Anthropological studies indicate that distinct culture differs in thei

IMO answer should be (E) but waiting for the OA.

My analysis is as follows -

From Stem we know -

Distinct Cultures differ in their moral codes. So author concludes, till there are distinct cultures there are no values shared across cultures.

Choice Analysis, We need to find the one that does not weaken the argument



This option weakens by saying that transalation of values of cultures is weak making the conclusion weak. Hence Incorrect



This option weakens as it promots that distinct cultures can share same values at some point. Hence Incorrect



This again weakens as argument concludes that distinct cultures mean no shared values but this option shows us a shared value. Hence Incorrect



This again weakens as argument concludes that distinct cultures mean no shared values but if the root of this finding is biased then it is hinting that distinct cultures may have some similarities but the anthropologists have just ignored or overlooked them .Hence Incorrect



This choice, according to me, is neither weakening nor strengthening the conclusion. Saying that distinct cultures are similar to distinct believes is not impacting anything related to distinct cultures having no shared values. Hence Correct as it is not weakening the conclusion

can someone explain how "B" is correct?

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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