GRE General TestVerbal ReasoningMedium
A historian, examining ancient texts, noted that while some early philosophers advocated for a purely ______ approach to ethics, others emphasized the importance of emotional responses and social conditioning.
- Aempathetic
- Brational
- Caltruistic
- Dutilitarian
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. rational
The sentence presents a contrast: 'some early philosophers advocated for a purely ______ approach' versus 'others emphasized the importance of emotional responses and social conditioning.' To contrast with 'emotional responses,' the blank should describe an approach based on reason or logic, making 'rational' the best fit.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Empathetic means showing an ability to understand and share the feelings of another. While related to emotions, it doesn't directly contrast with the 'emotional responses' mentioned for the other group; rather, it's a type of emotional response.
- C. Altruistic means showing a disinterested and selfless concern for the well-being of others; unselfish. This is a moral stance, but not the direct opposite of 'emotional responses and social conditioning' in the context of an ethical approach.
- D. Utilitarian means designed to be useful or practical rather than attractive. This is not the primary contrast presented in the sentence.
Antonym in Context
Identifying a word that is the opposite in meaning to another word or concept presented in the text, often signaled by contrast indicators.
- Requires understanding the nuances of word meanings.
- Contextual clues are vital for determining the specific antonym needed.
- Often used in Text Completion questions to create a logical opposition.
Memory trick: Opposing concepts are like two sides of a coin, showing different values.