Indian Philosophy of Science

Description: This quiz is designed to assess your knowledge of Indian Philosophy of Science. It covers various aspects of the subject, including the contributions of ancient Indian philosophers, the development of scientific thought in India, and the relationship between science and religion in Indian philosophy.
Number of Questions: 15
Created by:
Tags: indian philosophy philosophy of science history of science
Attempted 0/15 Correct 0 Score 0

Who is considered the father of Indian Philosophy of Science?

  1. Kapila

  2. Kanada

  3. Charvaka

  4. Gautama Buddha


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Kanada is credited with developing the Vaisheshika school of thought, which is considered the earliest systematic school of Indian philosophy. He proposed the atomic theory of matter and discussed the concept of causality.

Which ancient Indian text is known for its discussion of scientific topics such as astronomy, mathematics, and medicine?

  1. Rigveda

  2. Atharvaveda

  3. Yajurveda

  4. Samaveda


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The Atharvaveda is one of the four Vedas, the sacred texts of Hinduism. It contains hymns, spells, and incantations related to various aspects of life, including medicine, agriculture, and astronomy.

What is the name of the Indian philosopher who proposed the theory of Sunya (voidness) and criticized the concept of permanent self?

  1. Nagarjuna

  2. Vasubandhu

  3. Asanga

  4. Shantideva


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Nagarjuna was a renowned Indian philosopher and founder of the Madhyamaka school of Mahayana Buddhism. He is known for his theory of Sunya (voidness), which emphasizes the emptiness of all phenomena and the lack of a permanent self.

Which Indian philosopher developed the Nyaya school of thought, which focused on logic and epistemology?

  1. Gautama

  2. Kanada

  3. Kapila

  4. Charvaka


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Gautama, also known as Akshapada Gautama, was the founder of the Nyaya school of Indian philosophy. He is known for his work on logic and epistemology, particularly his development of the Nyaya Sutras, which discuss topics such as perception, inference, and fallacies.

What is the name of the ancient Indian astronomical treatise that contains observations and theories about the movement of celestial bodies?

  1. Surya Siddhanta

  2. Aryabhatiya

  3. Brahma Siddhanta

  4. Vishnu Purana


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The Surya Siddhanta is an ancient Indian astronomical treatise that is believed to have been composed between the 4th and 5th centuries CE. It contains detailed observations and theories about the movement of celestial bodies, including the sun, moon, and planets.

Which Indian philosopher proposed the theory of Karma and reincarnation, emphasizing the moral consequences of actions?

  1. Kapila

  2. Kanada

  3. Charvaka

  4. Gautama Buddha


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, taught the concept of Karma and reincarnation. He emphasized that the actions of an individual in this life determine their future existence, and that the goal of life is to achieve liberation from the cycle of birth and rebirth.

What is the name of the Indian medical text that is considered one of the most important contributions to ancient medicine?

  1. Charaka Samhita

  2. Sushruta Samhita

  3. Ashtanga Hridaya

  4. Bhagavata Purana


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The Charaka Samhita is an ancient Indian medical text that is attributed to the physician Charaka. It is considered one of the most important contributions to ancient medicine and covers a wide range of topics, including anatomy, physiology, pathology, and treatment.

Which Indian philosopher argued that the world is composed of four elements (earth, water, fire, and air) and that all change is due to the interaction of these elements?

  1. Kapila

  2. Kanada

  3. Charvaka

  4. Gautama Buddha


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Kapila, the founder of the Samkhya school of Indian philosophy, proposed the theory that the world is composed of four elements (earth, water, fire, and air). He argued that all change is due to the interaction of these elements and that the goal of life is to achieve liberation from the cycle of birth and rebirth.

What is the name of the Indian philosopher who developed the theory of atomism, proposing that all matter is composed of tiny, indivisible particles?

  1. Kapila

  2. Kanada

  3. Charvaka

  4. Gautama Buddha


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Kanada, the founder of the Vaisheshika school of Indian philosophy, developed the theory of atomism. He proposed that all matter is composed of tiny, indivisible particles called atoms and that these atoms combine to form larger objects.

Which Indian philosopher argued that the world is an illusion and that the only reality is Brahman, the ultimate, unchanging reality?

  1. Kapila

  2. Kanada

  3. Charvaka

  4. Adi Shankara


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Adi Shankara, a renowned Indian philosopher and theologian, argued that the world is an illusion and that the only reality is Brahman, the ultimate, unchanging reality. He propounded the Advaita Vedanta school of thought, which emphasizes the non-duality of the individual self and Brahman.

What is the name of the ancient Indian mathematical treatise that contains rules for arithmetic, geometry, and algebra?

  1. Sulba Sutras

  2. Aryabhatiya

  3. Brahma Siddhanta

  4. Vishnu Purana


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The Sulba Sutras are ancient Indian mathematical texts that contain rules for arithmetic, geometry, and algebra. They are believed to have been composed between the 8th and 6th centuries BCE and are significant for their contributions to the development of mathematics in India.

Which Indian philosopher argued that the world is composed of two fundamental substances, matter and consciousness, and that these substances interact to produce the phenomenal world?

  1. Kapila

  2. Kanada

  3. Charvaka

  4. Samkhya Karika


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The Samkhya Karika is an ancient Indian philosophical text that presents the Samkhya school of thought. It argues that the world is composed of two fundamental substances, matter and consciousness, and that these substances interact to produce the phenomenal world.

What is the name of the Indian philosopher who developed the theory of Navya-Nyaya, a new school of logic and epistemology?

  1. Gangesha Upadhyaya

  2. Vasubandhu

  3. Asanga

  4. Shantideva


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Gangesha Upadhyaya was an Indian philosopher who developed the theory of Navya-Nyaya, a new school of logic and epistemology. He is known for his work on the theory of inference and his contributions to the development of Indian logic.

Which Indian philosopher argued that the world is composed of five elements (earth, water, fire, air, and ether) and that these elements combine to form all objects in the universe?

  1. Kapila

  2. Kanada

  3. Charvaka

  4. Maharishi Patanjali


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Maharishi Patanjali, the author of the Yoga Sutras, argued that the world is composed of five elements (earth, water, fire, air, and ether) and that these elements combine to form all objects in the universe. He also developed the concept of the eight limbs of yoga as a path to spiritual liberation.

What is the name of the ancient Indian text that contains a collection of hymns, prayers, and philosophical speculations?

  1. Rigveda

  2. Atharvaveda

  3. Yajurveda

  4. Samaveda


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The Rigveda is the oldest of the four Vedas, the sacred texts of Hinduism. It contains a collection of hymns, prayers, and philosophical speculations that provide insights into the religious and cultural beliefs of ancient India.

- Hide questions