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Two modes of argumentation have been used on behalf of [#permalink]
 05 Nov 2007, 03:27
Two modes of argumentation have been used on
behalf of women’s emancipation in Western societies.
Arguments in what could be called the “relational”
feminist tradition maintain the doctrine of “equality in
(5) difference,” or equity as distinct for equality. They
posit that biological distinctions between the sexes
result in a necessary sexual division of labor in the
family and throughout society and that women’s pro-
creative labor is currently undervalued by society, to
(10) the disadvantage of women. By contrast, the individual-
ist feminist tradition emphasizes individual human rights
and celebrates women’s quest for personal autonomy,
while downplaying the importance of gender roles and
minimizing discussion of childbearing and its attendant
(15) responsibilities.
Before the late nineteenth century, these views
coexisted within the feminist movement, often within
the writings of the same individual. Between 1890 nd
1920, however, relational feminism, which had been the
(20) dominant strain in feminist thought, and which still pre-
dominates among European and non-Western feminists,
lost ground in England and the United States. Because
the concept of individual rights was already well estab-
lished in the Anglo-Saxon legal and political tradition,
(25) individualist feminism came to predominate in English-
speaking countries. At the same time, the goals of the
two approaches began to seem increasingly irreconcil-
able. Individualist feminists began to advocate a totally
gender-blind system with equal rights for all. Relational
(30) feminists, while agreeing that equal educational and
economic opportunities outside the home should be avail-
able for all women, continued to emphasize women’s
special contributions to society as homemakers and
mothers; they demanded special treatment
(35) including protective legislation for women workers,
state-sponsored maternity benefits, and paid compensa-
tion for housework.
Relational arguments have a major pitfall: because
they underline women’s physiological and psychological
(40) distinctiveness, they are often appropriated by political
adversaries and used to endorse male privilege. But the
individualist approach, by attacking gender roles, deny-
ing the significance of physiological difference, and
condemning existing familial institutions as hopelessly
(45) patriarchal, has often simply treated as irrelevant the
family roles important to many women. If the individu-
alist framework, with its claim for women’s autonomy,
could be harmonized with the family-oriented concerns
of relational feminists, a more fruitful model for con-
(50) temporary feminist politics could emerge.
The passage suggests that the author of the passage
believes which of the following?
(A) The predominance of individualist feminism in
English-speaking countries is a historical
phenomenon, the causes of which have not yet
been investigated.
(B) The individualist and relational feminist views are
irreconcilable, given their theoretical differences
concerning the foundations of society.
(C) A consensus concerning the direction of future
feminist politics will probably soon emerge, given
the awareness among feminists of the need for
cooperation among women.
(D) Political adversaries of feminism often misuse
arguments predicated on differences between the
sexes to argue that the existing social system
should be maintained.
(E) Relational feminism provides the best theoretical
framework for contemporary feminist politics, but
individualist feminism could contribute much
toward refining and strengthening modern feminist
thought.
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Hi,
i believe that E is the ans . Read the last 4 lines:
If the individu-
alist framework, with its claim for women’s autonomy,
could be harmonized with the family-oriented concerns
of relational feminists, a more fruitful model for con-
(50) temporary feminist politics could emerge.
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Director
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The passage suggests that the author of the passage
believes which of the following?
(A) The predominance of individualist feminism in
English-speaking countries is a historical
phenomenon, the causes of which have not yet
been investigated.
-- The passage states:
Because the concept of individual rights was already well
established in the Anglo-Saxon legal and political tradition,
individualist feminism came to predominate in English-
speaking countries.
(B) The individualist and relational feminist views are
irreconcilable, given their theoretical differences
concerning the foundations of society.
The passage states:
Before the late nineteenth century, these views
coexisted within the feminist movement, often within
the writings of the same individual.
I guess (B) is not true.
(C) A consensus concerning the direction of future
feminist politics will probably soon emerge, given
the awareness among feminists of the need for
cooperation among women.
(D) Political adversaries of feminism often misuse
arguments predicated on differences between the
sexes to argue that the existing social system
should be maintained.
The passage states this about relational, not individual feminism:
Relational arguments have a major pitfall: because
they underline women’s physiological and psychological
distinctiveness, they are often appropriated by political
adversaries and used to endorse male privilege.
(E) Relational feminism provides the best theoretical
framework for contemporary feminist politics, but
individualist feminism could contribute much
toward refining and strengthening modern feminist
thought.
From this info, two choices look good. (C) and (E).
I think (E) is incorrect because individualist feminism contributes to feminist politics. (The opposite is mentioned in the choice).
I would go for (C) by POE. What is the OA?
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Re: RC: what is the right answer? [#permalink]
05 Nov 2007, 10:58
The answer is between D and E. I am going for D.
serf87 wrote: The passage suggests that the author of the passage
believes which of the following?
(D) Political adversaries of feminism often misuse
arguments predicated on differences between the
sexes to argue that the existing social system
should be maintained.
Lines 40/41 give this information: Relational arguments have a major pitfall: because they underline women’s physiological and psychological distinctiveness, they are often appropriated by political adversaries and used to endorse male privilege. It does not matter that the arguments are put forth by relational feminists and not individual feminists.. the important part is political adversaries are misusing those arguments
(E) Relational feminism provides the best theoretical
framework for contemporary feminist politics, but
individualist feminism could contribute much
toward refining and strengthening modern feminist
thought.
E is basically saying the author supports relational feminists and a few points of individual feminists are good.
Lines 46/47 give this information: If the individualist framework, with its claim for women’s autonomy, could be harmonized with the family-oriented concerns of relational feminists, a more fruitful model for contemporary feminist politics could emerge.
E is very cleverly twisting this statement into saying that the author likes relational feminism which is just not true.
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Director
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Posts: 541
Schools: Stern, McCombs, Marshall, Wharton
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I believe the answer is E.
The only place where I actually see the authors opinion is at the end:
If the individu-alist framework, with its claim for women’s autonomy,
could be harmonized with the family-oriented concerns
of relational feminists, a more fruitful model for con-
(50) temporary feminist politics could emerge.
During the rest of the passage the author is just stating facts and does not really accert and opinion.
This to me says that the author feels that there are good points from both the contrasting sides.
The answer that ressembles that the most is E.
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Re: RC: what is the right answer? [#permalink]
21 Sep 2011, 03:50
Can anyone explain this answer..i marked B here...OA is D...
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Re: Two modes of argumentation have been used on behalf of [#permalink]
08 Feb 2012, 09:51
Hi OptimusPrimea1, I am not too sure whether you have given the exam as of now or not.. but for future references.. here are my 2 cents for discarding option B.. although I also got deceived by this one.. Reason 1 - Predict the answer since it is a Inference based, which is too generic. The answer must lies somewhere in the Main Idea. The Author has not taken any stance regarding any of the frameworks, rather the author believes that a theory(idea) which can be a combination of both Relational and Individual, is possible. You may refer to the last line of the Passage. So, the views actually are not irreconcilable. Reason 2- keyword-> "Foundations of Society......".. I am not too sure that I have read such words in the passage.. I would rather refrain myself opting for this answer till I reject all other options. hope this makes sense.
_________________
+1 Kudos me, Help me unlocking GMAT Club Tests
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Re: Two modes of argumentation have been used on behalf of [#permalink]
14 Apr 2013, 19:56
Blue Book RC p.52
85. The author hints to the well-established nature of the concept of indiv. rights in the Anglo-Saxon legal and political tradition in order to...
Catch your eye: Anglo-Saxon...
Go to: Line 24-28- Because the concept of individual rights was already well established in the Anglo Saxon legal and political tradition, individualist feminism came to predominate in English-speaking countries.
Answer: Relating to the second part of the sentence.
86. The author believes...
Go through answer choices.
Not A: ... is a historical phenomenon, causes of which have not yet been investigated. Passage states none of this.
Had B, but not B: The indiv. and relational feminist views are irreconcilable. Are irreconcilable is not the same as increasingly irreconcilable.
Not C: An agreement will probably soon emerge, given ... the need for cooperation among women. Could emerge not the same as will probably soon emerge and further, passage did not state that cooperation among women is needed for the emergence, but the framework of indiv. and relational feminism.
It's D: Political opponents often assert the argument by relational feminism to endorse male privilege, which is the existing system. Read 3rd para. 1st sentence., the sentence structure is similar, too.
E: Relational feminism provides the best theory bla bla bla. Best? Not at all, the passage weighs both argumentation modes equally and not saying that one or the other is an absolute best.
87. Indiv. feminist trad. denies the validity of...
Go through answer choices: 3-2 split, read D and E will quickly tell you that none of those is discussed in the passage. Division of labor is found in the 1st para. 3rd sentence.
Not A: ... efficiency wrt performance of group tasks. Incorrect.
Not B: ... distribution of opp. and benefits. Incorrect.
It's C: ... biological differences between male and female. Exactly!
88. Relational and indiv. feminists agree that...
Go to: 2nd half of 2nd. para. It starts to discuss about and these phrases should catch your eye: "goals of the two approaches" and "while agreeing".
Not A: Indiv. human rights over other social claims. Not discussed in passage.
Had B, not B: Division of labor agreed by relational, but not by indiv. and passage did not talk about elimination.
Not C: Laws guaranteeing for all citizens... passage talks about women.
Not D: ... motherhood... agreed by relational, not indiv. feminism.
It's E: While agreeing that equal edu. and eco. opp should be available... Exactly!
89. Which was true of feminist thought in West before 1980...
Go to: 1st half of 2nd para. look for the sentence relating to feminist thought.
Not A: ... were not found in the thought or writing. Incorrect.
It's B: Relational feminism had been the dominant strain = relational feminism predominated.
Not C: Approaches were equally accepted. Not true, it is not equal, relational dominates region X, indiv. dominates region Y. Extent/size of X and Y are different.
Not D: welfare of women ... welfare of children. Not discussed in the passage.
Not E: Sexes should receive equal treatment, but not talked around the area of 1st half of 2nd para. It could be after 1920..., B is on the spot!
90. True of most feminist thinkers in England and US after 1920...
Go to 2nd para where it talked about the years: "before late 19th" and "1890-1920".
Not A: less concerned with politics than with intellectual issues. Not discussed in the passage.
Not B: Adopted by main stream political parties. Passage talks about political opponents.
Had C, not C: Women's groups to achieve goals, but action of "called repeatedly for international cooperation" was not stated in the passage.
Not D: Moderated initial criticism of economic system. Not discuessed in the passage.
It's E: Before late 19th, these views coexisted means that after 19th, there is no attempt to unite the different views (relational and indiv.).
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Re: Two modes of argumentation have been used on behalf of
[#permalink]
14 Apr 2013, 19:56
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