Read the passage and answer questions from questions 46 to 50: There is a new…
2022
Read the passage and answer questions from questions 46 to 50:
There is a new movement called libertarian paternalism which is not attractive. Both words are characterised by stereotypes from popular culture and politics that make them unappealing to many. Even worse, the concepts seem to be contradictory. If the terms are properly understood, both concepts reflect common sense. They are far more attractive together than alone. According to the libertarian strategy, people should be free to do what they like. It is also to opt out of undesirable arrangements, if they want to do so. The libertarian paternalists urge that people should be free to choose. Policies are designed to maintain or increase freedom of choice. The paternalistic aspect lies in the claim that it is legitimate for choice architects to try to influence people's behaviour. It is to make people's lives longer, healthier and better. Institutions in private sector and also the government should make conscious efforts to steer people's choices to improve their lives. A policy is paternalistic, if it tries to influence choices that make choosers better off, as judged by people themselves. It is a fact that individuals make often pretty bad decisions. These would not have been made, had they paid full attention and possessed complete information, unlimited cognitive abilities and complete self-control. Libertarian paternalism, however, is a relatively weak, soft and non-intrusive type of paternalism, because it does not force people from taking bad decisions.
The movement of libertarian paternalism is unattractive as it is a combination of
Answer: C. Contradictory concepts — ConceptA reading-comprehension answer must be based on the relationships stated in the passage. When an author says that two ideas seem mutually incompatible,…
- A.
Common sense concepts
- B.
Dogmatic concepts
- C.
Contradictory concepts
- D.
Popular culture and politics
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Concept
A reading-comprehension answer must be based on the relationships stated in the passage. When an author says that two ideas seem mutually incompatible, that apparent tension identifies how their combination is initially perceived.
Application
The passage associates libertarianism with freedom of choice and paternalism with deliberate influence over choices for people’s welfare. It then says that these concepts seem contradictory, which directly describes why their combination initially appears unattractive.
Contrast
Common sense concepts describes the author’s later assessment after both terms are properly understood.
Dogmatic concepts would describe rigid adherence to doctrine, a characterization the passage does not assign to the two ideas.
Popular culture and politics are identified as sources of stereotypes surrounding the two words, rather than as the two concepts combined in the movement.
Result
Therefore, the movement is initially unattractive because it combines contradictory concepts.