Given below are two statements: one is labelled Assertion (A), and the other…
2020
Given below are two statements: one is labelled Assertion (A), and the other is labelled Reason (R).
Assertion (A): Data must be authentic before it can be of any value in historical research; yet proof of authenticity does not establish its value, because it must also be accurate.
Reason (R): External criticism is therefore referred to as lower criticism of the data.
In light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below.
- A.
Both (A) and (R) are correct and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
- B.
Both (A) and (R) are correct but (R) is NOT the correct explanation of (A)
- C.
(A) is correct but (R) is not correct
- D.
(A) is not correct but (R) is correct
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Concept
Historical source criticism separates two questions: whether a source is genuine and whether its contents are trustworthy.
External criticism, also called lower criticism, establishes authenticity first; internal or higher criticism then examines accuracy and credibility. Authenticity is necessary, but it is not sufficient by itself.
Application
The assertion follows this two-stage rule: historical data must first be authentic, and its content must also be accurate before it has evidential value.
The reason also follows the rule. External criticism is called lower criticism because it is the preliminary or foundational test of the source, preceding the internal examination of its content. That foundational role explains the sequence described in the assertion.
Contrast
“Both are true but the reason is not the explanation” would require the term lower criticism to be unrelated to the preliminary authenticity test; here it denotes precisely that first-stage role.
“The assertion is true but the reason is false” conflicts with the established name lower criticism for external criticism.
“The assertion is false but the reason is true” ignores the distinct need to test both source authenticity and content accuracy.
Result
Thus, both the assertion and the reason are correct, and the reason correctly explains the assertion.