Question

question 12 (2 points)
read and carefully consider the argument in the following passage by the ancient
chinese philosopher mencius:
\if people witness a child about to fall down a well, they would experience a feeling
of fear and sorrow instantaneously without an exception. this feeling is generated
not because they want to gain friendship with the child’s parents, nor because they
look for the praise of their neighbors and friends, nor because they don’t like to hear
the child’s scream of seeking help. therefore, it can be suggested that without a
mind of commiseration is not human, that a person without a mind of mortification is
not human, that a person without a mind of conciliation is not human, and that a
person without a mind of discernment is not human. the mind of commiseration is
the driving force of benevolence. the mind of mortification is the driving force of
righteousness. the mind of conciliation is the driving force of propriety. the mind of
discernment is the driving force of wisdom. a person has these four driving forces,
just the same as he has four limbs.\
of the following sentences, which expresses the conclusion of mencius’ argument?
○ \it can be suggested that without a mind of commiseration is not human, that a
person without a mind of mortification is not human, that a person without a
mind of conciliation is not human, and that a person without a mind of
discernment is not human.\
○ \if people witness a child about to fall down a well, they would experience a
feeling of fear and sorrow instantaneously without an exception.\
○ \this feeling is generated not because they want to gain friendship with the
child’s parents, nor because they look for the praise of their neighbors and
friends, nor because they don’t like to hear the child’s scream of seeking help.\

Explanation:

To determine the conclusion, we analyze the argument structure. The first two sentences and the third sentence provide evidence (the scenario of a child falling into a well and the explanation of the feeling's cause). The sentence starting with "It can be suggested..." presents the main claim derived from that evidence, stating what it means to be human in terms of having certain minds (commiseration, mortification, conciliation, discernment). The other options are either the initial evidence (the child - well scenario) or an explanation of the feeling's cause, not the conclusion.

Answer:

A. "It can be suggested that without a mind of commiseration is not human, that a person without a mind of mortification is not human, that a person without a mind of conciliation is not human, and that a person without a mind of discernment is not human."