To begin with, the article will discuss one more optional subject: Philosophy and Best Philosophy Optional Books for the UPSC. Then, read the complete article and learn about the top Indian philosophy books. Besides, referring to the best books is essential for the exam. Therefore, by the end of this article, you will understand important points on the optional philosophy books for the UPSC exam.
Why one must choose Philosophy as an Optional Subject?
Before choosing the optional subject, one must be careful. One must understand their skills, and also one needs to go through the syllabus. Talking about the Philosophy subject, it is one of the favorite subjects of many IAS aspirants. Further, this particular subject can be covered without coaching classes. If you have suitable materials, you can easily cover the syllabus and score well in the exam. Besides, candidates from any background can opt for this subject and who are good at logically expressing their ideas can go for this subject. So, students from technical and humanities can also opt for this subject.
For more information on the IAS exam and UPSC-related information, one can visit the official website.
It is a natural question that arises in mind why one must choose this subject as optional in the UPSC main exam. Therefore, below we have added few points why one must choose.
Know the Reasons
- In the first place, it has well defined syllabus. When compared with the other optional subjects, this subject has a short syllabus. Therefore, it can be covered in the less time.
- As we have mentioned earlier, students froma ny background can go for this subject. Besides high success ratio is 8.9%
- Talking about the syllabus, it is completely static and no current portion is involved.
- It also overlaps with esaay, and eyhics subject materials. It will help you with the exam preparations and saves time.
- This subject improves critical thinking and logical thinking of students. Besides, to cover this subject, you don’t have no need prior knowledge and it is easy to understand, one can understand concepts by reading the text books.
Indian philosophy books for the UPSC Exam
- Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy.
- C. D. Sharma – A Critical Survey of Indian Philosophy. MLBD
- Anthony Kenny – A New History of Western Philosophy. OUP Oxford.
- Datta & Chatterjee: An Introduction to Indian Philosophy. Rupa Publishing.
- Copleston – A History of Philosophy (Relevant Chapters from volume I, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX & XI).
- W. T. Stace – A Critical History of Greek Philosophy (Plato and Aristotle).
Paper II – Best Philosophy Books
- Michael B. Wilkinson – Philosophy of Religion: An Introduction.
- Political Theory, An Introduction. Edited By Rajeev Bhargava & Ashok Acharya.
- O. P. Gauba: Social & Political Philosophy.
- John Hick: Philosophy of Religion.
- Oxford Dictionary of politics
Best Philosophy Books
Now you will get the list of philosophy books in order of the concepts below.
An Existentialism
- Existentialism: A Reconstruction by David Cooper
- Existentialism Is A Humanism by Jean-Paul
Indian Philosophy
- A critical Survey of Indian Philosophy by S Chatterjee
- An Introduction to Indian Philosophy by C Sharma
Western Philosophy
- A critical History of Western Philosophy – Y Masih
- Contemporary Western Philosophy by Dr. B.K. Lal
- A History of Philosophy by Frank Thilly
Philosophy of Religion
- Introduction to religious philosophy by Y Masih
- Philosophy of religion by John H.Hick
History and Problems of Philosophy
- Survey of Indian Philosophy – C D Sharma
- Indian Philosophy, A counter Perspective – Dr Daya Krishna
- A History of Philosophy – Frank Thilly
- Indian Philosophy – Dr S Radha Krishnan
Syllabus
Below we have added some of the topics of the subject.
- Empiricism (Locke, Berkeley, Hume) – Theory of Knowledge; Substance and Qualities; Self and God; Scepticism.
- Plato and Aristotle – Ideas; Substance; Form and Matter; Causation; Actuality and Potentiality
- Rationalism (Descartes, Spinoza, Leibniz) – Cartesian Method and Certain Knowledge; Substance; God; Mind-Body Dualism; Determinism and Freedom
- Hegel – Dialectical Method; Absolute Idealism
- Kant – Possibility of Synthetic a priori Judgments; Space and Time; Categories; Ideas of Reason. Further, Antinomies; Critique of Proofs for the Existence of God
How to prepare for Philosophy Subject
Now you have understood the Best Philosophy Books and syllabus details. Below we have provided some tips for the exam preparations.
- In the first place, one must go through the previous year question papers. It will help you effectively, you will understand the paper pattern, marks, and also trending topics. So, try to solve as many question papers possible.
- Western Philosophy and Indian Philosophy, these both topics are the part of the optional paper 1. One must attempt 5 out of 8 questions along with the 2 compulsory questions.
- Further, understand the basics of Philosophy subjects. Understand the syllabus, make sure that you haven’t missed any concepts.
- Answer writing practice is one of the important things in the UPSC examination. So, try to write the answer with restricted number of words and try to include all the important points. So, for this purpose, one can study from the topper’s answer scripts, it will also help you with the exam preparations.
- One must have a habit of doing revision, it will help you effectively. So, when you complete certain portion try to revise and give mock tests.
- Lastly, try to solve test series and mock tests. These both will help you to improve your skills. Further, you will understand your strong ares ans also areas of improvement.
Highlights of UPSC Exam
Finally, we will discuss some essential points on the UPSC exam. In the first place, the IAS exam is conducted by the authority UPSC every year. Further, many students apply for the exams, but in the end, only a few will be able to clear the exam. Besides, it is one of the toughest exams present in India and the most admirable job in India. So, there are youngsters who wish to become future IAS and IPS, officers. There are three main stages in the IAS exam: the first one is prelims, the second is the main exam, and the last one is the interview round. Only after clearing one stage can you go to the next one.
Further, in the prelims, questions are of objective type, and in the main exam, questions are of objective type. You can click on the below link for more details on the IAS exam. Besides, this exam will also check your hard work and dedication towards your goals along with your knowledge. So, focus on your dreams.
Note – If you are looking for the IAS exam syllabus, tips, exam pattern, and other important information. Click Here.
Conclusion – Best Philosophy Books
In summary, in this article, we have covered the Indian philosophy optional books for the UPSC exam. There are also points related to why one must choose this particular subject as their optional. Then, you will find a list of all the books that are essential for exam preparations. One can’t refer all readers, so understand your requirements and read from those books. Further, you can make points and study during exams. We have added a few tips that will help you with the exam preparations. So, this article will solve all your problems related to the Best Philosophy Books. You can make a note of these books and study from them for the exam. Become an IAS officer, not an easy task. One must work hard towards their dream and put in special efforts—finally, all the vet best.
FAQs – Best Philosophy Books
Lastly, check out the below FAQs for more details on the Indian philosophy optional books for the UPSC exam.
There are many books present from the exam point of view. So one can first understand the basics and above we have mentioned all the books details.
It is one of my favorite subjects for the UPSC exam preparations. It is easy to understand, and it has less syllabus.
This subject is easy to understand, and it can be taken from students from any background. Therefore, you can cover the syllabus in less time.
Editor’s Note | Best Philosophy Books
In brief, in the article, you will get information on the Indian Philosophy optional books for the UPSC exam. Books play a major role in the UPSC exam preparations, so to help you with the same, we have added all the necessary information from the books. Further, you will also find some tips that will help you with the exam preparations. As it is easy to understand and it has a less syllabus, you can easily cover the syllabus. So, it will also help you score well in the exam. One can study from those books that will cover their requirements as it is not possible to look from all books.
Further, one can make essential points from certain books and study during the exam. Good luck with the exam, do well. With the right plan and direction, it is possible to clear the exam. Prepare well and study smart. Try to use mentioned tips in the article.
