Multiple choice

Which of the following represents best the key point of argument of the passage?

Directions: Answer the question based on the following passage.

Metaphysical principles are less easily verified from experience than physical hypotheses, but also less easily refuted. Systems of philosophy, therefore, are not so dependent on our progressive knowledge of facts as the theories of natural science, and change less quickly; notwithstanding their mutual conflicts, and in spite of the talk about discarded standpoints, they possess in a measure the permanence of classical works of art, they retain for all time a certain relative validity. The thought of Plato, of Aristotle, and of the heroes of modern philosophy is ever proving anew its fructifying power. Nowhere do we find such instructive errors as in the sphere of philosophy; nowhere is the new so essentially a completion and development of the old, even though it deem itself the whole and assume a hostile attitude toward its predecessors; nowhere is the inquiry so much more important than the final result; nowhere the categories "true and false" so inadequate. The spirit of the time and the spirit of the people, the individuality of the thinker, disposition, will, fancy--all these exert a far stronger influence on the development of philosophy, both by way of promotion and by way of hindrance, than in any other department of thought. If a system gives classical expression to the thought of an epoch,’ a nation, or a great personality; if it seeks to attack the world-riddle from a new direction, or brings us nearer its solution by important original conceptions, by a subtler or a simpler comprehension of the problem, by a wider outlook or a deeper insight; it has accomplished more than it could have done by bringing forward a number of indisputably correct principles.

  1. Philosophical tenets are evolutionary, rather than being revolutionary.

  2. The ancient philosophy of Plato and Aristotle has nuggets of wisdom valid even in the present age.

  3. Philosophical principles are metaphysical and hence, cannot be easily verified.

  4. Philosophical thought is akin to natural sciences in certain aspects, though it essentially remains metaphysical in nature.
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A Correct answer
Explanation

Option (1): Philosophical principles are of gradual not of radical changes. They “possess in a measure the permanence of classical works of art, they retain for all time a certain relative validity.” Also “nowhere is the new so essentially a completion and development of the old”. Thus, (1) is the correct answer. Option (2): The passage is about philosophy not about Plato or Aristotle. The option is too specific to select as answer. Option (3): This option rephrases only the opening line of the passage. It is not the main theme of the passage. Nor does it cover all the aspects of the passage. Thus, it is ruled out. Option (4): This is not the key point of the argument. This is only a supporting fact to elucidate the main theme of the passage. Thus, the option is eliminated. Option (5): The latter part of the option renders it incorrect.

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