Philosophy Past Papers Analysis

I. Introduction

1. Critically evaluate the pragmatists argue that philosophy has become irrelevant. Do you agree? (2022)

2. Define Philosophy. What is its relationship with religion? (2021)

3. Define Philosophy. What is its relationship with religion? (2020)

4. What is philosophy? Discuss its relation to science. (2019)

5. Define philosophy and explain its main branches. (2018)

II. Philosophical Methods

1. Shed light on Hegel’s illustrious Dialectical Method. What did Hegel prove through it? Why did he need a new philosophical method? (2025)

2. What is Pragmatism? How is it the best method to resolve Old Metaphysical Disputes according to William James? (2025)

3. Discuss any four inductive fallacies with examples. (2022)

4. Critically evaluate Mill's Method of Experimental Inquiry. (2021)

5. ‘Doubt’ is the key point of Cartesian Method. Illuminate. (2020)

6. Discuss Popper's logical method, its merits and demerits. (2019)

7. Work out the weaknesses and strengths of Deductive method. (2018)

8. Discuss key points of Popper’s Fallibilism. (2018)

9. What do you understand by Dialectics? Critically evaluate Hegel's Dialectical Method. (2017)

10. Write short note on following i. Socratic Method (2016)

11. Differentiate between deductive & Inductive methods. (2016)

III. Epistemology

1. Why does Kantian philosophy is known as Copernican Revolution in the history of Western philosophy? Discuss. (2026)

2. Why is Kantian philosophy known as Copernican Revolution in the history of Western philosophy? Discuss. (2026)

3. Explain David Hume’s Theory of Knowledge in detail. How did Hume carry his Empiricism/Scepticism to its logical limits? (2025)

4. Write short note on ‘Transcendentalism’. (2020)

5. Write short note on a Hume’s scepticism (____)

6. Introduce any two of the following: a. Kant b. Bergson c. John Dewey (2019)

7. Discuss the skepticism of Hume in depth. How has it affected his ideas regarding Cause and Self? (2017)

IV. Ontology

1. Why was Shah Wali Allah interested in developing an equilibrium between angelic and animalistic dimensions of man? Discuss with reference to his conception of man. (2026)

2. Why was Shah Wali Allah interested in developing an equilibrium between angelic and animalistic dimensions of man? Discuss with reference to his conception of man. (2026)

3. Explain Heidegger is critical of traditional metaphysics? Discuss in detail. (2026)

4. What is the connection between Nietzsche’s Nihilism and Existentialism? Elaborate. (2026)

5. Difference between Hobbesian and Rawlsian contractarian approaches with examples. (2026)

6. “Sensible World is a crude copy of the World of Ideas”. Elucidate Plato’s Metaphysics in-depth. (2025)

7. What do you understand by the term “Neo-Pragmatism”? Analyze Richard Rorty’s Ethnocentrism, Naturalism and Relativism shortly and crisply. (2025)

8. What is Historical Materialism? Elaborate Marx contribution in its development. (2017)

9. Critically evaluate representative realism of John Locke. (2016)

10. Discuss Berkeley’s critique of Locke’s representative realism. (2018)

11. Discuss Berkeley’s view of reality in detail. (2019)

12. Illustrate main characteristics of subjective idealism of Berkeley. (2020)

13. Explain Simple and Complex ideas with special reference to Locke. (2021)

14. Examine Marx’s view on human consciousness. (2022)

15. Give critical exposition of Berkeley’s doctrine of Esse Est Percipi or “To be is to be perceived”. (2023)

V. Ethics

1. Discuss the implications of Aristotle’s virtue ethics in the context of his notion of moral excellence. (2026)

2. Do you agree with the John Stuart Mill’s Creed of “Greatest Happiness Principle”, better known as “Utilitarianism”? Support your opinion with cogent arguments. Highlight its contemporary relevance. (2025)

3. Critically evaluate how is Michel Foucault’s knowledge/power is different to common impression ‘knowledge is power’. (2024)

4. Aristotle’s concept of ‘eudemonia’ is better than the modern consequential and deontological theories. Discuss it with reference to recent ethical challenges. (2024)

5. “Bad faith is a permanent risk for consciousness”, says Sartre. Critically assess this statement in the wider thought of Sartre. (2024)

6. Critically evaluate Rawls’s notion of Original Position. (2018)

7. Discuss the Idea of the Good as an Ethical theory. (2019)

8. Main idea of Kant’s ethics is ‘duty for the sake of duty.’ Is it justified? Give your own statement. (2020)

9. Write short note on ‘Psychological and ethical egoism’ (2020)

10. Define Utilitarianism. Discuss how a utilitarian decides whether or not an act is morally right. (2021)

11. What are the salient features of Kant's Transcendentalism? (2016)

12. Critically evaluate utilitarianism with ref. to Mill. (2016)

13. Write short note on i. Ethical Egoism (2016)

14. How does Aristotle derive virtue ethics? (2022)

15. Discuss Kant’s moral proof for the existence of God. (2023)

VI. Muslim Thinkers

1. Explain Al-Ghazali’s stance on the relationship of Cause and Effect. Discuss its subsequent consequences in the academic arena of the Muslim World. (2025)

2. Outline al-Ghazali’s journey from al-kalam methods to philosophy and then to mysticism in the wider background of his recognition of limits of reason. (2024)

3. Iqbal's concept of "the principle of movement in the structure of Islam". (2016)

4. Short Note on the following: i. Shah Waliullah as a Reformer (2016)

5. How did Ghazali refute the philosopher's argument about Eternity of the Universe? (2017)

6. Elaborate the way Iqbal reconciled Divine Power (Omnipotence) and Knowledge with human freedom. (2017)

7. Write an essay on Ibn-e-Sina’s theory of knowledge. (2020)

8. Discuss the concept of Khudi (Ego) with special reference to Iqbal. (2021)

9. Write short notes on any TWO of the following: 1. Iqbal’s criticism of Nietzsche’s philosophy 2. Shah Waliullah’s criticism of Taqlid 3. Al Ghazali’s views on religious sciences (2022)

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