MAPHILOSOPHY
(MAPY)
AssignmentsJuly 2015 and
January 2016 (First Year)
MPY-001
: INDIAN PHILOSOPHY
MPYE-001
: LOGIC
MPYE-002
: ETHICS
MPYE-003
: EPISTEMOLOGY
MPYE-004
: PHILOSOPHY OF HUMAN PERSON
MPYE-005
: WORLD RELIGIONS
MPYE-006
: DALIT PHILOSOPHY
MPYE-007
: RESEARCHMETHODOLOGYINPHILOSOPHY
MGP-005
: INTRODUCTION TO PACE AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION
(TAKE
FROMASSIGNMENT OFMGPS)
School
of Interdisciplinary and Trans-disciplinary Studies
Indira
Gandhi National Open University
Maidan
Garhi, New Delhi – 110 068
Last
Date of Submission of Assignments to the Study Centre
July,
2015 Session - March 31, 2016
January,
2016 Session - September 30, 2016
Dear Student,
Welcome to IGNOU and the courses
and programme of study in philosophy, which were developed by the CBCI Chair
and being are offered through School of Inter-disciplinary and
Trans-disciplinary Studies (SOITS) of IGNOU. Those enrolled for July 2015
session must submit these assignments on or before March 31, 2016 and those of
you getting enrolled for January 2016 must submit the assignments on or before
September 30, 2016. 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
handwritten 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 only. 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. The study centre is expected to return the evaluated assignments
back to you along with the marks assigned. Submission of assignments is a
pre-condition for appearing in Term-End Examination.
Ensure that you read the
programme guide carefully which will answer most of your doubts. Wish you all
the best for your studies. Prof. Gracious Thomas (Programme Coordinator)
MPY-001:
INDIAN PHILOSOPHY
Assignment
Note:
i. Answer all five questions
ii.
All questions carry equal marks
iii.
Answer to question no.1 and 2 should be in about 500 words each
iv.
Before writing the assignment-responses, read the questions, understand them, refer
the texts and write down the answers in your own words.
1. Explain the Charvaka concept
of soul and god. How do they make sense of morality in life? Discuss. 20
Or
Describe elaborately the
Vaisesika concept of padartha or category. 20
2. “Jagat (the world) is
not different from Brahman; on the other hand Brahman is different from the jagat.”
– Justify this statement by explaining the Advaita position on the relation
between Brahman and the world. 20
Or
Discuss Vivekanda’s notion of
universal religion. Explain how his philosophical understanding of god and man
is relevant in such a framework. 20
3. Answer any two of the
following questions in about 250 words each:
a) Discuss in detail the special
features of Indian philosophy. 10
b) Give an account of the
political philosophy of Thiruvalluar. 10
c) Explain the concept of Purusa.
Discuss various proofs presented for the existence of Purusa. 10
d) Discuss the realism of the
Sautrantika and Vaibhasika schools of thought. 10
4. Answer any four of the
following in about 150 words each:
a) Describe the Mimamsa understanding
of non-perception (anupalabdhi). 5
b) What is the ontological
implication of sunnyata? 5
c) Briefly discuss the theory of anatma
vada.
5
d) What are the Panchamahayajnas
proposed by Visistadvaita? 5
e) Describe the threefold path of
moral values in Jainism. 5
f) What is the concept of Sat and
Asat in the Vedas? 5
5. Write short notes on any five
of the following in about 100 words each:
a) Jnana marga 4
b) Nishkama karma 4
c) Ambedkar’s attitude towards
religion 4
d) Dharma 4
e) Kevala – Jnana 4
f) Reality and God in Tagore 4
g) Klesas 4
h) Jaina concept of Liberation 4
MPYE-001:
LOGIC
Assignment
Note:
i. Answer all five questions
ii.
All questions carry equal marks
iii.
Answer to question no.1 and 2 should be in about 500 words each
iv.
Before writing the assignment-responses, read the questions, understand them, refer
the texts and write down the answers in your own words.
1. Explain the categorical
propositions and square of opposition. 20
Or
Why certain fallacies are called
fallacies of relevance? Explain different types of fallacies of relevance. 20
2. What is Quantification?
Explain the four rules of quantification in detail. 20
Or
Define and explain the proof of
invalidity in detail with at least two examples. 20
3. Answer any two of the
following questions in about 250 words each:
a) Construct the symbolic forms
of the following arguments: If Rahul buys the plot, then an office building
will be constructed; whereas if Mahesh buys the plot, then it quickly will be
sold again. If Rohit buys the plot, then a store will be constructed; and if
the store is constructed, then
Lakshmi will offer to lease it.
Either Rahul or Rohit will buy the lot.
Therefore either an office
building or a store will be constructed. 10
b) What is digital logic? Write a
note on Boolean operators. 10
c) How do you relate the major,
minor and middle terms in a syllogism? 10
d) Discuss the significance of
the ‘figure’ of categorical syllogism. 10
4. Answer any four of the
following in about 150 words each:
a) What do you understand by the
connotation of terms? 5
b) Explain disjunctive syllogism
(D.S.). 5
c) Distinguish between
distributive law and commutative law. 5
d) What is the significance of
Conditional Proof? 5
e) What do you understand by
existential quantifier? 5
f) Contrast between deduction and
induction. 5
5. Write short
notes on any five
of
the following in about 100 words each:
a) Inference 4
b) Mood of a syllogism 4
c) Hasty generalization 4
d) Reductio Ad Absurdum 4
e) Discharging the assumption 4
f) Invalidity 4
g) Instantiation 4
h) Nonsyllogism 4
MPYE-002:
ETHICS
Assignment
Note:
i. Answer all five questions
ii.
All questions carry equal marks
iii.
Answer to question no.1 and 2 should be in about 500 words each
iv.
Before writing the assignment-responses, read the questions, understand them,
refer
the texts and write down the answers in your own words.
1. Explain the descriptive,
normative and critical phases of environmental ethics. Also discuss the ‘Why’
and ‘Why Now’ of environmental ethics. 20
Or
Write an essay on the Philosophy
of international ethics. 20
2. Discuss the general features
of Habermas’ Discourse Ethics. How does he understand moral consciousness?
Explain. 20
Or
Write a detailed note on Morris
Ginsberg’s “On the Diversity of Morals”. 20
3. Answer any two of the
following questions in about 250 words each:
a) What are the intrapersonal and
interpersonal conflicts in simple subjectivism?
Can they be resolved? Discuss? 10
b) Is there any conflict
underlying freedom of press and right to privacy? Discuss. 10
c) “Human person must invent his
own values” – Explain existentialist humanism with Sartre’s ideas of moral
order. 10
d) Write a short essay on Human
rights. 10
4. Answer any four of the
following in about 150 words each:
a) ‘Virtue lies in the middle’.
Explain. 5
b) What do you understand by
moral intuitionism? 5
c) How do you differentiate
between values and norms? 5
d) How is social institution
distinguished from Society? 5
e) Briefly discuss distributive
Justice. 5
f) What is human order? 5
5. Write short notes on any five
of the following in about 100 words each:
a) Absolute ethics 4
b) Svadharma 4
c) Pacifism 4
d) Personhood 4
e) Love for animals in Buddhism 4
f) Emotivism 4
g) GoodWill 4
h) Responsibility for the Other 4
MPYE-003:
EPISTEMOLOGY
Assignment
Note:
i. Answer all five questions
ii.
All questions carry equal marks
iii.
Answer to question no. 1 and 2 should be in about 500 words each
iv.
Before writing the assignment-responses, read the questions, understand them, refer
the texts and write down the answers in your own words.
1. Explain the classical theories
of truth proposed in western philosophy. 20
Or
Present an overview of Pratyaksa
as understood in different schools of Indian thought. 20
2. Discuss the conditions that
prompted Quine to propose naturalized epistemology.
Explain elaborately some of the
implications of naturalized epistemology. 20
Or
What do you understand by the
notion of ‘certitude’? Describe in detail various kinds of certitude possible.
10/ 20
3. Answer any two of the
following questions in about 250 words each:
a) Explain the nature and scope
of Epistemology. 10
b) Make an analysis of major khyati-vadas
or theories of error accepted in Indian epistemology. 10
c) Enumerate four ways in which
one can have or justify unjustified beliefs. 10
d) Radical translation does not
undermine the basic hermeneutic insight. Explain. 10
4. Answer any four of the
following in about 150 words each:
a) Briefly discus the method of
comparison (Upamana). 5
b) What do you understand by ‘the
capacity of the reader’? / Interpreter 5
c) How is truth related to
reasonableness? 5
d) Differentiate between locution
and Illocution. 5
e) What is correspondence theory
of truth according to Nyaya school? 5
f) Briefly describe the ordinary
language philosophy of G. E. Moore. 5
5.Write short notes on any five
of the following in about 100 words each:
a) Pre-Understanding 4
b) Hetvabhasa 4
c) Externalism 4
d) Liberation Hermeneutics 4
e) Dhvani Theory 4
f) Theory-ladenness of
observations 4
g) God’s eye view 4
h) Constructivism 4
MPYE-004:
PHILOSOPHY OF HUMAN PERSON
Assignment
Note:
i. Answer all five questions
ii.
All questions carry equal marks
iii.
Answer to question no. 1 and 2 should be in about 500 words each
iv.
Before writing the assignment-responses, read the questions, understand them, refer
the texts and write down the answers in your own words.
1. Discuss the philosophical
issues related to personal identity. Can we explain identity based on
consciousness? Explain. 20
Or
Explain the brahminical notions
of self and the goals of life and critically analyse them from an atheistic or
materialistic point of view. 20
2. Present various positive and
nihilistic responses to the phenomena of human death. 20
Or
Differentiate between authentic
and inauthentic lives. How does Heidegger explain Living as authentic
existence? Discuss. 20
3. Answer any two of the
following questions in about 250 words each:
a) Define freedom. Explain human
existence as interdependent and independent. 10
b) Explain the basic principles
of Maslow, on which he bases his humanistic psychology. 10
c) Is life a struggle or a
celebration? Discuss. 10
d) How can human relationships be
founded on Kant’s notion of persons
as “ends in themselves”? Discuss.
10 4. Answer any four of the following in about 150 words each:
a) How is a ‘response’ different
from an ‘answer’? 5
b) Differentiate between general
anthropology and philosophical anthropology. 5
c) What o you understand by the
human search for meaning? 5
d) Describe Plato’s notion of
reincarnation. 5
e) How did skinner challenge
human freedom? 5
f) Explain self as the centre of
gravity. 5
5. Write short notes on any five
of the following in about 100 words each:
a) Ghost in a machine 4
b) Facticity 4
c) Liberty 4
d) Rebirth 4
e) Chaos theory 4
f) Self-actualisation 4
g) “I”- “thou” relationship 4
h) Diversity as a survival value
4
MPYE-005:
WORLD RELIGIONS
Assignment
Note:
i. Answer all five questions
ii.
All questions carry equal marks
iii.
Answer to question no. 1 and 2 should be in about 500 words each
iv.
Before writing the assignment-responses, read the questions, understand them, refer
the texts and write down the answers in your own words.
1. Explain elaborately the
concept of god and man in Islam. 20
Or
Make a detailed description of
the sacred texts in Hinduism. 20
2. Explain the Christian concept
of human person, world, and God. How are they related? 20
Or
Write a detailed essay on the
Jaina epistemology. 20
3. Answer any two of the
following questions in about 250 words each:
a) Explain the major factors that
helped the emergence of Buddhism. 10
b) Elaborate the Sikh notion of
ultimate principle as Unity. 10
c) Discuss the stages of life (Asrama)
as proposed in Hinduism. 10
d) Explain the Jewish concept of
God. 10
4. Answer any four of the
following in about 150 words each:
a) What is the Christian concept
of incarnation? 5
b) Describe the notion of matter
or pudgala in Jainism. 5
c) Briefly narrate the ethical
teachings of Sikhism 5
d) Explain the truth of ‘cessation
of dukkha’. 5
e) Discuss fate and freewill as
conceived in Zoroastrianism. 5
f) Differentiate between the
Nirguna and Saguna concepts of Brahman. 5
5. Write short notes on any five
of the following in about 100 words each:
a) Right faith (samyag-darshana)
4
b) Sufism 4
c) Kshanika-Vada 4
d) Messianic age 4
e) Nididhyasanam 4
f) Hiranyagarbha 4
g) Eschatology 4
h) Adi Granth 4
MPYE
006: DALIT PHILOSOPHY
Assignment
Note:
i. Answer all five questions
ii.
All questions carry equal marks
iii.
Answer to question no. 1 and 2 should be in about 500 words each
iv.
Before writing the assignment-responses, read the questions, understand them, refer
the texts and write down the answers in your own words.
1. Explain the features of dalit
folklore and cultural expressions. How do dalit rituals differ from non-dalit
rituals? Discuss. 20
Or
Analyse dalit philosopy of life.
How is philosophizing from dalit perspectives unique? Explain. 20
2. Present the dalit critique of
world religions in line with Ambedkar’s analysis of religion. 15
Or
Discuss the basis for dalit
eschatology. Point out the materialist features involved in it. 20
3. Answer any two of the
following questions in about 250 words each:
a) Narrate the Gandhi-Ambedkar
Debate. 10
b) Write a short essay on the
cultural impact of globalization on India 10
c) Explain the general
characteristics of Dalit religious philosophy. 10
d) How do dalits experience and
express beauty? How is their spirituality and aesthetic experiences are
related? 10
4. Answer any four of the
following in about 150 words each:
a) What do you understand by the
philosophy of liberation? 5
b) Explain the nature of dalit
location. 5
c) How do dalits practice non
violence as a rule of life? 5
d) Explain how Labour becomes the
foundation of dalit living. 5
e) What is the dalit perspective
on the problem of evil? 5
f) How does tirukkural attempt
to regulate family life? 5
5. Write short notes on any five
of the following in about 100 words each:
a) Saktism 4
b) Narayana guru 4
c) Dalitization 4
d) Shramana Tradition 4
e) Bhakti 4
f) Meaning of dalit 4
g) Subaltern Independence 4
h) Caste cuts across religious
barriers 4
MPYE
007: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Assignment
Note:
i. Answer all five questions
ii.
All questions carry equal marks
iii.
Answer to question no. 1 and 2 should be in about 500 words each
iv.
Before writing the assignment-responses, read the questions, understand them, refer
the texts and write down the answers in your own words.
1. Explain in detail the original
unity between science, myth and philosophy. 20
Or
Explain the evolution of
scientific methods.What do you think is the scope of science and scientific
methods? Discuss. 20
2. Can deconstruction be
understood as strategic reading? Discuss. Also explain in particular the idea
of deconstruction in Heidegger. 20
Or
Write a note on the main
divisions of a research paper. 20
3. Answer any two of the
following questions in about 250 words each:
a) Write an elaborate note on the
tools of research. 10
b) Explain the concepts of
pre-understanding and semantic autonomy of the text. 10
c) Discuss Descartes’ rational
method in detail. 10
d) Describe the essential
components that the preliminary section of a thesis proposal should contain. 10
4. Answer any four of the
following in about 150 words each:
a) Briefly discuss the theory of
communicative action in Habermas. 5
b) What is triangulation? 5
c) What do you understand by
Intentionality? 5
d) Explain the fallacy of the
absolute text. 5
e) Explain discourse dialectics.
5
f) Make a brief critique of
dialectical method. 5
5. Write short notes on any five
of the following in about 100 words each:
a) Preface 4
b) Innate Ideas 4
c) Hypothesis 4
d) Inductive reasoning 4
e) Structuralism 4
f) Card style of note taking 4
g) Appendix 4
h) Intuition 4
