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When scientists discuss the point in the evolutionary process at which a sense of fairness arose in human beings, one of two theories generally prevails. The first theory holds that a sense of fairness – or, more generally, morality – is a late and mostly intellectual addition to the evolutionary process. In this view morality is defined as a set of rules agreed upon by a society, permitting human beings to “rise above” the raw violence and competition found in “nature.” In certain circles this idea is known as “veneer theory,” because it posits human morality as a thin crust on a violently churning interior.
The second theory, by contrast, does not set nature and morality in direct opposition, but rather holds a sense of fairness to be as much a part of human “nature” as violence and competition. Advocates of this theory most often appeal to the behavior of other primates to argue that humans possess an innate sense of fairness common to other species of a shared evolutionary past. Orangutans, for example, have been observed to throw temper tantrums when teased by being shown an apple they are not allowed to have. Experiments with monkeys offering them two kinds of rewards for performing simple tasks have shown that they will refuse the less-preferred reward if they see their companions receiving the preferred reward for performing the same task.!
The passage suggests which of the following about the condition of “nature,” according to veneer theory?
The second theory, by contrast, does not set nature and morality in direct opposition, but rather holds a sense of fairness to be as much a part of human “nature” as violence and competition. Advocates of this theory most often appeal to the behavior of other primates to argue that humans possess an innate sense of fairness common to other species of a shared evolutionary past. Orangutans, for example, have been observed to throw temper tantrums when teased by being shown an apple they are not allowed to have. Experiments with monkeys offering them two kinds of rewards for performing simple tasks have shown that they will refuse the less-preferred reward if they see their companions receiving the preferred reward for performing the same task.!
The passage suggests which of the following about the condition of “nature,” according to veneer theory?
- Societies agree to rules of morality in order to recondition themselves to resist the violence and competition of nature.
- Nature is inherently violent and competitive and may be contained, but can not be changed.
- The violence and competition found in nature must be transformed by morality in order for humans to live peacefully.
- Human beings constitute a thin crust living on the outside of a chaotic core of nature.
- Morality is as much a part of nature as violence and competition.
03 Aug 2026, 05:22
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Explanation
The word suggests indicates that this question must be answered by making an inference based on information in the passage. First, review these lines In these sentences, it is stated that raw violence and competition are found in“nature” and that human morality is a crust or veneer that does not change nature, but covers or controls it.
A. This option is tempting, but the first paragraph does not discuss a desire of societies to recondition themselves, and in fact implies that true reconditioning is impossible.
B. Correct. The first half of this sentence is a paraphrase of line, and the second half is an inference drawn directly from the fact that veneer theory understands morality as only a crust that does not essentially alter the interior of nature.
C. It can not be inferred from the discussion of veneer theory that morality must transform nature.
D. This option is a misreading of line, which states that human morality is a thin crust on nature.
E. This idea is a paraphrase of the argument presented in paragraph two, not of veneer theory.
The correct answer is B
The word suggests indicates that this question must be answered by making an inference based on information in the passage. First, review these lines In these sentences, it is stated that raw violence and competition are found in“nature” and that human morality is a crust or veneer that does not change nature, but covers or controls it.
A. This option is tempting, but the first paragraph does not discuss a desire of societies to recondition themselves, and in fact implies that true reconditioning is impossible.
B. Correct. The first half of this sentence is a paraphrase of line, and the second half is an inference drawn directly from the fact that veneer theory understands morality as only a crust that does not essentially alter the interior of nature.
C. It can not be inferred from the discussion of veneer theory that morality must transform nature.
D. This option is a misreading of line, which states that human morality is a thin crust on nature.
E. This idea is a paraphrase of the argument presented in paragraph two, not of veneer theory.
The correct answer is B
