Multiple choice

An example of a zero ended rationalism could be _____________________.

Directions: The passage below is followed by a question based on its content. Answer the question on the basis of what is stated or implied in the passage.

A zero-ended rationalism about computers is that "they only do what they are programmed to". The reasoning goes something like this: If one incorporates into a computer the capability to recognise the meaning and function of the symbols representing 'two', 'multiply' and 'equals to' then it would have no problem solving the equation : 2 x 2 =?

But how different is this really from what a child learns in grade school? It's exactly the same. There can definitely be no propensity in certain children to be better in maths than others since arithmetic even at a lowly human level is, after all, only an acquired trait and acquired traits are not inherited.
Similarly, if a computer could be made to intimately internalize the moves, strengths and positional advantages of pieces like the Queen or the Bishop, it should have no problem creaming Kasparov as it would also have the added advantage of number crunching to check out moves so many zillions of nano-seconds in advance.

However, what has been missing so far in the environment of a computer and why it required so many avatars of IBM's Deep Blue programme to outwit our number one grand-master, is the role of a family and the nurture it provides for a potential predisposition. This is because genetically, some children could have stronger musculature to become better cricketers or actors but only when given the necessary ambient training. The answer therefore lies not in suddenly blitzing a super computer's hardware memory and logic bank its equivalent of musculature with the rules, and strategy's of some table game but to bring it home as a baby.

Over the years, fostered by gentle but continuous inputs it would be able to assimilate the secret innuendoes of a game, for instance like bridge, and learn to play it with class instead of simply knowing all possible probabilities of a given hand to the n-th card-played.

  1. you do what you like

  2. you are what you are

  3. you are what you eat

  4. you like what you do
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Option (1) 'you do what you like' is not a zero ended resolution because many times we have to indulge in activities against our wishes, as we don't have any choice. Option (3) 'you are what you eat' is also incorrect because a person doesn't become fat by eating pumpkin. Option (4) “you like what you do” is also not a case of zero ended resolution as you have to take medicines during your illness even if you do not want to. Option (5) is no rationalism at all. Only statement (2) 'you are what you are' can be deemed one because it is a kind of recursive statement with no direct answer. Thus option (2) is the best answer choice.

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