Modern Technology

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Modern Technology

by ssgmatter » Mon Apr 05, 2010 8:59 am
Please explain with reasons....

Columnist: The relief from the drudgery of physical
labor that much modern technology affords its
users renders them dependent on this technology,
and, more importantly, on the elaborate energy
systems required to run it. This leads to a loss of
self-sufficiency. Clearly, then, in addition to
undermining life's charm, much modern technology
diminishes the overall well-being of its users.
Which one of the following is an assumption required
by the columnist's argument?
(A) Physical labor is essential to a fulfilling life.
(B) Self-sufficiency contributes to a person's well-being.
(C) People are not free if they must depend on
anything other than their own capacities.
(D) Anything causing a loss in life's charm is
unjustifiable unless this loss is compensated by
some gain.
(E) Technology inherently limits the well-being of
its users.
Best-
Amit
Source: — Critical Reasoning |

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by thephoenix » Mon Apr 05, 2010 9:33 am
imo B

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by subgeeth » Mon Apr 05, 2010 10:09 am
IMO E

Clearly, then, in addition to
undermining life’s charm, much modern technology
diminishes the overall well-being of its users

The is against modern technology and its effects


Which one of the following is an assumption required
by the columnist’s argument?
(A) Physical labor is essential to a fulfilling life. -This is going far ahead of the argument
(B) Self-sufficiency contributes to a person’s well-being. -may be true but the argument is about technology
(C) People are not free if they must depend on
anything other than their own capacities. out of scope
(D) Anything causing a loss in life’s charm is
unjustifiable unless this loss is compensated by
some gain. -out of scope
(E) Technology inherently limits the well-being of
its users.-Correct answer

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by Phirozz » Mon Apr 05, 2010 9:42 pm
ssgmatter wrote:Please explain with reasons....

Columnist: The relief from the drudgery of physical
labor that much modern technology affords its
users renders them dependent on this technology,
and, more importantly, on the elaborate energy
systems required to run it. This leads to a loss of
self-sufficiency. Clearly, then, in addition to
undermining life's charm, much modern technology
diminishes the overall well-being of its users.
Which one of the following is an assumption required
by the columnist's argument?
(A) Physical labor is essential to a fulfilling life.
(B) Self-sufficiency contributes to a person's well-being.
(C) People are not free if they must depend on
anything other than their own capacities.
(D) Anything causing a loss in life's charm is
unjustifiable unless this loss is compensated by
some gain.
(E) Technology inherently limits the well-being of
its users.
IMO B

According to last sentence, modern technology diminishes the overall well-being.
According to first two sentences, modern technology leads to loss of self suffiency.

To conclude that 1st is the cause of 2nd, we need to link above two sentences. And B clearly provides that link ''self sufficiency contributes to a person's well-being''
Last edited by Phirozz on Mon Apr 05, 2010 11:23 pm, edited 2 times in total.

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by aspirant2010 » Mon Apr 05, 2010 11:03 pm
One more vote for B.....kindly let me know the correct answer also.

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by neoreaves » Mon Apr 05, 2010 11:48 pm
Agreed ...answer should be B ...what is the OA ?

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by paddle_sweep » Sun Apr 18, 2010 8:47 pm
The answer is "B". Pls confirm the OA.

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by reply2spg » Thu Apr 22, 2010 4:29 pm
Agree with the B
ssgmatter wrote:Please explain with reasons....

Columnist: The relief from the drudgery of physical
labor that much modern technology affords its
users renders them dependent on this technology,
and, more importantly, on the elaborate energy
systems required to run it. This leads to a loss of
self-sufficiency. Clearly, then, in addition to
undermining life's charm, much modern technology
diminishes the overall well-being of its users.
Which one of the following is an assumption required
by the columnist's argument?
(A) Physical labor is essential to a fulfilling life.
(B) Self-sufficiency contributes to a person's well-being.
(C) People are not free if they must depend on
anything other than their own capacities.
(D) Anything causing a loss in life's charm is
unjustifiable unless this loss is compensated by
some gain.
(E) Technology inherently limits the well-being of
its users.

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by bichoo » Fri Apr 23, 2010 5:17 am
Agree with B, its the only one that links self-sufficiency to a person's well-being. I can see why some would choose E but after looking carefully, E just repeats what is already stated in the last line of the argument:

Argument: Technology diminishes well-being
Answer E: Technology limits the well-being

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by akhpad » Fri Apr 23, 2010 5:34 am
I agree with B.

Initiator does not post OA. OA is must.

However, I found this question in some source and OA is B.

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by gmatmachoman » Fri Apr 23, 2010 8:52 am
akhp77 wrote:I agree with B.

Initiator does not post OA. OA is must.

However, I found this question in some source and OA is B.
appreciate your comments!!