Question

from self-reliance
society everywhere is in conspiracy against the manhood of every one of its members. society is a joint stock company, in which the request is conformity. self-reliance is its aversion. it loves not realities and creators, but names and customs.
(from self reliance by ralph waldo emerson)
which statement best represents the author’s viewpoint about society?

1. society encourages economic growth.
2. society seeks similarity over originality.
3. society is full of individuals looking for unity.
4. society makes decisions based on the individual.

Explanation:

The passage says society is a joint - stock company where members agree for better security, and it loves names and customs (not realizers/creators), implying it prefers similarity (conformity) over originality (self - reliance, being a realizer/creator). Option 1: No mention of economic growth. Option 3: The passage is about society's attitude to conformity/self - reliance, not individuals seeking unity. Option 4: Society wants conformity, not decisions based on individuals. So option 2 matches.

Answer:

1. Society seeks similarity over originality.