Bunuel wrote:
Critic: Political utility determines the popularity of a metaphor. In authoritarian societies, the metaphor of society as a human body governed by a head is pervasive. Therefore, the society-as-body metaphor, with its connection between society’s proper functioning and governance by a head, promotes greater acceptance of authoritarian repression than do other metaphors, such as likening society to a family.
Which one of the following statements, if true, most weakens the critic’s argument?
(A) In authoritarian societies, the metaphor of society as a family is just as pervasive as the society-as-body metaphor.
(B) Every society tries to justify the legitimacy of its government through the use of metaphor.
(C) The metaphor of society as a human body is sometimes used in nonauthoritarian societies.
(D) Authoritarian leaders are always searching for new metaphors for society in their effort to maintain their power.
(E) The metaphor of society as a human body governed by head is rarely used in liberal democracies.
Paraphrasing, we get:
Premise 1: Political utility determines the popularity of a metaphor.
Premise 2: In authoritarian societies, the metaphor of society as a human body governed by a head is pervasive.
Conclusion: The society-as-body metaphor promotes greater acceptance of authoritarian repression than do other metaphors, such as likening society to a family.
(A) In authoritarian societies, the metaphor of society as a family is just as pervasive as the society-as-body metaphor.
Correct. If they're both just as pervasive then society-as-body does not promote greater acceptance of authoritarian repression compared with society-as-family, thus weakening the conclusion.(B) Every society tries to justify the legitimacy of its government through the use of metaphor.
Incorrect. We can't make unstated assumptions - There are no references to legitimacy anywhere; not mentioned. (C) The metaphor of society as a human body is sometimes used in nonauthoritarian societies.
Incorrect. So What? Does it promote greater acceptance compared with other metaphors? (D) Authoritarian leaders are always searching for new metaphors for society in their effort to maintain their power.
Incorrect. Out of Scope.(E) The metaphor of society as a human body governed by head is rarely used in liberal democracies.
Incorrect. No references to liberal democracies. Same as BConclusion must always be found and addressed accordingly, depending on what CR question type we're dealing with.
Great question! Keep up the good work!