UPSC Mains 2021 GS4 Q3c — Philosophical quotes

"This list of functions in a sense answers the question asked above: we need political parties because they perform all these functions. But we still need to ask why modern democracies cannot exist without political parties. We can understand the necessity of political parties by imagining a situation without parties. Every candidate in the elections will be independent. So no one will be able to make any promises to the people about any major policy changes. The government may be formed, but its utility will remain ever uncertain. Elected representatives will be accountable to their constituen…"

"1. Complete the following table 1. | Raw materials 2. | Products 3. | Word equation 4. | Importance • 2. Imagine a situation where all the organisms that carry out photosynthesis on the earth have disappeared. What would be the impact of this on living organisms?• 3. A potato slice shows the presence of starch with iodine solution. Where does the starch in potatoes come from? Where is the food synthesised in the plant, and how does it reach the potato?• 4. Does the broad and fl at structure of leaves make plants more effi cient for photosynthesis? Justify your answer.• 5.…"

"Mars lies at the edge of the Sun's habitable zone. Several spacecrafts have been sent to Mars, rovers have landed and explored its surface, but no proof of life has been found yet. However, scientists think that in the past, Mars may have had liquid water—maybe even some lakes—and conditions that could support simple life forms (Fig. 13.6). This is one reason Mars continues to interest scientists. It also reminds us that science doesn't always have final answers. As we explore more, we may find new clues—or even new kinds of life. Science stays open to change when we learn more.…"

"We learnt above that combustible substances and oxygen are necessary for combustion. We also know that paper is a combustible substance, but we can keep it in the air for any length of time without it catching fi re. What else is needed to start combustion? Let us learn about this.…"

"Do we not learn mathematics although not all of us will become mathematicians or engineers? Is it not because basic arithmetic is useful to life in general? Secondly, we are all going to be citizens entitled to vote and decide other issues. To act responsibly, it is helpful to have a basic knowledge of the political ideas and institutions that shape the world we live in. In the information society, it is crucial that we learn to be reasonable and informed if we are to participate in gram sabhas or offer our views on websites and polls. If we simply express arbitrary preferences, we will not be…"