Donna Haraways Primate Visions is the most ambitious book on the

Question

Donna Haraway’s Primate Visions is the most
ambitious book on the history of science yet written
from a feminist perspective, embracing not only the
scientific construction of gender but also the interplay
  (5)   of race, class, and colonial and postcolonial culture
with the “Western” construction of the very concept of
nature itself. Primatology is a particularly apt vehicle
for such themes because primates seem so much like
ourselves that they provide ready material for
  (10)   scientists’ conscious and unconscious projections of
their beliefs about nature and culture.

Haraway’s most radical departure is to challenge
the traditional disjunction between the active knower
(scientist/historian) and the passive object
  (15)   (nature/history). In Haraway’s view, the desire to
understand nature, whether in order to tame it or to
preserve it as a place of wild innocence, is based on a
troublingly masculinist and colonialist view of nature
as an entity distinct from us and subject to our control.
  (20)   She argues that it is a view that is no longer politically,
ecologically, or even scientifically viable. She proposes
an approach that not only recognizes diverse human
actors (scientists, government officials, laborers,
science fiction writers) as contributing to our
  (25)   knowledge of nature, but that also recognizes the
creatures usually subsumed under nature (such as
primates) as active participants in creating that
knowledge as well. Finally, she insists that the
perspectives afforded by these different agents cannot
  (30)   be reduced to a single, coherent reality—there are
necessarily only multiple, interlinked, partial realities.

This iconoclastic view is reflected in Haraway’s
unorthodox writing style. Haraway does not weave the
many different elements of her work into one unified,
  (35)   overarching Story of Primatology; they remain distinct
voices that will not succumb to a master narrative. This
fragmented approach to historiography is familiar
enough in historiographical theorizing but has rarely
been put into practice by historians of science. It
  (40)   presents a complex alternative to traditional history,
whether strictly narrative or narrative with emphasis
on a causal argument.

Haraway is equally innovative in the way she
incorporates broad cultural issues into her analysis.
  (45)   Despite decades of rhetoric from historians of science
about the need to unite issues deemed “internal” to
science (scientific theory and practice) and those
considered “external” to it (social issues, structures,
and beliefs), that dichotomy has proven difficult to set
  (50)   aside. Haraway simply ignores it. The many readers in
whom this separation is deeply ingrained may find her
discussions of such popular sources as science fiction,
movies, and television distracting, and her statements
concerning such issues as nuclear war bewildering and
  (55)   digressive. To accept her approach one must shed a
great many assumptions about what properly belongs
to the study of science.  
 1 
 1. The passage is primarily concerned with discussing which one of the following?

(A) the roles played by gender and class in Western science in general, and in the field of primatology in particular
(B) two different methods of writing the history of science
(C) the content and style of a proposal to reform the scientific approach to nature
(D) the theoretical bases and the cultural assumptions underlying a recent book on the history of women in science
(E) the effect of theoretical positions on writing styles in books on the history of science

2 
 2. Which one of the following best describes the attitude of the author of the passage toward Primate Visions?

(A) The book is highly original and exciting, but will be difficult for many readers to accept.
(B) The book is admirable primarily because of the extensive research it reflects.
(C) Although far from ground breaking, the book is elegantly and coherently written.
(D) While commendably imaginative, the book is, in the end, less than convincing.
(E) The book’s thesis is promising and provocative but half-heartedly argued.

3 
 3. The passage suggests which one of the following about the traditional scientific approach to nature?

(A) Scientists have traditionally preferred to tame nature rather than to preserve it.
(B) Scientists have traditionally sought to counter the masculinist and colonialist aspects of Western culture.
(C) Scientists have traditionally assumed that primates were more active participants in the creation of knowledge than were other forms of natural life.
(D) Scientists have traditionally endeavored to conceal the role of government officials and laborers in the construction of scientific knowledge.
(E) Scientists have traditionally regarded nature as something separate from themselves.

4 
 4. The passage suggests that Haraway would most probably agree with which one of the following statements about scientists observing animal behavior in the field?

(A) Those scientists who have been properly trained in field techniques will all record similar observations about the animals they are studying.
(B) Primatologists are more likely to record accurate and sensitive observations about the animals they are studying than are other animal behaviorists.
(C) Scientists studying primate behavior will probably record more accurate and sensitive observations than will scientists studying animals that are less like ourselves.
(D) Scientists who study primates will probably be more likely than will scientists studying other animals to interpret an animal’s behavior in terms of the scientists’ own beliefs.
(E) Scientists who take a passive role in interactions with the animals they study will probably record observations similar to those recorded by scientists taking a more active role.

5 
 5. The “iconoclastic view” mentioned in line 32 refers to which one of the following?

(A) the assertion that there is no way to construct a unified and comprehensive reality out of the different fragments that contribute to the construction of scientific knowledge
(B) the advocacy of the incorporation of many different sources, both literary and scholarly, into the construction of a unified and overarching Story of Primatology
(C) the argument that the traditional scientific disjunction between active knower and passive object has had troubling political and ecological repercussions
(D) the thesis that the projection of scientists’ beliefs about nature and culture onto the study of primates has burdened primatology with masculinist and colonialist preconceptions
(E) the contention that scientists have not succeeded in breaking out of the confines of either traditional narrative history or history organized around a causal argument

6 
 6. Which one of the following best exemplifies the type of “traditional history” mentioned in line 40 of the passage?

(A) a chronological recounting of the life and work of Marie Curie, with special attention paid to the circumstances that led to her discovery of radium
(B) a television series that dramatizes one scientist’s prediction about human life in the twenty-second century
(C) the transcript of a series of conversations among several scientists of radically opposing philosophies, in which no resolution or conclusion is reached
(D) a newspaper editorial written by a scientist trying to arouse public support for a certain project by detailing the practical benefits to be gained from it
(E) detailed mathematical notes recording the precise data gathered from a laboratory experiment

7 
 7. According to the author of the passage, which one of the following statements is true of the historiographical method employed by Haraway in Primate Visions?

(A) It is a particularly effective approach in discussions of social issues.
(B) It is an approach commonly applied in historiography in many disciplines.
(C) It is generally less effective than traditional approaches.
(D) It has rarely been used by historians emphasizing causal arguments.
(E) It has rarely been practiced by historians of science.

8 
 8. The author uses the term “rhetoric” in line 45 most probably in order to do which one of the following?

(A) underscore the importance of clear and effective writing in historiographical works
(B) highlight the need for historians of science to study modes of language
(C) emphasize the fact that historians of science have been unable to put innovative ideas into practice
(D) criticize the excessive concern for form over content in the writings of historians of science
(E) characterize the writing style and analytical approach employed by Haraway

Ranasaymon · Answer

1. The passage is primarily concerned with discussing which one of the following?

P1: Introduce DH's book, Primate Visions, which is on history of science and written from feminist perspective
P2: DH challenges the old view-nature is distinct- and views the control of nature as masculinist attitude
 DH proposes new approach through her book
P3: Details about her writing style
 Her approach is not old but rare
P4: Details about her innovative analysis
 Her approach is not understandable by all
 
Summary: The passage introduces DH's book and her proposal and then gives details.

(A)  the roles played  by gender and class in Western science in general, and in the field of primatology in particular 
(B)  two different methods  of writing the history of science
 (C) the content and style of a proposal to reform the scientific approach to nature 
(D) the theoretical bases and the cultural assumptions underlying a recent book  on the history of women  in science
(E)  the effect of theoretical positions  on writing styles in books on the history of science

Ranasaymon · Answer

2. Which one of the following best describes the attitude of the author of the passage toward Primate Visions?

The many readers in whom this separation is deeply ingrained may find her discussions of such popular sources as science fiction,
movies, and television distracting.To accept her approach one must shed a great many assumptions

(A) The book is highly original and exciting, but will be difficult for many readers to accept. 
(B) The book is admirable primarily because of the  extensive research  it reflects.

-> Nowhere in the passage, the author talks about the extensive research of the DH's book.

(C) Although  far from ground breaking , the book is elegantly and coherently written.

-> Opposite: At the beginning of the passage, the author mentions that the books is the most significant in the particular field.

(D) While commendably imaginative, the book is, in the end,  less than convincing .

-> Opposite: The book is convincing.

(E) The book’s thesis is promising and provocative but  half-heartedly argued .

-> Opposite: The author is positive about the book and the proposal

Ranasaymon · Answer

3. The passage suggests which one of the following about the traditional scientific approach to nature?

In Haraway’s view, the desire to understand nature, whether in order to tame it or to preserve it as a place of wild innocence, is  based on a
troublingly masculinist and colonialist view of nature as an entity distinct from us  and subject to our control.

(A) Scientists have traditionally preferred to tame nature rather than to preserve it.
(B) Scientists have traditionally sought to counter the masculinist and colonialist aspects of Western culture.
(C) Scientists have traditionally assumed that primates were more active participants in the creation of knowledge than were other forms of natural life.
(D) Scientists have traditionally endeavored to conceal the role of government officials and laborers in the construction of scientific knowledge.
 (E) Scientists have traditionally regarded nature as something separate from themselves.

5. The “iconoclastic view” mentioned in line 32 refers to which one of the following?

Finally,  she insists that the perspectives afforded by these different agents cannot (30) be reduced to a single, coherent realit y—there are
necessarily only multiple, interlinked, partial realities.

(A) the assertion that there is no way to construct a unified and comprehensive reality out of the different fragments that contribute to the construction of scientific knowledge 
(B) the advocacy of the incorporation of many different sources, both literary and scholarly, into the construction of a unified and overarching Story of Primatology
(C) the argument that the traditional scientific disjunction between active knower and passive object has had troubling political and ecological repercussions
(D) the thesis that the projection of scientists’ beliefs about nature and culture onto the study of primates has burdened primatology with masculinist and colonialist preconceptions
(E) the contention that scientists have not succeeded in breaking out of the confines of either traditional narrative history or history organized around a causal argument

7. According to the author of the passage, which one of the following statements is true of the historiographical method employed by Haraway in Primate Visions?

This fragmented approach to historiography is  familiar enough in historiographical theorizing but has rarely been put into practice  by historians of science

(A) It is a particularly effective approach in discussions of social issues.
(B) It is an approach commonly applied in historiography in many disciplines.
(C) It is generally less effective than traditional approaches.
(D) It has rarely been used by historians emphasizing causal arguments.
 (E) It has rarely been practiced by historians of science.

8. The author uses the term “rhetoric” in line 45 most probably in order to do which one of the following?

Haraway is equally innovative  in the way she incorporates broad cultural issues into her analysis. (45) Despite decades of rhetoric from historians of science...

(A) underscore the importance of clear and effective writing in historiographical works
(B) highlight the need for historians of science to study modes of language
 (C) emphasize the fact that historians of science have been unable to put innovative ideas into practice 
(D) criticize the excessive concern for form over content in the writings of historians of science
(E) characterize the writing style and analytical approach employed by Haraway

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Explanation

4. The passage suggests that Haraway would most probably agree with which one of the following statements about scientists observing animal behavior in the field?

Explanation

“The passage suggests”  again—it’s another Inference question. A search reveals no explicit reference to field observations of animal behavior, but it’s a concept that seems to relate to  Paragraph 1  and/or  2 , where the relationship of science to nature is topic A, so those are the Paragraphs’s that should be reviewed before you attack the choices.

(A)  Proper training is not discussed anywhere in the text, nor is the relationship between training and one’s records.

(B), (C)  If anything,  lines 7–11  suggest just the opposite of what these choices are implying. The end of  Paragraph 2  suggests that primates’ similarity to humans would distort a scientist’s observations. This idea will actually be at the heart of the right answer below.

(D)  Primates, we are told in  lines 7–11 , are so human-like that there is a temptation for scientists to  “project,”  consciously or otherwise, their own beliefs onto the primates. This is essentially what correct  choice (D)  is getting at.  (D) ’s assertion about primatologists essentially explains why the author calls primate study  “a particularly apt vehicle for”  propounding the traditionalist, self-conscious view of nature.

(E)  distorts the passive/active dichotomy as explored in  Paragraph 2 . Haraway wants non-humans to be considered active participants, not passive objects of study. That’s far from  (E) ’s use of those terms.

Answer: D

6. Which one of the following best exemplifies the type of “traditional history” mentioned in line 40 of the passage?

Explanation

This particular Logic question hearkens back to the Parallel Reasoning question type in Logical Reasoning. We are asked for an example of  “traditional history”  and are sent to  line 40 , but the context extends to  lines 39–42 . That sentence asserts that  “It” —Haraway’s fragmented approach—is to be distinguished from two traditional forms: strict narrative, and the narrative that emphasizes causality.

As it happens, correct choice  (A)  gives us both: the  “chronological recounting”  is strict narrative, and  “the circumstances...  to radium”  implies a causal argument. Certainly such a life of Marie Curie would be in sharp contrast to the kind of prose;/ described in  lines 32–39.

(B)  Such a speculative fiction could be told either as straight narrative or in a complex, fragmented way.

(C)  is about as fragmented as a work could be, so  (C)  is 180° away from what the question wants.

(D)  smacks of the idea of a causal argument, but the editorial (1) doesn’t sound like a narrative and (2) could easily be written in a non-traditional, Haraway-like style.

(E)  involves even less of a narrative thrust than  (D)  does, and hardly sounds free-wheeling and iconoclastic.

Answer: A

Explanation Credit: Kaplan LSAT

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Explanation

1. The passage is primarily concerned with discussing which one of the following?

Explanation

This  “primary concern”  Global is really asking for the topic and scope, isn’t it? We’ve pre-phrased it as   book’s take on the relationship of science and nature; let’s look for that among the choices.

(A)  misses the topic (Haraway’s book) and distorts the scope; gender and class are factors raised in  paragraph 1  but far from the content of the rest.

(B)   “Two different methods” ? But the passage is all about what one writer, Haraway, did.  “Writing” ? That’s  paragraph 3  only.  “The history of science” ? Too broad and leaves out the science/nature disjunction. Otherwise  (B)  is fine.

(C)  fits our pre-phrase like a glove, except that we didn’t anticipate the  “proposal”  idea. But if  (C)  is right, then there must be a proposal at the heart of this thing; let’s check it.  Line 21: “She proposes an approach...”  That’s in the middle of  paragraph 2  which, we should recall, explains the thrust of the Haraway thesis. Yes, Haraway does propose, does want, to change the way science and nature are viewed.  (C)  is an eminently satisfactory précis of the text.

Having found  (C) , which fits so well, we go into  (D)  and  (E)  knowing that they must be poor. But we will check them for the record anyway, just to be sure.

(D) ’s first seven words may sound vaguely like what’s being discussed in the passage, but that’s moot, because to reduce this passage to a speculation on  “the history of women in science”  (emphasis ours) is a huge distortion.

(E)  narrows the focus to  “writing styles,”  which (at best) covers  paragraph 3  only.

Answer: C

8. The author uses the term “rhetoric” in line 45 most probably in order to do which one of the following?

Explanation

The answer choices for this  “purpose of a detail”  question largely eschew abstract language, which makes the question a bit easier. The context of the term  “rhetoric”  is  Paragraph 4 , whose concern is the way Haraway deals with broad cultural issues. The sentence in question asserts that historians have been unable to loose themselves of the notion that science has separate internal and external issues (the latter being the cultural ones) despite  “decades of rhetoric”  devoted to the need to do so. The only choice that speaks to this point at all is  (C) , whose phrase  “innovative ideas”  refers to the apparently desirable unification of many different kinds of concerns under the umbrella of Science.

(A), (D), (E)  Effectiveness of writing  (A)  was  Paragraph 3’s  concerns. We’re a long way from that subtopic here.  (D) , too, picks up on  Paragraph 3’s  issue of writing styles, though it makes up the form/content thing out of whole cloth.  (E)  alludes to Haraway’s writing  (Paragraph 3)  and her analysis  (Paragraph 2) , but never gets close to the concerns of Q. 8.

(B)  Even if  “modes of language”  were relevant to the passage, they wouldn’t be relevant to this portion of the passage, whose subtopic (again) is the relationship of non-scientific cultural issues to the study of scientific history.

Answer: C

Explanation Credit: Kaplan LSAT

CKHE · Answer

My query on Q8:
Option C makes a blanket statement that historians of science have been unable to put innovative ideas to practice while referring to only one such instance. Hence it seemed incorrect to me.
Whereas Option E points out what the author has been trying to highlight through out the passage - Haraway's writing style and analytical approach.

Can you please clarify this option?

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Read again the first half of the last paragraph:

Haraway is equally innovative in the way she incorporates broad cultural issues into her analysis. Despite decades of rhetoric from historians of science about the need to unite issues deemed  “internal”  to science (scientific theory and practice) and those considered  “external”  to it (social issues, structures, and beliefs), that dichotomy has proven difficult to set aside.

It sounds like the scientists talked a lot (“rhetoric”) but haven’t done much. They haven’t yet managed to fully consider external issues. The scientists weren’t referring to Haraway when they used  “rhetoric”.  They were talking amongst themselves about the need for action. Hence  (E)  is wrong.

Raman109 · Answer

4. The passage suggests that Haraway would most probably agree with which one of the following statements about scientists observing animal behavior in the field?

(A) Those scientists who have been properly trained in field techniques will all record similar observations about the animals they are studying. - No. They bring their beliefs.

(B) Primatologists are more likely to record accurate and sensitive observations about the animals they are studying than are other animal behaviorists. - This comparison between "Primatologists" and "other animal behaviorists" is out of scope.

(C) Scientists studying primate behavior will probably record more accurate and sensitive observations than will scientists studying animals that are less like ourselves. - "more accurate and sensitive observations." No, they bring their beliefs into the picture.

(D) Scientists who study primates will probably be more likely than will scientists studying other animals to interpret an animal’s behavior in terms of the scientists’ own beliefs. - Yes.

(E) Scientists who take a passive role in interactions with the animals they study will probably record observations similar to those recorded by scientists taking a more active role. - No.

Raman109 · Answer

6. Which one of the following best exemplifies the type of “traditional history” mentioned in line 40 of the passage?

(A) a chronological recounting of the life and work of Marie Curie, with special attention paid to the circumstances that led to her discovery of radium - This is an example of both the narrative and narrative with emphasis on causal argument. It narrates her life and the contributing factors/circumstances/causes that led to the discovery of radium. 
 
(B) a television series that dramatizes one scientist’s prediction about human life in the twenty-second century - No narrative or narrative emphasizing causal argument.

(C) the transcript of a series of conversations among several scientists of radically opposing philosophies, in which no resolution or conclusion is reached - - No narrative or narrative emphasizing causal argument.

(D) a newspaper editorial written by a scientist trying to arouse public support for a certain project by detailing the practical benefits to be gained from it - This is persuasive as against exploratory. This is meant to persuade the public support for something as against sharing a historical narrative or narrative emphasizing causal argument. While writing the editorial, the scientist may use some references to history, but they are purely persuasive.

(E) detailed mathematical notes recording the precise data gathered from a laboratory experiment - No narrative or narrative emphasizing causal argument.

Raman109 · Answer

8. The author uses the term “rhetoric” in line 45 most probably in order to do which one of the following?

(A) underscore the importance of clear and effective writing in historiographical works - "the importance of clear and effective writing" is Out of scope.

(B) highlight the need for historians of science to study modes of language - "modes of language" are out of scope.

(C) emphasize the fact that historians of science have been unable to put innovative ideas into practice - ok.

(D) criticize the excessive concern for form over content in the writings of historians of science - "for form over content " " x over y" is not even discussed in the passage. Out of scope.

(E) characterize the writing style and analytical approach employed by Haraway - The idea is not to distinguish her writing style and analytical approach. The idea is to share that while there has been a lot of rhetoric (talk), there is not much that that talk could help.

Donna Haraways Primate Visions is the most ambitious book on the

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GMAT Reading Comprehension (RC) Questions

Donna Haraways Primate Visions is the most ambitious book on the

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