A "scientistic" view of language was dominant among philosophers and

Question

New Project RC Butler 2019  -  Practice 2 RC Passages Everyday   
Passage # 383, Date: 11-Oct-2019
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Kudos  for the right solution and explanations

A "scientistic" view of language was dominant among philosophers and linguists who affected to develop a scientific analysis of human thought and behavior in the early part of this century. Under the force of this view, it was perhaps inevitable that the art of rhetoric should pass from the status of being regarded as of questionable worth (because although it might be both a source of pleasure and a means to urge people to right action, it might also be a means to distort truth and a source of misguided action) to the status of being wholly condemned. If people are regarded only as machines guided by logic, as they were by these "scientistic" thinkers, rhetoric is likely to be held in low regard; for the most obvious truth about rhetoric is that it speaks to the whole person. It presents its arguments first to the person as a rational being, because persuasive discourse, if honestly conceived, always has a basis in reasoning. Logical argument is the plot, as it were, of any speech or essay that is respectfully intended to persuade people. Yet it is a characterizing feature of rhetoric that it goes beyond this and appeals to the parts of our nature that are involved in feeling, desiring, acting, and suffering. It recalls relevant instances of the emotional reactions of people to circumstances-real or fictional-that are similar to our own circumstances. Such is the purpose of both historical accounts and fables in persuasive discourse: they indicate literally or symbolically how people may react emotionally, with hope or fear, to particular circumstances. A speech attempting to persuade people can achieve little unless it takes into account the aspect of their being related to such hopes and fears.

Rhetoric, then, is addressed to human beings living at particular times and in particular places. From the point of view of rhetoric, we are not merely logical thinking machines, creatures abstracted from time and space. The study of rhetoric should therefore be considered the most humanistic of the humanities, since rhetoric is not directed only to our rational selves. It takes into account what the "scientistic" view leaves out.If it is a weakness to harbor feelings, then rhetoric may be thought of as dealing in weakness. But those who reject the idea of rhetoric because they believe it deals in lies and who at the same time hope to move people to action, must either be liars themselves or be very naive; pure logic has never been a motivating force unless it has been subordinated to human purposes, feelings, and desires, and thereby ceased to be pure logic.

Rhetoric, then, is addressed to human beings living at particular times and in particular places. From the point of view of rhetoric, we are not merely logical  thinking machines , creatures abstracted from time and space. The study of rhetoric should therefore be considered the most humanistic of the humanities, since rhetoric is not directed only to our rational selves. It takes into account what the "scientistic" view leaves out.If it is a weakness to harbor feelings, then rhetoric may be thought of as dealing in weakness. But those who reject the idea of rhetoric because they believe it deals in lies and who at the same time hope to move people to action, must either be liars themselves or be very naive; pure logic has never been a motivating force unless it has been subordinated to human purposes, feelings, and desires, and thereby ceased to be pure logic.   1 
 B 
 1) According to the passage, to reject rhetoric and still hope to persuade people is

A. an aim of most speakers and writers
B. an indication either of dishonesty or of credulity
C. a way of displaying distrust of the audience's motives
D. a characteristic of most humanistic discourse
E. a way of avoiding excessively abstract reasoning

2 
 B 
 2) It can be inferred from the passage that in the late nineteenth century rhetoric was regarded as

A. the only necessary element of persuasive discourse
B. a dubious art in at least two ways
C. an outmoded and tedious amplification of logic
D. an open offense to the rational mind
E. the most important of the humanistic studies

3 
 E 
 3) The passage suggests that the disparagement of rhetoric by some people can be traced to their

A. reaction against science
B. lack of training in logic
C. desire to persuade people as completely as possible
D. misunderstanding of the use of the term "scientistic"
E. view of human motivation

4 
 C 
 4) The passage suggests that a speech that attempts to persuade people to act is likely to fail if it does NOT

A. distort the truth a little to make it more acceptable to the audience
B. appeal to the self-interest as well as the humanitarianism of the audience
C. address listeners' emotions as well as their intellects
D. concede the logic of other points of view
E. show how an immediately desirable action is consistent with timeless principles

5 
 A 
 5) The passage suggests that to consider people as " thinking machines " is to consider them as

A. beings separated from a historical context
B. replaceable parts of a larger social machine
C. more complex than other animals
D. liars rather than honest people
E. infallible in their reasoning

6 
 A 
 6) Which of the following persuasive devices is NOT used in the passage?

A. A sample of an actual speech delivered by an orator
B. The contrast of different points of view
C. The repetition of key ideas and expressions
D. An analogy that seeks to explain logical argument
E. Evaluative or judgmental words

7 
 B 
 7) Which of the following best states the author's main point about logical argument?

A. It is a sterile, abstract discipline, of little use in real life.
B. It is an essential element of persuasive discourse, but only one such element.
C. It is an important means of persuading people to act against their desires.
D. It is the lowest order of discourse because it is the least imaginative.
E. It is essential to persuasive discourse because it deals with universal truths.

lehieu30794 · Answer

Just need help on q2 & q7, can someone explain?

CrackverbalGMAT · Answer

2) It can be inferred from the passage that in the late nineteenth century rhetoric was regarded as

When the passage states "A "scientistic" view of language was dominant among philosophers and linguists who affected to develop a scientific analysis of human thought and behavior in the  early part of this century ", I am assuming "this century" to mean the twentieth century. Else there is no way to bring in a reference to rhetoric in the nineteenth century as required by the question. An actual passage on the GMAT would make this clear.

With this assumption, we know the existing belief about rhetoric in the early 20th century was:

a) it might be both a source of pleasure and a means to urge people to right action
b) it might also be a means to distort truth and a source of misguided action

Given no information to the contrary, we may reasonably assume that this view existed in the late 19th century as well.

A. the only necessary element of persuasive discourse  Not supported by (a) or (b). Eliminate.

B. a dubious art in at least two ways  Correct. Supported by (b).

C. an outmoded and tedious amplification of logic  Not supported by (a) or (b). Eliminate.

D. an open offense to the rational mind  Not supported by (a) or (b). Eliminate.

E. the most important of the humanistic studies  Not supported by (a) or (b). Eliminate.

7) Which of the following best states the author's main point about logical argument?

The author in this passage works hard to bring out the necessity of using rhetoric in any persuasive discourse to appeal to the emotions of people. We can also note that nowhere does the author reject the use of logical argument, he/she merely states that it is insufficient by itself to persuade anyone.

A. It is a sterile, abstract discipline, of little use in real life.  The author does not dismiss logical argument. Eliminate.

B. It is an essential element of persuasive discourse, but only one such element.  Correct. Consistent with our thinking above.

C. It is an important means of persuading people to act against their desires.  The passage does not say logical argument can make people  act against their desires . Eliminate.

D. It is the lowest order of discourse because it is the least imaginative.  The author does not dismiss logical argument. Eliminate.

E. It is essential to persuasive discourse because it deals with universal truths.  The passage does not speak about universal truths. Eliminate.

Hope this helps.

vinny12 · Answer

Hi Srinivasan,
Thanks for your solution to the query raised above,however I have few questions about both these questions. It'd be great if you can help.

1. In Q2 Just because the author says some thought process was prevalent during early in the century, can we "safely" assume that same thought process must have been prevalent during late in previous century. If Yes, would it be a universal assumption for GMAT or it's possible that there is some gray area for this question. Please help.

2. I could not understanding the wording of the 2nd choice in Q7 as to what exactly it wants to convey by "but only one such element".

Thanks in advance for your help.

Vinay

CrackverbalGMAT · Answer

Hi Vinay

You are right. I am taking a bit of a leap by extending the details mentioned in the passage with respect to early twentieth century (which itself is an assumption) to the late nineteenth century. This is not typical in the GMAT - we can expect timelines to be much more clearly expressed on the test.

Having said that, contrast is typically expressed using time stamps in two ways:

a) Before vs after a specific date/year etc.
b) Large gaps in time - for eg; two centuries ago vs today.

Given that late nineteenth and early twentieth century can be considered to be largely contiguous in terms of eras, it  can  be considered to be a single block of time and hence having similar characteristics. Given that there is no other indication in the passage, I wouldn't be completely wrong to make such an assumption.

Q7, (B) states: It is an essential element of persuasive discourse, but only one such element.

By "such", the option refers to that which is mentioned earlier in the sentence ie; "an essential element of persuasive discourse". The option states that "logical argument" is an important part of "persuasive discourse", but only a part - there are other elements which make up "persuasive discourse".

Hope this helps.

arora1 · Answer

6/7 correct in 11 minutes. Please can someone comment on the idea time for this passage

Also, Q3, if someone can explain, it would be great!

Sand1995 · Answer

Can someone please explain Q3 and Q5 ?

richirish · Answer

Q3. Read the last few lines "But those who reject the idea of rhetoric because they believe it deals in lies and who at the same time hope to move people to action, must either be liars themselves or be very naive; pure logic has never been a motivating force unless it has been subordinated to human purposes, feelings, and desires, and thereby ceased to be pure logic"

It can be inferred that the author is saying that people who reject the idea of rhetoric have not really understood what motivates people, they are probably naive or are liars. 
So what moves people is a concept which they have not understood hence option E is the correct one which points out to their view of "human motivation"

Q5. This is actually an easy one if you read these lines carefully, from the passage -" Rhetoric, then, is addressed to human beings living at particular times and in particular places. From the point of view of rhetoric, we are not merely logical thinking machines, creatures abstracted from time and space"

The answer is self evident, creatures who are separated from time and space or a historical context, just rephrasing of the idea, playing with words.

VerbalBot · Answer

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A "scientistic" view of language was dominant among philosophers and

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A "scientistic" view of language was dominant among philosophers and

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