ethics 4
c) Problem of Evil 4
d) Virtue 4
e) Sophists 4
f) Knowledge and wisdom 4
g) Transcendental 4
h) Philosophy 4

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 BPY 004 : RELIGIONS OF THE WORLD
Assignment
Maximum Marks: 100
Note: (i) Answer all the 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 foundations of religious belief. 20

Or
Explain the ethical views of Buddhism. How does an ethical life help achieving the
human destiny according to Buddhism? 20

2. Explain the beliefs and practices of Judaism in detail. 20

Or
What is the Hindu idea of Moksha and what are the different paths
leading to it? 20

3. Answer any two of the following in about 200 words each

a) Explain Auguste Comtes understand of religion? 10
b) Illustrate the nature and importance of the religious experience. 10
c) Explain the relationship between morality and religion in detail. 10
d) Write a short essay on Jaina ethics. 10

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

a) How do you understand Karmayoga of Gita? 5
b) What do you know about the concept of salvation in Sikhism? 5
c) Briefly discuss Confucius views on education. 5
d) Describe the concept of the kingdom of God. 5
e) What is the Kalima (six articles of faith) of Islam. 5
f) Mention the four stages of the life of an individual? 5

5. Write short notes on any five of the following in about 100 words each.
a) Decalogue 4
b) Ekam sat vipra bahudha vadanti 4
c) Kami 4
d) langar 4
e) Pantheism 4
f) Five pillars of Islam 4
g) Old Testament and the New Testament 4
h) Totemism 4

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 BPY 005 : INDIAN PHILOPSOPHY PART-II
Assignment
Maximum Marks: 100
Note: (i) Answer all the five questions.
(ii) All questions carry equal marks.
(iii) Answer to question no. 1 and 2 should be in about 400 words each.

1. What is the historical context of modern reform movements? Discuss. 20

Or
Explain the Jaina epistemology with special reference to perception and inference. 20

2. Explain in detail the Vaiseshika metaphysics and the categories. 20

Or
Which are the major schools of vedantic thought? What are the general topics
discussed by those schools? 20

3. Answer any two of the following in about 200 words each.

a) Elaborate proofs for the existence of Prakrti as given by Samkhya. 10
b) Describe the various steps included in the Ashtanga Yoga. 10
c) Explain Ambedkars critique of religion and the caste system. 10
d) Explain Miamasa theory of error (khyativad)? 10

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

a) Describe the concept of maya. 5
b) Distinguish between Kevalapramana and Anupramana. 5
c) Explain the call back to the Vedas? 5
d) What do you understand the concept of sacchidananda in Aurobindo? 5
e) Describe Upamana according to Miamamsa. 5
f) What do you mean by God is truth or truth is God? 5

5. Write short notes on any five of the following in about 100 words each.
a) Shaiva Siddhanta 4
b) Samanya Lakshana 4
c) Jivanmukti and Videhamukti 4
d) Nityavibhuti 4
e) Bhakti movement 4
f) Vaishnavism 4
g) Chishtiya order of Sufism 4
h) Purusha 4

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 BPY006 : METAPHYSICS
Assignment
Maximum Marks: 100
Note: (i) Answer all the 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 nature of freedom and different philosophical positions on the

problem of free will. 20
Or
What is metaphysics? Write an essay on the scope of metaphysics. 20

2. Differentiate between substance and accidents and elucidate the unity of the two. 20
Or
Write a critical essay on Alfred North Whiteheads Metaphysics. 20

3. Answer any two of the following in about 200 words each.

a) Define synthesis? Explain how this method is used in metaphysics. 10
b) Write a short essay on Tagores metaphysics. 10
c) Do you agree that Being is one? Explain briefly. 10
d) What do you understand by the justification and certitude of knowledge? Explain.10

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

a) What is pre-Socratic metaphysics? 5
b) Describe Evil as privation of a necessary good. 5
c) Distinguish between Jiva and Ajiva. 5
d) Define entity and explain it as historico-temporal. 5
e) According to Husserl what is epoche? 5
f) What is the relation between truth and being? 5

5. Write short notes on any five of the following in about 100 words each.
a) Synthetic a priori judgments 4
b) Identity and distinction 4
c) Excluded middle 4
d) Ugliness 4
e) Transcendental deduction 4
f) Dasein 4
g) Tad Ekam 4
h) Atman 4

8
 BPY007 : ETHICS
Assignment
Maximum Marks: 100

Note: (i) Answer all the five questions.

(ii) All questions carry equal marks.
(iii) Answer to question no. 1 and 2 should be in about 400 words each.

1. Do you think that natural law is universal? Critically analyze the theory of
natural Law. 20
OR
Explain ethics as a branch of philosophy. Elaborate the importance of its study. 20

2. Write a detailed essay on the Aristotelian ethics. 20

Or
What are the determining factors of the morality of human acts? Explain the
factors that impede human acts. 20

3. Answer any two of the following in about 200 words each.

a) Explain underlying logic behind the Epicurean ethics. 10
b) Discuss Buddhist approach to suicide. 10
c) Elaborate the practical vedanta of swami Vivekananda? 10
d) Explain the importance of natural reason in Ethics. 10

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

a) According to Plato, what are the cardinal virtues? 5
b) Explain Normative Ethics. 5
c) Differentiate between ought and can. 5
d) What do you understand by Categorical Imperative? 5
e) Distinguish between Voluntary and Involuntary actions. 5
f) What is Utilitarianism? 5

5. Write short notes on any five of the following in about 100 words each.
a) Knowledge is Virtue 4
b) Ahimsa 4
c) Moral Dilemmas 4
d) Euthanasia 4
e) Karma yoga 4
f) Five vows in Jainism 4
g) Violence 4
h) Seven social sins 4
9
 BPY008 : MODERN WESTERN PHILOSOPHY
Assignment
Maximum Marks: 100
Note: (i) Answer all the 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 general characteristics of modern western philosophy in detail? 20

Or
Write a short essay on the Lockean theory of ideas. 20
2 Discuss in detail the concepts of god and world in the philosophy of Spinoza. 20
Or
Elaborate the Cartesian understanding of the relation between mind and
body in detail. 20

3. Answer any two of the following in about 200 words each.

a) What were the aspects of the enlightenment culture and philosophy? 10
b) Explain the theory of pre-established harmony. 10
c) Critically explain Berkeleys theories on knowledge. 10
d) Present a detailed account of the organic theory of Hegel. 10

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

a) Describe Humes idea of self. 5
b) What do you mean by the Religion of Humanity? 5
c) What is Spirit of criticism? 5
d) Distinguish between Noumenon and phenomenon. 5
e) Describe the freedom as the central theme of existentialism. 5
f) What do you understand by synthetic apriori? 5

5. Write short notes on any five of the following in about 100 words each.
a) Absolute 4
b) Surplus value 4
c) Esse est percipi 4
d) Enlightenment 4
e) Deconstruction 4
f) Logical Positivism 4
g) Skepticism 4
h) Dialectical Materialism 4

10
 BPY009 : CONTEMPORARY WESTERN PHILOSOPHY
Assignment
Maximum Marks: 100
Note: (i) Answer all the five questions.
(ii) All questions carry equal marks.
(iii) Answer to question no. 1 and 2 should be in about 400 words each.

1. What were the major thrust areas of logical positivism? And discuss the
Verifiability theory of meaning. 20
OR
Explain the common themes discussed in poststructuralism. Elaborate the
contributions of Michel Foucault to poststructuralism. 20

2. Define post modernism. Critically examine the contributions and

limitations of post modernism. 20
OR
Define existentialism. Who were the major atheistic existentialists and how do they
approach the question of human existence? 20

3. Answer any two of the following in about 200 words each.

a) Do you agree thatwill to power is the core of Nietzsches philosophy? 10
b) Explain the three stages of existence as presented in the philosophy of
Kierkegaard 10
a) Explain briefly the critical theory of Habermas. 10
b) Describe authentic and inauthentic responses to absurdity according to
Albert Camus. 10

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

a) What do you understand by Being-for-itself? 5
b) What is historical materialism? 5
c) Explain Eidetic Reduction. 5
d) Describe Language Game according to Wittgenstein. 5
e) What is historical materialism? 5
f) Explain the concept Alienated Labour. 5

5. Write short notes on any five of the following in about 100 words each.
a) Family Resemblance 4
b) Logical atomism 4
c) Analytical Philosophy 4
d) Epoche (bracketing) 4
e) Pragmatism 4
f) Phenomenology 4
g) Ricoers concept of the text 4
h) Instrumentalism 4

11
 BPY 010 : EPISTEMOLOGY
Assignment
Maximum Marks: 100
Note: (i) Answer all the 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 mental perception different from other sensory perceptions? Explain the
theory of perception according to Nyaya. 20
OR
How Kierkegaard attacks on the objectivity of knowledge? Explain in detail. 20

2. Write an essay on the general nature and arguments of feminist epistemology. 20

OR
Explain methods and justification of knowledge in detail. 20

3. Answer any two of the following in about 200 words each. All
a) Write a short essay on the scope of Epistemology. 10
b) Discuss the role of intellect and senses in human knowing. 10
c) Illustrate the classical theories of truth. 10
d) Explain the controversy between Rationalism and Empiricism. 10

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

a) Explain Coherentism. 5
b) Differentiate between inductive and deductive inference. 5
c) Describe the concept of sphota. 5
d) Define Knowledge as social praxis. 5
e) Describe the contextual continuity between sciences and epistemology. 5
f) What is the Ecological approach to perception? 5

5. Write short notes on any five of the following in about 100 words each.
a) Universality of truth 4
b) Standpoint theory 4
c) Realism 4
d) Naturalized Epistemology 4
e) Aposteriori 4
f) Vyapti 4
g) Copy Theory 4
h) Foundationalism 4

12
 BPY011 : PHILOSOPHY OF HUMAN PERSON
Assignment
Maximum Marks: 100
Note: (i) Answer all the 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 in detail various dimensions of human interdependence. 20

OR
Write an essay on the concept of human person in the major Upanishads. 20

2. Explain briefly the phenomenon of death. Critically narrate the theory for
transmigration? 20
OR
Define philosophy of human person. How is it related to other disciplines
of study? Explain. 20

3. Answer any two of the following in about 200 words each.

a) Explain human person as a being in need of liberation. 10
b) Prove the existence of will and demonstrate of the freedom of the will. 10
c) Explain various arguments offered to prove the immortality of the soul. 10
d) Define culture. How do you understand humans as cultural beings? 10

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

a) What do you understand by Natural Rights? 5
b) Explain gender-based division of labour. 5
c) Describe the idea of Transcendental Freedom. 5
d) Explain the concept of man in Chandogya Upanishad. 5
e) What is Anthropocentrism? 5
f) How do you understand Inter-subjectivity? 5

5. Write short notes on any five of the following in about 100 words each.
a) Cultural evolution 4
b) Rational appetite? 4
c) Nama-Rupa 4
d) Merleau-Pontys understanding of the human body 4
e) Embodiedness 4
f) Vitalism 4
g) Dominant Inclination 4
h) Concept of human person in Jainism 4

13
 BPY012 : PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE AND COSMOLOGY
Assignment
Maximum Marks: 100
Note: (i) Answer all the 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 philosophy of science. How is philosophy different from and

related to science? 20
OR
Explain Aristotles teleological understanding of the universe. How did he perceive
its structure? 20

2. What is quantum theory? What are some of the important philosophical

Implications of quantum theory? 20
OR
Critically evaluate the philosophy of logical positivism. 20

3. Answer any two of the following in about 200 words each.

a) Explain Galileos theory of the universe in detail. 10
b) How is science related to philosophy and myths? Describe. 10
c) What are the different methods used in science? Explain. 10
d) Write a short essay on the Big Bang theory of universe. 10

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

a) Explain Metascience. 5
b) What is Falsifiability? 5
c) What do you mean by Frame of Reference? 5
d) Distinguish between geocentric theory and heliocentric theory. 5
e) Write a short note on verification theory. 5
f) Explain methodological relativism. 5

5. Write short notes on any five of the following in about 100 words each.
a) Steady state theory 4
b) Auxiliary hypothesis 4
c) Methodological relativism 4
d) Velocity 4
e) Method of retroduction 4
f) Pythagorean brotherhood 4
g) Logos 4
h) Death of absolutism 4
14
 BPYE001 : PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION
Assignment
Maximum Marks: 100
Note: (i) Answer all the five questions.
(ii) All questions carry equal marks.
(iii) Answer to question no. 1 and 2 should be in about 400 words each.

1. Are theological statements assertions of facts and testable? Discuss. 20

OR
Define religious pluralism. How do you respond philosophically to
religious pluralism? 20

2. Explain the nature and attributes of God according to the traditional theism. 20
OR
Explain the significance of religious language. What are the three traditional
approaches to religious language? 20

3. Answer any two of the following in about 200 words each.

a) Discuss the arguments in defense of divine eternity. 10
b) How does Rudolf Otto explain the category of holy? Explain. 10
c) What is the nature of religion? Trace the developmental stages of religion. 10
d) Do you think religious fundamentalism and extremism are somehow linked? 10

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

a) What is meant by the socio political origins of religion? 5
b) Describe the etymology of the word religion? 5
c) What is verifiability of theological statements? 5
d) Explain Agnosticism. 5
e) What do you mean by Interfaith Dialogue? 5
f) What is Religious toleration? 5

5. Write short notes on any five of the following in about 100 words each.
a) Symbolic representation 4
b) Jungs views on religion 4
c) Innate idea of God 4
d) Sacred language 4
e) Myth 4
f) Fundamentalism 4
g) Nirvana 4
h) Omnipotence of God 4

15
 BPYE002 : TRIBAL AND DALIT PHILOSOPHY
Assignment
Maximum Marks: 100
Note: (i) Answer all the five questions.
(ii) All questions carry equal marks.
(iii) Answer to question no. 1 and 2 should be in about 400 words each.

1. Throw light on the origin of caste system in the Indian society. What references
do we get from the Indian scriptures regarding caste system? 20
OR
How does a worldview function as the window to the cultural life-world of a people?
Explain in detail the Munda account of life and world. 20

2. What is the Dalit outlook on life and world? How did the philosophical thoughts of
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar influence the Dalit outlook to life and world? 20
OR
Discuss philosophizing in the context of tribal life. Explain philosophy as
tribal wisdom. 20

3. Answer any two of the following in about 200 words each.

a) Can we apply the concept of Hegemony to Dalit politics in India? Discuss. 10
b) Write an essay on the tribal morality. 10
c) Why violence against Dalits is considered as structural violence? 10
d) How do the tribals express their experience of truth, intelligence and wisdom? 10

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

a) What is the difference between class and caste? 5
b) Explain the idea of directed incentives. 5
c) Differentiate between discrimination and alienation. 5
d) What is subaltern historiography? 5
e) How do the tribals give expression to their culture? 5
f) What is your understanding of Deconstruction of Marginalization? 5

5. Write short notes on any five of the following in about 100 words each.
a) Dance ground and bachelors hall 4
b) Colonization of the Life-world of Dalits 4
c) Tribal concept of evil 4
d) Caste system and Casteism 4
e) Rain of fire 4
f) Youth dormitory 4
g) Marginalization of Dalits 4
h) Totemism 4
16