The Problem of Free Will in Indian Philosophy

Description: This quiz is designed to assess your understanding of the concept of free will in Indian philosophy. It covers various perspectives and arguments related to the existence and nature of free will, as well as the implications of these ideas for ethical and religious thought.
Number of Questions: 15
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Which ancient Indian philosophical school is known for its emphasis on the concept of karma and the idea that one's actions in this life determine their fate in the next?

  1. Nyaya

  2. Vaisheshika

  3. Samkhya

  4. Vedanta


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The Samkhya school of Indian philosophy emphasizes the concept of karma and the idea that one's actions in this life determine their fate in the next.

According to the Nyaya-Vaisheshika school, what is the primary cause of human action?

  1. Desire

  2. Aversion

  3. Ignorance

  4. Free will


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The Nyaya-Vaisheshika school of Indian philosophy holds that desire is the primary cause of human action.

In the context of Indian philosophy, what is the term for the idea that the self is ultimately free from all desires and attachments?

  1. Moksha

  2. Nirvana

  3. Brahman

  4. Atman


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Moksha is the term used in Indian philosophy to refer to the idea that the self is ultimately free from all desires and attachments.

Which Indian philosopher argued that the concept of free will is incompatible with the idea of a predetermined universe?

  1. Adi Shankara

  2. Ramanuja

  3. Madhvacharya

  4. Nimbarka


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Adi Shankara, a prominent philosopher of the Advaita Vedanta school, argued that the concept of free will is incompatible with the idea of a predetermined universe.

According to the Advaita Vedanta school, what is the ultimate reality that underlies all existence?

  1. Brahman

  2. Atman

  3. Maya

  4. Karma


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The Advaita Vedanta school of Indian philosophy posits Brahman as the ultimate reality that underlies all existence.

In the context of Indian philosophy, what is the term for the idea that the individual self is an illusion and that there is only one ultimate reality?

  1. Maya

  2. Brahman

  3. Atman

  4. Moksha


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Maya is the term used in Indian philosophy to refer to the idea that the individual self is an illusion and that there is only one ultimate reality.

Which Indian philosopher argued that the concept of free will is compatible with the idea of a predetermined universe, as long as the universe is itself governed by moral laws?

  1. Ramanuja

  2. Madhvacharya

  3. Nimbarka

  4. Vallabha


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Ramanuja, a prominent philosopher of the Vishishtadvaita Vedanta school, argued that the concept of free will is compatible with the idea of a predetermined universe, as long as the universe is itself governed by moral laws.

According to the Vishishtadvaita Vedanta school, what is the relationship between Brahman and the individual self?

  1. Brahman is the ultimate reality and the individual self is an illusion

  2. Brahman is the ultimate reality and the individual self is a part of it

  3. Brahman and the individual self are separate and distinct entities

  4. Brahman and the individual self are identical


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The Vishishtadvaita Vedanta school holds that Brahman is the ultimate reality and the individual self is a part of it.

Which Indian philosopher argued that the concept of free will is compatible with the idea of a predetermined universe, as long as there is a distinction between the higher self and the lower self?

  1. Madhvacharya

  2. Nimbarka

  3. Vallabha

  4. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Madhvacharya, a prominent philosopher of the Dvaita Vedanta school, argued that the concept of free will is compatible with the idea of a predetermined universe, as long as there is a distinction between the higher self and the lower self.

According to the Dvaita Vedanta school, what is the relationship between Brahman and the individual self?

  1. Brahman is the ultimate reality and the individual self is an illusion

  2. Brahman is the ultimate reality and the individual self is a part of it

  3. Brahman and the individual self are separate and distinct entities

  4. Brahman and the individual self are identical


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The Dvaita Vedanta school posits that Brahman and the individual self are separate and distinct entities.

Which Indian philosopher argued that the concept of free will is compatible with the idea of a predetermined universe, as long as there is a distinction between the soul and the body?

  1. Nimbarka

  2. Vallabha

  3. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu

  4. Sri Aurobindo


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Nimbarka, a prominent philosopher of the Dvaitadvaita Vedanta school, argued that the concept of free will is compatible with the idea of a predetermined universe, as long as there is a distinction between the soul and the body.

According to the Dvaitadvaita Vedanta school, what is the relationship between Brahman and the individual self?

  1. Brahman is the ultimate reality and the individual self is an illusion

  2. Brahman is the ultimate reality and the individual self is a part of it

  3. Brahman and the individual self are separate and distinct entities

  4. Brahman and the individual self are identical


Correct Option:
Explanation:

The Dvaitadvaita Vedanta school holds that Brahman and the individual self are distinct, but not separate.

Which Indian philosopher argued that the concept of free will is compatible with the idea of a predetermined universe, as long as there is a distinction between the higher self and the lower self, and between the soul and the body?

  1. Vallabha

  2. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu

  3. Sri Aurobindo

  4. Swami Vivekananda


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Vallabha, a prominent philosopher of the Shuddhadvaita Vedanta school, argued that the concept of free will is compatible with the idea of a predetermined universe, as long as there is a distinction between the higher self and the lower self, and between the soul and the body.

According to the Shuddhadvaita Vedanta school, what is the relationship between Brahman and the individual self?

  1. Brahman is the ultimate reality and the individual self is an illusion

  2. Brahman is the ultimate reality and the individual self is a part of it

  3. Brahman and the individual self are separate and distinct entities

  4. Brahman and the individual self are identical


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The Shuddhadvaita Vedanta school posits that Brahman and the individual self are identical.

Which Indian philosopher argued that the concept of free will is compatible with the idea of a predetermined universe, as long as there is a distinction between the higher self and the lower self, the soul and the body, and between the individual self and the cosmic self?

  1. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu

  2. Sri Aurobindo

  3. Swami Vivekananda

  4. Rabindranath Tagore


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, a prominent philosopher of the Gaudiya Vaishnavism school, argued that the concept of free will is compatible with the idea of a predetermined universe, as long as there is a distinction between the higher self and the lower self, the soul and the body, and between the individual self and the cosmic self.

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