Question

read the passage from of the wisdom of the ancients
now the philosophy of the greeks, which in
investigating the material principles of things is careful
and acute, in inquiring the principles of motion, wherein
lies all vigour of operation, is negligent and languid; and
on the point now in question seems to be altogether
blind and babbling, for that opinion of the peripatetics
which refers the original impulse of matter to privation,
is little more than words—a name for the thing rather
than a description of it.
which phrase from the passage best states its central
idea?
○ the philosophy of the greeks, which in investigating
the material principles of things is careful and acute
○ in inquiring the principles of motion, wherein lies all
vigour of operation, is negligent and languid
○ refers the original impulse of matter to privation
○ a name for the thing rather than a description of it

Explanation:

To find the central idea, we analyze the passage. The passage critiques Greek philosophy: while careful with material principles, it's negligent with motion principles, and the Peripatetics' opinion on matter's impulse is just a name, not a real description. The phrase "a name for the thing rather than a description of it" sums up the main critique (that the philosophy's explanation is inadequate, just a label). Other options focus on parts (material principles care, motion principles negligence, or the impulse reference) but not the core conclusion about the explanation being a name, not a description.

Answer:

D. a name for the thing rather than a description of it