Freedom of speech

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Freedom of speech

by clar » Thu Jul 09, 2009 3:06 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.

The OA is D

But how can we rule out C?
Source: — Critical Reasoning |

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by gauravkhare » Thu Jul 09, 2009 3:20 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.

D is correct answer.
Choice is betwwen C and D. Rest all are clear rejection. C undermines the conclusion by attacking the premises. It says govt job is something else also other than satify wants. Hence it indirectly undermines the conclusion that freedom of speech is essential.
On the other hand D supports the conclusion by accepting the that freedom of speech is essential.
gaurav

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by ssmiles08 » Thu Jul 09, 2009 10:41 am
IMO D.

The conclusion is that freedom is absolutely necessary for a healthy state.

All 4 choices undermine that conclusion.

choice D is out of scope and bears no connection to the conclusion. So it does NOT undermine the conclusion.

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by BlindVision » Thu Jul 09, 2009 11:33 pm
clar wrote: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.

The OA is D

But how can we rule out C?
Choice D

D) Focus on the last two words as well, which means since social order is necessary, then freedom of speech is necessary as well, although freedom of speech is not [soley] sufficient for a healthy society.

This answer choice does not undermine the conclusion, it does support the conclusion by appearing itself as a half-moon picture instead of a full-moon picture, however, freedom of speech ties its support with social order by using as well.

Choice D
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by james33 » Sun May 15, 2016 8:26 pm
Looking at it now, D makes sense