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Function of government

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by sumitkhurana » Fri Mar 06, 2009 10:27 am
The function of government is to satisfy the genuine wants of the masses, and government cannot satisfy those wants unless it is informed about what those wants are. Freedom of speech ensures that such information will reach the ears of government officials. Therefore, freedom of speech is indispensable for a healthy state.
Which one of the following, if true, would NOT undermine the conclusion of the argument?
(A) People most often do not know what they genuinely want.
(B) Freedom of speech tends ultimately to undermine social order, and social order is a prerequisite for satisfying the wants of the masses.
(C) The proper function of government is not to satisfy wants, but to provide equality of opportunity.
(D) Freedom of speech is not sufficient for satisfying the wants of the masses: social order is necessary as well.
(E) Rulers already know what the people want.
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Source: — Critical Reasoning |

by scoobydooby » Fri Mar 06, 2009 11:20 am
D?

A) out of scope

B) undermines the conclusion. freedom of speech is not indispensable. Social order is indispensable

C) out of scope

D) freedom of speech as well as social order is neccessary. It does not undermine that freedom of speech is indispensable

E ) out of scope
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by Eye-on-the-Prize » Fri Mar 06, 2009 11:28 am
I would go with D.

The conclusion of the argument is "...freedom of speech is indispensable for a healthy state."

a) If people do not know what they want, freedom of speech will not help - undermines the conclusion

b) Catch 22. If freedom of speech undermines social order, and social order is needed to satisfy the wants, then freedom of speech undermines the very purpose for which it is being offered - undermines the conclusion

c) The proper function of government is the premise of the argument. If this is true than the conclusion makes no sense because freedom of speech is not offered as a solution for equalit of opportunity - undermines the conclusion

d) If freedom of speech and social order are necessary to satisfy the wants then it does not make freedom of speech dispensable, but merely makes both indispensable - does not undermine the conlcusion, but makes it incomplete

e) If Rulers already know what people want, then freedom of speech is not necessary and therefore not indispensable - undermines the conclusion

OA please?
Expect to win
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by dendude » Fri Mar 06, 2009 12:27 pm
D.
Freedom of speech alone is not enough - it acknowledges that freedom of speech is necessary, therefore does not undermine.
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by mason77 » Sat May 14, 2016 1:26 am
I also choose D
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