Comprehension

Whatever philosophy may be, it is in the world and must relate to it. It breaks through the shell of the world in order to move into the infinite. But it turns back in order to find in the finite its always unique historical foundation. It pushes into the furthest horizons beyond being-in-the-world in order to experience the present in the eternal. But even the profoundest meditation acquires its meaning by relating back to man’s existence here and now.
Philosophy glimpses the highest criteria, the starry heaven of the possible, and seeks in the light of the seemingly impossible the way to man’s dignity in the phenomenon of his empirical existence. Philosophy addresses itself to individuals. It creates a free community of those who rely on each other in their will for truth.
Into this community the philosophic man would like to enter. It is there in the world all the time, but cannot become a worldly institution without losing freedom of its truth. He cannot know whether he belongs to it. No authority decides on his acceptance. He wants to live in his thinking in such a way as to make his acceptance possible. But how does the world relate to philosophy? There are chairs of philosophy at the universities. Nowadays they are an embarrassment. Philosophy is politely respected because of tradition, but despised in secret. The general opinion is: it has nothing of importance to say. Neither has it any practical value. It is named in public but does it really exist? Its existence is proved at least by the defence measures it provokes.
We can see this in the form of comments like: Philosophy is too complicate(d) I don’t understand it. It’s beyond me. It’s something for professionals. I have no gift for it. Therefore it doesn’t concern me. But that is like saying: I don’t need to bother work or scholarship without thinking or questioning its meaning, and, for the rest, have ‘opinions’ and be content with that. The defence becomes fanatical. A benighted vital instinct hates philosophy. It is dangerous. If I understood it I would have to change my life. I would find myself in another frame of mind, see everything in a different light, have to judge anew. Better now think philosophically! Then come the accusers, who want to replace the obsolete philosophy by something new and totally different. It is mistrusted as the utterly mendacious end product of a bankrupt theology. The meaninglessness of philosophical propositions is made fun of. Philosophy is denounced as the willing handmaiden of political and other powers.
For many politicians, their wretched trade would be easier if philosophy did not exist at all. Masses and functionaries are easier to manipulate when they do not think but only have a regimented intelligence. People must be prevented from becoming serious. Therefore, it is better for philosophy to be boring. Let the chairs of philosophy rot. The more piffle is taught, the sooner people will be blinkered against the light of philosophy. Thus philosophy is surrounded by enemies, most of whom are not conscious of being such. Bourgeois complacency only acknowledges the satisfactions of economic prosperity, the appreciation of science only for its technical achievements, the abilities of men only in so far as they produce results capable of exploitation. They do not see philosophy in all values — in all these things people are alienated from philosophy. They do not see philosophy as the absolute will to truth.

Question: 1

A suitable title for the passage would be

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When identifying a title, look for the central argument or primary stance of the passage rather than isolated details.
Updated On: Aug 6, 2025
  • Man and Philosophy
  • Philosophical Angst
  • A Defence of Philosophy
  • The Enemies of Philosophy
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The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

The passage repeatedly discusses the necessity, value, and challenges faced by philosophy in modern times. It highlights how philosophy is both respected and despised, how it is attacked and defended, and why it must continue to exist despite these attacks. The overall tone is defensive — aiming to establish why philosophy is essential for dignity, truth, and free thought. Out of the options, \textit{A Defence of Philosophy} captures this intent perfectly. The other options are either too vague (a), imply a negative bias not present in the passage (b), or overemphasise opposition rather than defence (d).
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Question: 2

Which of the following is true, keeping the passage in mind?

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When both statements are explicitly mentioned in the passage, the correct answer often combines them — provided they are not contradictory.
Updated On: Aug 6, 2025
  • Philosophy is evidently respected
  • Philosophy is secretly despised
  • Both (a) and (b)
  • Neither (a) nor (b)
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The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

The passage states that “Philosophy is politely respected because of tradition, but despised in secret.” This clearly affirms that it has a formal respectability in society (option a) but also harbours a hidden disregard (option b). Therefore, both are correct. This duality is a central theme in the author's critique of contemporary attitudes toward philosophy.
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Question: 3

Which of the following is not a charge against philosophy?

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Carefully scan for exact phrases in the passage; “not mentioned” questions require pinpoint matching rather than interpretation.
Updated On: Aug 6, 2025
  • That it is obsolete
  • That it is mendacious
  • That it is the handmaiden of political powers
  • That it is immoral
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The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

The passage lists several accusations: philosophy being obsolete, a mendacious product of bankrupt theology, and a willing servant (handmaiden) of political and other powers. However, nowhere is immorality explicitly charged against philosophy. Thus, (d) is the correct choice as it is not mentioned in the text.
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Question: 4

Which of the following is not mentioned as a function of philosophy in the passage?

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Distinguish between what is explicitly stated and what could be inferred; in “not mentioned” questions, inferred ideas are not acceptable.
Updated On: Aug 6, 2025
  • It shows the way to man's dignity in the face of his empirical existence.
  • It breaks through the shell of the world in order to move into the infinite.
  • It pushes into the furthest horizons beyond being in the worl(d)
  • It makes the world a better place to live in.
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The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Options (a), (b), and (c) are directly mentioned in the opening lines as functions or descriptions of philosophy. However, while philosophy might indirectly improve the world, the passage does not state “making the world a better place” as one of its explicit functions. Thus, (d) is the correct answer.
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Question: 5

Why according to the passage, would the politicians be happy if philosophy did not exist?

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Look for cause-effect reasoning in the passage when the question asks “why” something would happen.
Updated On: Aug 6, 2025
  • Masses would be easier to manipulate as they would not think for themselves.
  • They would not have to make false allegiances to ideologies.
  • They would not have to face allegations of ignoring philosophy.
  • They would not have to be philosophical about losing an election.
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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

The passage explicitly states: “Masses and functionaries are easier to manipulate when they do not think but only have a regimented intelligence.” This links the absence of philosophy to easier manipulation by politicians, making (a) correct. The other options are not supported by the text.
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Question: 6

The word 'chairs', in the context of the passage, means

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For vocabulary-in-context, replace the term with possible synonyms in the sentence to see which preserves the meaning.
Updated On: Aug 6, 2025
  • wooden-faced people.
  • departments.
  • separate chairs for philosophers.
  • reserved seats for students of philosophy.
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

In academic context, “chairs of philosophy” refers to positions or departments in universities dedicated to teaching philosophy. The passage uses “chairs” in this institutional sense, not as literal furniture or seats for students.
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Question: 7

According to the author, the existence of philosophy is proved by

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When a question asks “proved by” or “evidence for,” look for explicit statements in the passage that use words like “proved,” “shown by,” or “evidence of.”
Updated On: Aug 6, 2025
  • the fact that there are still chairs of philosophy in universities.
  • the defence measures it provokes.
  • the polite respect it gets.
  • the fact that it answers its fundamental questions.
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

The author explicitly states: “Its existence is proved at least by the defence measures it provokes.” This means the continuous attacks and defensive responses are evidence that philosophy is still alive and active. Hence, (b) is directly taken from the text.
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