Question

read the excerpt from anthem.

perhaps, in those days, there were a few among men, a few of clear sight and clean soul, who refused to surrender that word. what agony must have been theirs before that which they saw coming and could not stop!

which best describes how the words \clear sight and clean soul\ reflect the philosophy of objectivism?

they suggest that reality exists outside the mind, whether or not a person can perceive it.
they suggest that each person has a unique version of reality because it is based on individual perception.
they suggest that some people have supernatural abilities and can see the future.
they suggest that the ability to perceive reality does not exist in modern life because it was lost in the past.

Explanation:

Analyze the philosophical context of Objectivism

Ayn Rand's philosophy of Objectivism holds that objective reality exists independently of consciousness, mind, or perception. The phrase "clear sight" refers to the objective perception of this external reality as it actually is, free from collective delusion or subjective distortion.

Evaluate the given options

• Option 1 aligns with the core Objectivist tenet of objective reality: reality exists outside the mind, independent of whether an individual perceives it or surrenders to collective beliefs.
• Option 2 contradicts Objectivism, which rejects the idea that reality is subjective or unique to each individual's perception.
• Option 3 incorrectly interprets "clear sight" as a supernatural ability.
• Option 4 is incorrect because Objectivism maintains that the capacity to perceive objective reality is a fundamental human faculty, not a lost historical trait.

Answer:

• They suggest that reality exists outside the mind, whether or not a person can perceive it. (Correct answer)
• They suggest that each person has a unique version of reality because it is based on individual perception.
• They suggest that some people have supernatural abilities and can see the future.
• They suggest that the ability to perceive reality does not exist in modern life because it was lost in the past.