Aristotle wrote that a tyrant would be well advised to put on the appearance of uncommon devotion to religion. Subjects are more tolerant of unjust treatment from a ruler whom they consider god-rearing and pious. Moreover as most subjects believe that even the gods are on the side of the ruler, the subjects are less apt to move against him.
Which one of the following is an assumption on which Aristotle’s argument depends?
(A) The subjects of tyrannical rulers typically believe that there is a power other than the mortal.
CORRECT(B) A tyrant cannot rule
unless he has divine power on his side. X
This doesn't need to be true. Fails negation test.
(C) The subjects of tyrannical rulers can
rarely be fooled by appearances. X
This goes in the opposite direction of the argument and is inconsistent with the the reasoning.
(D) Tyrants who are devoted to religion
will not treat their subjects unjustly X
Sidesteps the argument here, which is primarily about tyrant's putting on a facade to prevent his people from ruling against him. We need to support this conclusion: Moreover as most subjects believe that even the gods are on the side of the ruler, the subjects are less apt to move against him.
(E) For a tyrant, the appearance of uncommon devotion to religion is a more
effective means of ruling than unjust treatment. X
No need to assume anything about effectiveness.
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