Anthropological studies indicate that distinct culture differs in thei

can someone explain how "B" is correct?

Hi Geet91,

We have to determine a statement that does not weaken the claim that 'as long as there are distinct cultures there are no values shared across cultures'.

Let's take a look at (B).
(B) As a result of advancing technology and global communication we will someday all share the same culture and the same values.

According to this statement, we will someday share same cultures and same values. This talks about a future possibility. But does it shed light on the past or present? NO! This statement does not even claim that because we will have same culture, therefore, we will have same values. This statement has absolutely no effect on the conclusion and is the correct choice.

Hopw that helps!

Anthropological studies indicate that distinct culture differs in their moral codes. Thus, as long as there are distinct cultures there are no values shared across cultures.

Each of the following, if true, would weaken the argument EXCEPT:


(A) Anthropologists rely on inadequate translation techniques to investigate the values of cultures that use languages different from the anthropologists’ languages.
- Weakens. This is saying that it may be a case of lost in translation. So the apparent differences is due to poor translation.

(B) As a result of advancing technology and global communication we will someday all share the same culture and the same values.
- Hold on to this. We are concerned with the past, but B is speaking about the future. I'd say don't rule this out immediately.

(C) Although specific moral values differ across cultures, more general moral principles, such as “Friendship is good,” are common to all cultures.
- Weakens.

(D) The anthropologists who have studied various cultures have been biased in favor of finding differences rather than similarities between distinct cultures.
- Weakens. This means they are looking at only differences while casting a blind eye to the similarities just to make their argument.

(E) What appear to be differences in values between distinct cultures are nothing more than differences in beliefs about how to live in accordance with shared values.
- Weakens. This may seem complicated but what E is trying to say is that two cultures might share values such as truth, justice, fairness, liberty etc. but at the same time, they may differ in the ways to realize those values. Just an example, both the US and the UK believe in the rule of law and courts but they may differ in their approaches. Some crimes might attract a severe punishment in the US but in the UK, you just pay a penalty for them. In US courts, juries are considered the best way to get at the truth while in UK courts, the adversarial system is the best at arriving to the truth.

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