Despite their many differences of temperament and of literary perspect

Hello, saby1410. I will touch on one question here and one question only, as I have to get ready for my next lesson. In question 3, answer choice (C) runs into trouble from the first word, suggest. Is the authoring quoting parts from "Song of Myself" to suggest something? Consider the relevant paragraph:

Now, the sentence in which we find these quotes begins with thus, a conclusion marker. So what is the premise that comes before? It is really the topic sentence of the paragraph, that perspective is almost always universalized. The quotes answer the question, How so? Emerson generalizes in one way—an American is simply a person, a man in the parlance of the time, and a scholar is simply someone who thinks—Whitman generalizes in his own way—every atom belongs to everyone equally. If we look at answer choices (C) and (D), we can see that (C) is off the mark:

For (C) to work, we need to get a picture of a Whitman who was maybe self-centered, someone who had his own philosophy in place before adapting some of the tenets of humanism to his own views. This is not the direction the passage takes at all. (D) is the safer bet, pointing to the Whitman quotes as examples of the common perspective.

I hope this helps. I have to run.

- Andrew

Hello expert,
I went through the OE, but I found it really sucks, just seems saying nonsense (it always says passage doesn’t imply, but what I wonder is WHY). Could any expert help to explain Q6/7? Thanks in advance.
For Q6, as passage says: therir faith in the imagination and as practitioners of imagination led them to conceive of the writer as a seer, so why C is wrong?
For Q7, As the passage says: the belief that individual virtue and happiness depend upon self-realization, which, in turn, depends upon the harmonious reconciliation of two universal psychological tendencies, then offers an example of Democracy. So why is E wrong?

Question 6 asks: (emphasis mine)
6. It can be inferred that intuition is important to the five writers primarily because it provides them with...

So we need to go find intuition in the passage text.

This is the only excerpt where intuition is mentioned. The author mentions 2 'use cases' for intuition, which I've colored here in pink and purple:
A third assumption common to the five writers is that intuition and imagination offer a surer road to the truth than does abstract logic or scientific method. It is illustrated by their emphasis upon introspection-their belief that the clue to external nature is to be found in the inner world of individual psychology-and by their interpretation of experience as, in essence, symbolic.

The correct answer to this question, therefore, is whichever choice mentions one or both of these things. (Should just be one, per normal conventions for GMAC's answer choices.)

Choice D is the purple part, so choice D is our winner.




That part is about imagination, not about intuition. The question is asking about intuition.

Imagination and intuition are mentioned side-by-side as two distinct things (see the beginning of the part I quoted, above), so please take care not to commingle or confuse references to them separately.

The example of "the democratic ethic" is presented to illustrate a situation containing both of these two potentially conflicting tendencies.

The correct answer to this question is therefore whichever answer choice names the two potentially conflicting tendencies—precisely what choice C does.



(E) give an example of the idea that, in order to be happy, the self must reconcile its desires with external reality

The wording of choice E presents this part as the conclusion and thus the ultimate purpose of the example.
The democratic ethic is presented in a context that has nothing to do with achieving happiness, so this choice is not justified.

Can someone explain Q8. Did not understand the explanation for this.

Here you go.



Apart from OE, you can also read the following explanations to question #8

https://gmatclub.com/forum/despite-thei ... l#p2167719

https://gmatclub.com/forum/despite-thei ... l#p2176471

Indeed a very difficult passage. My accuracy took a toll in this one

Hi GMATNinja

Can you help me with #6 ?
The intuition is important to the writers because they think that the surer road to the truth is via imagination and intuition. This is illustrated by introspection - "the clue to the external nature...". Now, here intuition provides the way for introspection, which in turn provides the clues for the interpretation of the symbolic universe. Is this what it meant ?
I am really confused with the answer choice for this question.

Question 6

Your interpretation of the passage sounds basically correct! To reiterate the connections you hinted at, the author suggests that:

• Intuition "offers a surer road to the truth" than "abstract logic or scientific method."
• Intuition allows someone to find "clues to external nature" in the "inner world of individual psychology."
• This leads to an interpretation of "experience as...symbolic."

In analyzing the answer choices to question 6, let's apply process of elimination. In other words, we're not looking for a perfect answer. Rather, we're hunting for a flaw in each answer choice.

Let's start with (A):

The author tells us that intuition offers a better road to truth than abstract logic or the scientific method. But intuition doesn't help with an understanding of abstract logic or scientific understanding themselves. Eliminate (A).

Intuition DOES help in the search for truth. However, the passage doesn't indicate that intuition supplies "discipline." Eliminate (B).

The passage doesn't link intuition with the quality of these authors' writings. Eliminate (C).

Intuition does help with the interpretation of "experience as...symbolic." And it achieves this by allowing someone to find "clues to external nature." So far, I'm not seeing a flaw with (D), so let's hold onto it.

The passage does talk about the tension between the tendency to "withdraw" and the tendency to "embrace the whole world." But we're never told that intuition solves this conflict. Eliminate (E).

Since (D) fits the meaning of the passage fairly well, and since it lacks a clear flaw, it's correct.

I hope that helps!

Meaning of the passage

Despite their many differences of temperament
⠀⠀⠀ and of literary perspective, Emerson, Thoreau,
⠀⠀⠀ Hawthorne, Melville, and Whitman share certain
⠀⠀⠀ beliefs.

(This means that despite differences, they shared many common beliefs. So, in the passage, we’ll see discussion about common beliefs)


Common to all these writers is their
(5)⠀⠀humanistic perspective.
(Ok so the first common belief is “humanistic perspective”)


Its basic premises are
⠀⠀⠀ that humans are the spiritual center of the universe
⠀⠀⠀ and that in them alone is the clue to nature, history,
⠀⠀⠀ and ultimately the cosmos itself.

(It refers to “humanistic perspective.” So “humanistic perspective” basic facts are
1. humans are the spiritual center of the universe
2. humans ALONE carry the to nature, history, and ultimately the cosmos itself.


Without denying
⠀⠀⠀ outright the existence either of a deity or of brute
(10)⠀⠀matter, this perspective nevertheless rejects
⠀⠀⠀ them as exclusive principles of interpretation and
⠀⠀⠀ prefers to explain humans and the world in terms
⠀⠀⠀ of humanity itself.

it suggests that this perspective doesn't rely solely on divine or material explanations but places a greater emphasis on understanding things in human terms.


This preference is expressed
⠀⠀⠀ most clearly in the Transcendentalist principle
(15)⠀⠀that the structure of the universe literally duplicates
⠀⠀⠀ the structure of the individual self; therefore, all
⠀⠀⠀ knowledge begins with self-knowledge.

(the passage is highlighting the Transcendentalist belief that understanding oneself and one's inner nature is the foundation for understanding the world and the universe as a whole. It suggests that by gaining insight into one's own consciousness and identity, one can gain deeper insights into the nature of reality and the cosmos.)

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀This common perspective is almost always
⠀⠀⠀ universalized. Its emphasis is not upon the
(20)⠀⠀individual as a particular European or American,
⠀⠀⠀ but upon the human as universal, freed from the
⠀⠀⠀ accidents of time, space, birth, and talent. Thus,
⠀⠀⠀ for Emerson, the" American Scholar" turns out to
⠀⠀⠀ be simply "Man Thinking"; while, for Whitman,
(25)⠀⠀the "Song of Myself" merges imperceptibly into a
⠀⠀⠀ song of all the "children of Adam", where "every
⠀⠀⠀ atom belonging to me as good belongs to you."


this perspective regards all humans as part of a shared, universal experience. The passage illustrates this by providing examples: for Emerson, the "American Scholar" is essentially "Man Thinking," suggesting that scholarship transcends national boundaries. Similarly, for Whitman, his poem "Song of Myself" seamlessly becomes a song that encompasses all the "children of Adam," implying that the essence of the self is connected to the entirety of humanity, and every individual's existence is interconnected with others. It emphasizes the idea of a common human experience and shared identity.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Also common to all five writers is the belief
⠀⠀⠀ that individual virtue (behavior showing high moral standards) and happiness depend upon
(30)⠀⠀self-realization, which, in turn, depends upon the
⠀⠀⠀ harmonious reconciliation (restoration of friendly relations) of two universal psycho-
⠀⠀⠀ logical tendencies: first, the self-asserting (assert means state a fact forcefully)
⠀⠀⠀ impulse of the individual to withdraw, to remain
⠀⠀⠀ unique and separate, and to be responsible only to
(35)⠀⠀himself or herself, and second, the self-tran
⠀⠀⠀ scending impulse of the individual to embrace the
⠀⠀⠀ whole world in the experience of a single moment
⠀⠀⠀ and to know and become one with that world.
⠀⠀⠀ These conflicting impulses can be seen in the
(40)⠀⠀democratic ethic. Democracy advocates individu-
⠀⠀⠀ alism, the preservation of the individual's freedom
⠀⠀⠀ and self-expression. But the democratic self is
⠀⠀⠀ torn between the duty to self, which is implied by
⠀⠀⠀ the concept of liberty, and the duty to society,
(45)⠀⠀which is implied by the concepts of equality and
⠀⠀⠀ fraternity.


(the passage explores the tension between individualism and collective responsibility within the context of the writers' belief in self-realization and the conflicting psychological tendencies of self-assertion and self-transcendence. It highlights the complex interplay between individual and societal values in a democratic framework.)

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀A third assumption common to the five writers
⠀⠀⠀ is that intuition and imagination offer a surer road
⠀⠀⠀ to the truth than does abstract (theoretical or conceptual) logic or scientific
(50)⠀⠀method. It is illustrated by their emphasis upon
⠀⠀⠀ introspection-their belief that the clue to external
⠀⠀⠀ nature is to be found in the inner world of individual
⠀⠀⠀ psychology-and by their interpretation of experi-
⠀⠀⠀ ence as, in essence, symbolic. Both these stresses
(55)⠀⠀presume an organic relationship between the self
⠀⠀⠀ and the cosmos of which only intuition and imagi-
⠀⠀⠀ nation can properly take account. These writers'
⠀⠀⠀ faith in the imagination and in themselves as
⠀⠀⠀ practitioners of imagination led them to conceive
(60)⠀⠀of the writer as a seer (wise men) and enabled them to
⠀⠀⠀ achieve supreme confidence in their own moral
⠀⠀⠀ and metaphysical (philosophical) insights.

The passage explains that these five writers (Emerson, Thoreau, Hawthorne, Melville, and Whitman) share a common assumption or belief: they think that intuition and imagination provide a more reliable or certain path to discovering truth than abstract logic or scientific methods. In their view, these qualities are emphasized through:

Introspection: They believe that by looking inward into an individual's own thoughts and feelings (introspection), one can find clues or insights about the external world.

Interpreting Experience as Symbolic: They view human experiences as essentially symbolic, implying that there are deeper meanings or connections in ordinary events.

These writers also believe in a fundamental connection between the self and the universe, and they argue that only intuition and imagination can adequately account for this connection. This faith in the power of imagination led them to conceive of the writer as a seer or wise individual and gave them great confidence in their own moral and philosophical insights.

Answer explanations -
1. The author's discussion of Emerson, Thoreau, Hawthorne, Melville, and Whitman is primarily concerned with explaining

(A) some of their beliefs about the difficulties involved in self-realization - No
(B) some of their beliefs concerning the world and the place that humanity occupies in the universal order - The passage primarily discusses the shared beliefs of Emerson, Thoreau, Hawthorne, Melville, and Whitman. It highlights their common perspective, which includes beliefs about humanity being the spiritual center of the universe, the rejection of exclusive principles of interpretation, the importance of self-knowledge, the universalization of their perspective, and the belief in the organic relationship between the self and the cosmos. These beliefs collectively revolve around the idea of humanity's place in the world and the broader universe. They discuss how these writers perceive humanity's role and relationship with the world, the cosmos, and larger philosophical concepts.
(C) some of their beliefs concerning the relationship between humanism and democracy - No
(D) the way some of their beliefs are shaped by differences in temperament and literary outlook - No.
(E) the effects of some of their beliefs on their writings - the passage mainly discusses their shared beliefs and perspectives without directly addressing the effects of these beliefs on their writings.


Question 2

2. According to the passage, the humanistic perspective of the five writers presupposes which of the following?
1. The structure of the universe can be discovered through self-knowledge. - Ok
II. The world can be explained in terms of humanity. - OK
III. The spiritual and the material worlds are incompatible. - NO

(A) I only
(B) II only
(C) I and II only - OK
(D) II and III only
(E) I, II, and III


Question 3

3. The author quotes Whitman primarily in order to

(A) show that the poet does not agree with Emerson - No
(B) indicate the way the poet uses the humanist ideal to praise himself - No
(C) suggest that the poet adapts the basic premises of humanism (humanity) to his own individual outlook on the world - While Whitman's poetry reflects his individual outlook, the quoted lines are more about universal interconnectedness rather than his adaptation of humanism.
(D) illustrate a way the poet expresses the relationship of the individual to the humanistic (human-centered) universe - Whitman's quoted lines emphasize the idea that every individual, symbolized by "every atom," is interconnected and belongs to the universal human experience. This illustrates how the poet expresses the relationship of the individual to the broader humanistic universe.
(E) demonstrate that the poet is concerned with the well-being of all humans -
While Whitman's poetry does express concern for humanity, the quoted lines specifically focus on the concept of universal interconnectedness rather than the well-being of all humans.

Question 5

5. Which of the following statements would be com- patible with the beliefs of the five writers as described in the passage?
I. Democracy works as a form of government because every individual is unique. - Not supported in the passage. This is a classic distortion. Use democracy from here and individual from there and create a piece of junk.
II. Nature alone exists, and each person is nothing more than a shadow of that substance which is the world. - No
III. The human mind is capable of discovering the meaning of life and understanding the order in the universe. - ok

(A) I only
(B) III only - Ok
(C) I and II only
(D) I and III only
(E) I, II, and III

Question 6

6. It can be inferred that intuition is important to the five writers primarily because it provides them with

(A) information useful for understanding abstract logic and the scientific method - No
(B) the discipline needed in the search for truth - he passage doesn't explicitly discuss intuition in terms of providing discipline for the search for truth. The primary emphasis on intuition in the passage is related to understanding the world, self-knowledge, and the interpretation of symbolic experience. It's not framed in the context of providing discipline.
(C) inspiration for their best writing - no
(D) clues to the interpretation of symbolic experience - The passage suggests that these writers believe in the significance of intuition and imagination as ways to understand the world, with an emphasis on the symbolic nature of human experiences. Intuition, in this context, helps them interpret the symbolic aspects of their experiences and the world around them.
(E) the means of resolving conflicts between the self and the world - No

Question 7

7. The author discusses "the democratic ethic" in the highlighted text in order to

(A) explain the relationship between external experience and inner imagination - No
(B) support the notion that the self contains two conflicting and irreconcilable factions - It's not mentioned that they are incompatible.
(C) illustrate the relationship between the self's desire to be individual and its desire to merge with all other selves - The passage discusses conflicting impulses within the self, including the desire for individualism and the desire for unity with others, and how these impulses can be seen in the democratic ethic. The democratic ethic emphasizes both individualism and the collective good, which aligns with the idea of the self's desire to be both individual and to merge with others. Therefore, option (C) is also a correct interpretation, and I appreciate your clarification.
(D) elaborate on the concept that the self constantly desires to realize its potential - No
(E) give an example of the idea that, in order to be happy, the self must reconcile (restore friendly relations) its desires with external reality - No.


9. The passage is most relevant to which of the following areas of study?

(A) Aesthetics and logic
(B) History and literature - The passage primarily discusses the beliefs and perspectives of five writers—Emerson, Thoreau, Hawthorne, Melville, and Whitman—and their shared humanistic perspective. It delves into their literary outlooks and their emphasis on individualism, self-realization, and the relationship between the self and the universe. Therefore, it is most closely related to the fields of history and literature, as it explores the ideas and philosophies of these writers in a historical and literary context.
(C) Theology and sociology
(D) Anthropology and political science
(E) Linguistics and art

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