Question

ordering the chaos of the contemporary world: an introduction to freakonomics
pre-test complete
1 2 3 4
read the excerpt from levitt and dubners freakonomics.
if morality represents the way we would like the world to work and economics represents how it actually
does work, then the story of feldmans bagel business lies at the very intersection of morality and
economics. yes, a lot of people steal from him, but the vast majority, even though no is watching over them,
do not. this outcome may surprise some people—including feldmans economist friends, who counseled
him twenty years ago that his honor - system scheme would never work. but it would not have surprised
adam smith. in fact, theme of smiths first book, the theory of moral sentiments, was the innate honesty of
mankind. “how selfish soever man may be supposed,” smith wrote, “there are evidently some principles in
his nature which interest him in the fortune of others, and render their happiness necessary to him, though
he derives nothing from it, except the pleasure of seeing it.”
which best describes the authors purpose in using a quotation from adam smiths book the theory of moral
sentiments?
○ to highlight their knowledge of scottish philosophers
○ to prove that people are inherently dishonest
○ to demonstrate that incentive is the driving force behind cheating
○ to lend credibility and additional support to their conclusion

Explanation:

The question is about analyzing the purpose of a quotation in a text, which relates to literary analysis (subfield of Arts - Literature) or rhetorical analysis. The authors use Adam Smith's quote to support their conclusion about human honesty (from Feldman's bagel business example). Option 1 is incorrect as the purpose isn't to show knowledge of philosophers. Option 2 is wrong because the quote and example show inherent honesty, not dishonesty. Option 3 is incorrect as the quote is about honesty, not cheating incentives. Option 4 is correct as using a respected figure's quote lends credibility to their conclusion about human nature (honesty in the bagel business context).

Answer:

D. to lend credibility and additional support to their conclusion