Question Paper: Philosophical Foundations of Education

Time: 180 minutes

Total Marks: 300

Section A: Standard Multiple-Choice Questions

1. Which philosophy emphasizes that “truth is what works”?

A) Idealism

B) Realism

C) Pragmatism

D) Existentialism

2. In Sankhya philosophy, the two fundamental principles are:

A) Dharma and Moksha

B) Purusha and Prakriti

C) Karma and Atman

D) Brahman and Maya

3. Who proposed that education should aim at the holistic development of the child?

A) Rousseau

B) Tagore

C) Vivekananda
D) Gandhi

4. Which Indian philosopher emphasized the concept of “Brahmacharya” in education?

A) Dayanand Saraswati

B) Vivekananda

C) Aurobindo

D) Gandhi

5. The “Middle Path” is a key concept in:

A) Sankhya

B) Buddhism

C) Jainism

D) Vedanta

Section B: Two-Statement MCQs (Identify True/False)

6. Statement 1: Naturalism emphasizes direct interaction with nature.

Statement 2: Idealism promotes learning through sensory experiences.

A) Both statements are true.

B) Both statements are false.

C) Only Statement 1 is true.

D) Only Statement 2 is true.

7. Statement 1: Pragmatism rejects absolute truths.

Statement 2: Realism focuses on metaphysical ideals.

A) Both statements are true.

B) Both statements are false.

C) Only Statement 1 is true.

D) Only Statement 2 is true.

Section C: Multi-Select MCQs (Choose All Correct Options)

8. Which of the following are contributions of Gandhi to education?

A) Nai Talim

B) Emphasis on industrial training

C) Education for self-sufficiency

D) Focus on rote learning

9. Tagore’s educational philosophy includes:

A) Emphasis on creativity

B) Integration with nature

C) Rigid academic structure

D) Artistic expression

10. Which principles are central to Pragmatism?

A) Truth is dynamic.

B) Learning by doing.
C) Absolute truths are essential.

D) Focus on practical outcomes.

Section D: Fill-in-the-Blank Style MCQs

11. According to Sankhya philosophy, the ultimate goal is the separation of ________ from
________.

A) Brahman; Maya

B) Purusha; Prakriti

C) Atman; Karma

D) Dharma; Moksha

12. Vedanta teaches that the world is an illusion created by ________.

A) Karma

B) Brahman

C) Maya

D) Atman

13. Existentialism prioritizes ________ over societal norms.

A) Spirituality

B) Individual freedom

C) Moral absolutism

D) Practical learning
Section E: Assertion-Reason MCQs

14. Assertion (A): Pragmatism aligns with project-based learning techniques.

Reason ®: Pragmatism emphasizes hands-on learning and solving real-world problems.

A) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.

B) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.

C) A is true, but R is false.

D) A is false, but R is true.

15. Assertion (A): Idealism focuses on moral education.

Reason ®: Idealism prioritizes the physical over the spiritual.

A) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.

B) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.

C) A is true, but R is false.

D) A is false, but R is true.

Section F: Matrix Match MCQs

16. Match the following Indian philosophers with their educational philosophies:

Philosopher Philosophy
1. Gandhi A. Education for self
realisation
2. Tagore B. Nai Talim
3. Vivekananda C. Harmony with
nature
4. Aurobindo D. Man making
education
A) 1-B, 2-C, 3-D, 4-A

B) 1-D, 2-A, 3-B, 4-C

C) 1-B, 2-C, 3-A, 4-D

D) 1-C, 2-D, 3-B, 4-A

17. Match the following Western schools of philosophy with their core concepts:

Philosophy Core concept

Idealism Reality as an idea
Realism Focus on emperical
observation
Pragmatism Truth through utility
Naturalism Importance of nature

A) 1-A, 2-B, 3-C, 4-D

B) 1-C, 2-D, 3-B, 4-A

C) 1-D, 2-C, 3-A, 4-B

D) 1-B, 2-A, 3-D, 4-C

Section G: Multi-Statement MCQs

18. Which of the following statements are true about Realism?

1) It emphasizes sensory experience as the source of knowledge.

2) It advocates for abstract ideas over empirical evidence.
3) It focuses on the material world.
4) It views the mind as the creator of reality.

A) 1 and 3 only

B) 2 and 4 only

C) 1, 2, and 3 only

D) All of the above

19. Which of the following statements correctly describe Pragmatism?

1) It values experimentation in education.

2) It considers truth as absolute and unchanging.
3) It encourages practical problem-solving.
4) It rejects rote memorization.

A) 1 and 3 only

B) 1, 3, and 4 only

C) 2 and 4 only

D) All of the above

Section H: Standard Multiple-Choice Questions (Continued)

20. Which philosopher emphasized “education as the reconstruction of experiences”?

A) John Dewey

B) Jean-Jacques Rousseau

C) Immanuel Kant

D) Friedrich Nietzsche

21. According to Vedanta philosophy, the ultimate reality is called:

A) Maya

B) Prakriti

C) Brahman

D) Atman
22. In Idealism, the focus of education is on:

A) Sensory experiences

B) Material world

C) Eternal truths

D) Experimental learning

23. Which school of thought is associated with “survival of the fittest” in education?

A) Pragmatism

B) Realism

C) Naturalism

D) Social Darwinism

24. The principle of “Ahimsa” (non-violence) is central to which philosophy?

A) Buddhism

B) Jainism

C) Vedanta

D) Sankhya

Section I: Multi-Select MCQs (Continued)

25. Which of the following are characteristics of Naturalism?

A) Child-centered education

B) Focus on artificial methods

C) Learning through direct experience

D) Rejection of rote memorization

26. Key elements of Tagore’s educational philosophy include:

A) Love for nature

B) Harmony of head, heart, and hands

C) Strict discipline

D) Artistic creativity

27. Which of the following align with Pragmatism?

A) Emphasis on experimentation

B) Importance of absolute truths

C) Learning by doing

D) Focus on practical solutions

Section J: Assertion-Reason MCQs (Continued)

28. Assertion (A): Existentialism emphasizes individual choice and freedom in education.

Reason ®: Existentialists believe that education should impose societal values on learners.

A) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.

B) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.

C) A is true, but R is false.

D) A is false, but R is true.

29. Assertion (A): Naturalism advocates for experiential learning.

Reason ®: Naturalism emphasizes dependence on traditional teaching methods.

A) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.

B) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.

C) A is true, but R is false.

D) A is false, but R is true.

Section K: Match the Following (Continued)

30. Match the following thinkers with their philosophies:

Thinkers Philosophy
Krishnamurthy Freedom from conditioning
Dewey Learning through doing
Rousseau Natural Development
Plato Ideal state and moral
education

A) 1-A, 2-B, 3-C, 4-D

B) 1-B, 2-C, 3-D, 4-A

C) 1-C, 2-D, 3-A, 4-B

D) 1-D, 2-A, 3-B, 4-C

Section L: Fill-in-the-Blank Style MCQs (Continued)

31. Education in Buddhism is aimed at achieving ________.

A) Liberation

B) Material success

C) Intellectual growth
D) Worldly fame

32. Pragmatism regards truth as ________ and ________.

A) Eternal; absolute

B) Dynamic; practical

C) Rigid; unchanging

D) Subjective; speculative

33. Tagore believed that education should bring harmony between ________ and ________.

A) Individual and society

B) Nature and humanity

C) Discipline and freedom

D) Teacher and student

Section M: Multi-Statement MCQs (Continued)

34. Which of the following statements are true about Idealism?

1. It emphasizes moral and spiritual values.

2. It focuses on practical outcomes.
3. It views reality as ideas rather than physical matter.
4. It supports experiential learning.

A) 1 and 3 only

B) 2 and 4 only

C) 1, 2, and 3 only

D) All of the above

35. Which of the following statements correctly describe Realism?

1. Knowledge is gained through sensory experiences.

2. It values the material world over abstract ideas.
3. Reality is created by the mind.
4. Emphasis is on empirical observation.

A) 1 and 4 only

B) 2 and 3 only

C) 1, 2, and 4 only

D) All of the above

Section N: Miscellaneous MCQs

36. “Education for life and not for mere livelihood” aligns with the philosophy of:

A) Gandhi

B) Dewey

C) Vivekananda

D) Tagore

37. Who proposed the theory of multiple intelligences?

A) Thorndike

B) Gardner

C) Sternberg

D) Pavlov
38. Which method is central to Skinner’s operant conditioning?

A) Punishment and reward

B) Insight learning

C) Classical conditioning

D) Observational learning

39. The theory of constructivism emphasizes:

A) Passive reception of knowledge

B) Active construction of knowledge by learners

C) Memorization of facts

D) Strict teacher-centered learning

40. Which Indian philosophy focuses on non-violence and multiple viewpoints?

A) Buddhism

B) Jainism

C) Sankhya

D) Vedanta

Section O: Indian Philosophy – Standard MCQs

41. Which philosophy believes in the concept of “Anekantavada” (multiple perspectives)?

A) Vedanta

B) Jainism
C) Sankhya

D) Buddhism

42. Sankhya philosophy primarily emphasizes the duality between:

A) Dharma and Moksha

B) Purusha and Prakriti

C) Karma and Atman

D) Brahman and Maya

43. Which Indian school of philosophy advocates “Ashtanga Yoga” as a means to

liberation?

A) Sankhya

B) Vedanta

C) Yoga

D) Buddhism

44. The concept of “Ahimsa” is a fundamental teaching of:

A) Jainism

B) Buddhism

C) Both Jainism and Buddhism

D) Sankhya
45. The Vedantic idea of ultimate reality is referred to as:

A) Maya

B) Brahman

C) Purusha

D) Atman

Section P: Multi-Select MCQs on Indian Philosophies

46. Which of the following are teachings of Jainism?

A) Non-violence

B) Respect for multiple perspectives

C) Emphasis on material success

D) Detachment from worldly desires

47. Key features of Buddhism include:

A) The Four Noble Truths

B) The Eightfold Path

C) Belief in Purusha and Prakriti

D) Middle Way

48. In Indian philosophies, Vedanta teaches:

A) Unity of the individual soul with Brahman

B) Duality of Purusha and Prakriti

C) Non-violence as the ultimate goal

D) Liberation through knowledge

Section Q: Assertion-Reason MCQs on Indian Philosophies

49. Assertion (A): Sankhya philosophy states that Prakriti is the cause of the material world.

Reason ®: Prakriti consists of three gunas—Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas.

A) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.

B) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.

C) A is true, but R is false.

D) A is false, but R is true.

50. Assertion (A): Jainism emphasizes renunciation and non-violence.

Reason ®: Jainism believes in achieving liberation through adherence to the Eightfold Path.

A) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.

B) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.

C) A is true, but R is false.

D) A is false, but R is true.

Section R: Fill-in-the-Blank Style MCQs on Indian Philosophies

51. The primary goal of Sankhya philosophy is the separation of ________ from ________.

A) Brahman; Maya

B) Purusha; Prakriti

C) Atman; Karma

D) Dharma; Moksha
52. Vedanta considers the world as an illusion created by ________.

A) Prakriti

B) Maya

C) Purusha

D) Karma

53. The ultimate goal in Buddhism is achieving ________.

A) Nirvana

B) Moksha

C) Dharma

D) Atman

Section S: Miscellaneous MCQs on Indian Philosophies

54. Who is the founder of Jainism?

A) Gautama Buddha

B) Mahavira

C) Adi Shankaracharya

D) Patanjali

55. In Yoga philosophy, “Chitta Vritti Nirodha” refers to:

A) Attaining liberation
B) Cessation of mental modifications

C) Union with Brahman

D) Detachment from desires

56. Buddha’s teachings were compiled in which language?

A) Sanskrit

B) Pali

C) Prakrit

D) Tamil

57. Which Indian philosopher emphasized “universal brotherhood” and the “oneness of
humanity”?

A) Gandhi

B) Vivekananda

C) Tagore

D) Aurobindo

58. The concept of “Swadharma” is a teaching of:

A) Sankhya

B) Vedanta

C) Bhagavad Gita

D) Buddhism
Section T: Higher-Order Thinking MCQs on Indian Philosophies

59. Which of the following best explains “Maya” in Vedanta philosophy?

A) The cause of material existence

B) The ultimate reality

C) The divine law governing karma

D) A dualistic principle

60. The “Middle Path” in Buddhism is meant to avoid extremes of:

A) Knowledge and ignorance

B) Sensual indulgence and self-mortification

C) Action and inaction

D) Desire and renunciation

61. Jainism’s teaching of “Syadvada” is best described as:

A) A doctrine of conditional truth

B) Absolute reality

C) Complete detachment

D) A path to Nirvana

62. The Bhagavad Gita’s concept of “Nishkama Karma” refers to:

A) Performing actions without attachment to results

B) Renouncing all worldly desires

C) Meditation for self-realization

D) Following one’s destiny

Section U: Standard MCQs on Indian Philosophies

63. Which philosophy is known for the theory of “Triratna” (Three Jewels)?

A) Jainism

B) Buddhism

C) Vedanta

D) Sankhya

64. The Bhagavad Gita emphasizes which type of yoga for selfless action?

A) Bhakti Yoga

B) Karma Yoga

C) Jnana Yoga

D) Raja Yoga

65. According to Yoga philosophy, the ultimate goal is:

A) Physical fitness

B) Union with the divine

C) Detachment from society

D) Liberation through rituals

66. Who among the following advocated for the philosophy of “Advaita” (non-dualism)?

A) Gautama Buddha

B) Mahavira

C) Adi Shankaracharya

D) Patanjali

67. In Jainism, the term “Keval Jnana” refers to:

A) Liberation

B) Supreme knowledge

C) Non-violence

D) Right conduct

Section V: Multi-Select MCQs on Indian Philosophies

68. Which of the following are core teachings of Buddhism?

A) The Four Noble Truths

B) Belief in multiple gods

C) The Eightfold Path

D) The theory of Anekantavada

69. What are the three gunas described in Sankhya philosophy?

A) Sattva

B) Rajas

C) Tamas
D) Maya

70. Key principles of Vedanta include:

A) Maya as an illusion

B) Liberation through self-realization

C) Emphasis on multiple perspectives

D) Unity with Brahman

Section W: Assertion-Reason MCQs on Indian Philosophies

71. Assertion (A): Jainism rejects the concept of a creator god.

Reason ®: Jainism believes that the universe is self-existent and eternal.

A) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.

B) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.

C) A is true, but R is false.

D) A is false, but R is true.

72. Assertion (A): Vedanta philosophy considers Atman to be eternal and unchanging.

Reason ®: Atman is viewed as identical to Brahman in Advaita Vedanta.

A) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.

B) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.

C) A is true, but R is false.

D) A is false, but R is true.

Section X: Fill-in-the-Blank Style MCQs on Indian Philosophies

73. The ultimate goal in Jainism is to attain ________, which means liberation from the cycle
of birth and death.

A) Nirvana

B) Moksha

C) Keval Jnana

D) Samadhi

74. The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali outline the eightfold path called ________.

A) Dhyana Yoga

B) Raja Yoga

C) Ashtanga Yoga

D) Karma Yoga

75. In Buddhism, the principle of non-attachment is referred to as ________.

A) Nirvana

B) Dukkha

C) Anatta

D) Upadana

Section Y: Matrix Match MCQs on Indian Philosophies

76. Match the following philosophies with their key concepts:

 Philosophy Key concept
Buddhism Triratna
Jainism Four noble truths
Sankhya Purusha and prakriti
Vedanta Maya and Brahman

A) 1-B, 2-A, 3-C, 4-D

B) 1-A, 2-B, 3-D, 4-C

C) 1-C, 2-A, 3-B, 4-D

D) 1-D, 2-C, 3-A, 4-B

77. Match the following concepts with their meanings:

Concept Meaning
Keval jnana Supreme
knowledge
Maya illusion
Nirvana Liberation
Purusha Eternal
consciousness

A) 1-A, 2-B, 3-C, 4-D

B) 1-B, 2-A, 3-D, 4-C

C) 1-C, 2-D, 3-A, 4-B

D) 1-D, 2-C, 3-B, 4-A

Section Z: Miscellaneous MCQs on Indian Philosophies

78. Which text is a primary source of Vedanta philosophy?

A) Yoga Sutras

B) Upanishads

C) Tripitaka
D) Bhagavad Gita

79. The principle of “Anicca” (impermanence) is central to:

A) Sankhya

B) Vedanta

C) Buddhism

D) Jainism

80. “Aparigraha” in Jainism refers to:

A) Detachment from material possessions

B) Meditation practices

C) Compassion for all beings

D) Non-violence