Best Philosophy Books for UPSC Optional
Philosophy books for UPSC preparation develop an understanding of important concepts and theories. Philosophy books for the UPSC optional paper must be selected with caution.
Deeksha Dixit25 Jul, 2024
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Philosophy Books for UPSC: In the UPSC Mains exam, optional papers have a significant role with 500 marks weightage. To secure high marks in this subject, many candidates choose Philosophy as their optional subject due to its relatively short syllabus and utility in the essay paper.
This is why thorough preparation with the right resources, such as expert-recommended Philosophy books for the UPSC, is crucial. With the right set of philosophy books, aspirants can easily develop a thorough knowledge and a solid foundation for writing answers. Get the list of paper-wise Philosophy optional books here.Philosophy Books for UPSC Mains Optional
For the UPSC CSE Mains exam, selecting philosophy as an optional subject can be a strategic choice due to its concise syllabus. The philosophy optional syllabus encompasses various schools of thought in both Indian and Western philosophy, including Rationalism, Logical Positivism, Existentialism, and Vedanta. A good command of philosophical theories and arguments can provide substantial material for answer writing and essays, helping candidates articulate their viewpoints effectively. The best philosophy books for UPSC provide comprehensive coverage of the syllabus while developing analytical and critical thinking skills to enhance the chances of securing high marks in the exam.Also Read: UPSC Mains Syllabus
Philosophy Books for UPSC Optional Paper 1
The syllabus for Paper 1 covers history, problems of philosophy, and Indian and Western thoughts. To prepare the concepts of Philosophy Paper 1 effectively, it's crucial to use books that provide clear explanations of these fundamental concepts. Philosophy books for UPSC Optional Paper 1 offer insights into the works of major philosophers. Here is the list of philosophy books to be referred to in preparation for optional paper 1:| Philosophy Books for UPSC Optional Paper 1 | |
| Books | Authors |
| History & Problems of Philosophy | |
| An Introduction to Philosophy | Simon Blackburn |
| A Critical History of Western Philosophy: (Greek, Medieval and Modern) | Y Masih |
| Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy | Oxford |
| Western Philosophy | |
| A History of Western Philosophy | Bertrand Russell |
| Philosophy: The Classics | Nigel Warburton |
| Ethics: The Fundamentals | Julia Driver |
| Indian Philosophy | |
| An Introduction to Indian Philosophy | Satishchandra Chatterjee |
| Contemporary Indian Philosophy | Basant Kumar Lal |
Also Read: UPSC General Studies IV Syllabus
Philosophy Books for UPSC Optional Paper 2
UPSC Philosophy Optional Paper 2 covers socio-political philosophy and the philosophy of religion. It delves into complex themes such as justice, liberty, equality, political ideologies, and notions of God. To excel in this paper, candidates need to study high-quality philosophy books that explore these topics in depth. Read the following philosophy books for UPSC optional paper 2 for a thorough understanding of its syllabus:| Philosophy Books for UPSC Optional Paper 2 | |
| Books | Authors |
| Philosophy of Religion | John Hick |
| An Introduction To Political Theory | O. P. Gauba |
| Political Theory, An Introduction | Rajeev Bhargava & Ashok Acharya. |
| A History of Political Thought: Plato to Marx | Mukherjee & Ramaswamy |
| Oxford Dictionary of Politics | Oxford |
Philosophy Books for UPSC in Hindi
UPSC की तैयारी में हिंदी में दार्शनिक पुस्तकों का महत्वपूर्ण योगदान होता है। यहां कुछ प्रमुख दार्शनिक पुस्तकों का संक्षिप्त विवरण है जो UPSC IAS Mains की तैयारी में उपयोगी हो सकते हैं। ये पुस्तकें भारतीय और पश्चिमी दर्शन, नैतिकता, तार्किकता, और अन्य दार्शनिक विषयों पर समग्र और समझदार चर्चा प्रदान करती हैं। इन पुस्तकों का अध्ययन करके अभ्यर्थी दार्शनिक सिद्धांतों को समझ, विश्लेषण और उनके विचारों को प्रभावी ढंग से प्रस्तुत करने की क्षमता विकसित कर सकते हैं।| Philosophy Books for UPSC in Hindi | |
| Books | Authors |
| दार्शनिक सिद्धांत और सिद्धांतकार | Dr. Balbir Singh |
| दार्शनिक चिंतन | Dr. Chandradhar Sharma |
| भारतीय दर्शन | Dr. S. Radhakrishnan |
| समकालीन पश्चिमी दर्शन | Nityanand Misra |
| आधुनिक परिवेश और अस्तित्ववाद | Shiv Prasaad Singh |
Philosophy Books for UPSC Optional By Toppers
UPSC toppers like Avinash Kumar and Divya Mishra have highlighted the significance of choosing relevant philosophy books for UPSC optional preparation. Topper recommends philosophy books that not only help students understand complex topics with clarity but also develop analytical skills to boost their scores. Here is the list of philosophy books for UPSC by toppers:| Philosophy Books for UPSC Optional By Toppers | ||
| Book Title | Author | Description |
| A Critical History of Western Philosophy | Y. Masih | Comparative account of Greek, medieval, and modern thinkers |
| An Introduction to Indian Philosophy | S. Chatterjee | Covers ethics, logic, psychology, and epistemology in Indian thought |
| Existentialism – A Very Short Introduction | Thomas Flynn | Explores existential themes of Nietzsche, Heidegger, Kierkegaard, and others |
| An Introduction to Political Theory | O. P. Gauba | Concepts of social and political philosophy |
| A Critical Survey of Indian Philosophy | C. D. Sharma | Overview of Indian philosophy, orthodox and heterodox schools |
| Indian Philosophy, A Counter Perspective | Dr. Daya Krishna | A unique perspective on Indian philosophy |
Strategy to Cover Philosophy Books for UPSC
Preparing for philosophy optional demands a thoughtful strategy since merely reading books is insufficient. Candidates must put in extra dedicated effort to score above 300 marks. Here’s how to cover philosophy books for UPSC optional:- Grasp the key topics outlined in the philosophy syllabus to prioritize your reading.
- Begin with foundational books like An Introduction to Philosophy to build a strong base.
- Move on to more complex topics such as theories of modern philosophers to deepen your understanding.
- Make concise notes of important concepts, terms, arguments, and examples for revision.
- Use online resources to understand topics in detail and update information as per the latest ideas.
- Solve PYQs and attempt mock tests to assess your answer writing skills in philosophy optional and identify areas for improvement.
| UPSC Related Articles | ||
| UPSC Prelims Mock Test 2024 | UPSC Optional | UPSC Prelims Admit Card |
| UPSC Study Material | UPSC Scholarship Test 2024 | UPSC Mains Admit Card |
Philosophy Books For UPSC FAQs
Which book is standard for UPSC philosophy optional?
Standard books for UPSC philosophy optional include "A Critical History of Western Philosophy" by Y. Masih and "An Introduction to Indian Philosophy" by S. Chatterjee.
How can I start studying philosophy for UPSC?
Start by understanding the syllabus and then read foundational books. Make concise notes and practice answer writing regularly.
Which philosophy book is best to start with for UPSC?
Beginners can start with "An Introduction to Philosophy" by Simon Blackburn for a comprehensive overview of philosophical concepts.
Which is the best source for UPSC philosophy optional?
The best sources for UPSC philosophy optional include standard textbooks such as "A Critical History of Western Philosophy" by Y. Masih.
Are philosophy books sufficient for UPSC optional?
Apart from reading standard philosophy books, candidates should utilize online lectures, and coaching materials to cover the syllabus and practice answer writing for UPSC optional.
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