CAT VA-RC 2021 Slot 2: RC Passage 4

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RC Passage

Direction for the questions 13 to 16: The passage below is accompanied by a set of four questions. Choose the best answer to each question.

Many people believe that truth conveys power. . . . Hence sticking with the truth is the best strategy for gaining power. Unfortunately, this is just a comforting myth. In fact, truth and power have a far more complicated relationship, because in human society, power means two very different things.

On the one hand, power means having the ability to manipulate objective realities: to hunt animals, to construct bridges, to cure diseases, to build atom bombs. This kind of power is closely tied to truth. If you believe a false physical theory, you won’t be able to build an atom bomb. On the other hand, power also means having the ability to manipulate human beliefs, thereby getting lots of people to cooperate effectively. Building atom bombs requires not just a good understanding of physics, but also the coordinated labor of millions of humans. Planet Earth was conquered by Homo sapiens rather than by chimpanzees or elephants, because we are the only mammals that can cooperate in very large numbers. And large-scale cooperation depends on believing common stories. But these stories need not be true. You can unite millions of people by making them believe in completely fictional stories about God, about race or about economics. The dual nature of power and truth results in the curious fact that we humans know many more truths than any other animal, but we also believe in much more nonsense. .

When it comes to uniting people around a common story, fiction actually enjoys three inherent advantages over the truth. First, whereas the truth is universal, fictions tend to be local. Consequently if we want to distinguish our tribe from foreigners, a fictional story will serve as a far better identity marker than a true story. . . . The second huge advantage of fiction over truth has to do with the handicap principle, which says that reliable signals must be costly to the signaler. Otherwise, they can easily be faked by cheaters. . . . If political loyalty is signaled by believing a true story, anyone can fake it. But believing ridiculous and outlandish stories exacts greater cost, and is therefore a better signal of loyalty. . . . Third, and most important, the truth is often painful and disturbing. Hence if you stick to unalloyed reality, few people will follow you. An American presidential candidate who tells the American public the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth about American history has a 100 percent guarantee of losing the elections. . . . An uncompromising adherence to the truth is an admirable spiritual practice, but it is not a winning political strategy. .

Even if we need to pay some price for deactivating our rational faculties, the advantages of increased social cohesion are often so big that fictional stories routinely triumph over the truth in human history. Scholars have known this for thousands of years, which is why scholars often had to decide whether they served the truth or social harmony. Should they aim to unite people by making sure everyone believes in the same fiction, or should they let people know the truth even at the price of disunity?

RC Line-wise Explanation

Paragraph 1

"Many people believe that truth conveys power. . . . Hence sticking with the truth is the best strategy for gaining power."

Explanation: It is commonly believed that being truthful leads to power and that truth is the smartest path to gaining influence.

"Unfortunately, this is just a comforting myth."

Explanation: However, this belief is overly simplistic and not entirely true.

"In fact, truth and power have a far more complicated relationship, because in human society, power means two very different things."

Explanation: Truth and power are connected in a complex way because power itself has multiple meanings in society.

Paragraph 2

"On the one hand, power means having the ability to manipulate objective realities: to hunt animals, to construct bridges, to cure diseases, to build atom bombs."

Explanation: One form of power is about changing the physical world, like making tools, building structures, or developing medicines and weapons.

"This kind of power is closely tied to truth. If you believe a false physical theory, you won’t be able to build an atom bomb."

Explanation: To be successful in manipulating the physical world, you need accurate knowledge; false beliefs won’t help.

"On the other hand, power also means having the ability to manipulate human beliefs, thereby getting lots of people to cooperate effectively."

Explanation: Another form of power is influencing what people believe, so they can work together in large groups.

"Building atom bombs requires not just a good understanding of physics, but also the coordinated labor of millions of humans."

Explanation: Even practical achievements like atom bombs need mass cooperation, not just science.

"Planet Earth was conquered by Homo sapiens rather than by chimpanzees or elephants, because we are the only mammals that can cooperate in very large numbers."

Explanation: Humans dominate the planet because we are uniquely able to form large cooperative groups.

"And large-scale cooperation depends on believing common stories."

Explanation: For people to work together on a large scale, they need shared beliefs.

"But these stories need not be true."

Explanation: These shared beliefs don’t have to be factual.

"You can unite millions of people by making them believe in completely fictional stories about God, about race or about economics."

Explanation: Societies often unite around made-up stories—like religious, racial, or economic myths.

"The dual nature of power and truth results in the curious fact that we humans know many more truths than any other animal, but we also believe in much more nonsense."

Explanation: Humans are unique in both their ability to discover truths and their tendency to believe in falsehoods.

Paragraph 3

"When it comes to uniting people around a common story, fiction actually enjoys three inherent advantages over the truth."

Explanation: Fictional stories are often more effective than truthful ones in bringing people together.

"First, whereas the truth is universal, fictions tend to be local."

Explanation: Truth applies to everyone, but fictional stories can be unique to specific groups.

"Consequently if we want to distinguish our tribe from foreigners, a fictional story will serve as a far better identity marker than a true story."

Explanation: Because fictions are specific, they help differentiate one group from another.

"The second huge advantage of fiction over truth has to do with the handicap principle, which says that reliable signals must be costly to the signaler."

Explanation: Another advantage is based on a theory that for a belief to be convincing, it must come at a cost.

"Otherwise, they can easily be faked by cheaters."

Explanation: If beliefs are too easy to fake, people might lie to fit in.

"If political loyalty is signaled by believing a true story, anyone can fake it."

Explanation: If a belief is obviously true, pretending to believe it doesn't prove loyalty.

"But believing ridiculous and outlandish stories exacts greater cost, and is therefore a better signal of loyalty."

Explanation: Believing in strange or false stories is harder, so doing so is seen as proof of genuine loyalty.

"Third, and most important, the truth is often painful and disturbing."

Explanation: Finally, people often don’t like the truth because it can be upsetting.

"Hence if you stick to unalloyed reality, few people will follow you."

Explanation: Leaders who insist on harsh truths don’t attract many followers.

"An American presidential candidate who tells the American public the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth about American history has a 100 percent guarantee of losing the elections."

Explanation: A politician who is brutally honest about uncomfortable truths will definitely lose voter support.

"An uncompromising adherence to the truth is an admirable spiritual practice, but it is not a winning political strategy."

Explanation: While being truthful is morally good, it doesn’t help in gaining political power.

Paragraph 4

"Even if we need to pay some price for deactivating our rational faculties, the advantages of increased social cohesion are often so big that fictional stories routinely triumph over the truth in human history."

Explanation: Even though suspending logic may have costs, the benefit of social unity often makes fictional beliefs more powerful than truth.

"Scholars have known this for thousands of years, which is why scholars often had to decide whether they served the truth or social harmony."

Explanation: This dilemma is ancient: intellectuals have long had to choose between truth and unity.

"Should they aim to unite people by making sure everyone believes in the same fiction, or should they let people know the truth even at the price of disunity?"

Explanation: Scholars face a tough choice: promote unity through shared myths or reveal the truth, risking division.

RC Paragraph Explanation

Paragraph 1 Summary

People often assume truth equals power, but this idea is misleading because power can mean either mastering reality or influencing beliefs—two very different things.

Paragraph 2 Summary

Power over reality depends on truth, but power over people depends on belief, even in falsehoods. Human societies rely on shared stories—true or not—for cooperation and dominance.

Paragraph 3 Summary

Fiction is often more effective than truth at uniting people because it can distinguish groups, signal loyalty, and avoid painful truths that drive people away.

Paragraph 4 Summary

Fictional beliefs often triumph over truth because they promote unity. Scholars have long struggled with choosing between truth and social harmony.

RC Quick Table Summary
Paragraph NumberMain Idea
Paragraph 1Truth doesn’t always lead to power; power has both material and belief-based forms.
Paragraph 2Humans need shared beliefs—true or not—for mass cooperation and societal success.
Paragraph 3Fiction unites people better than truth due to identity, loyalty signaling, and emotional appeal.
Paragraph 4Fiction often beats truth in history because it strengthens social bonds; truth can divide.

RC Questions

Ques 13. The central theme of the passage is about the choice between:

Correct Answer: (B) Detailed explanation by Wordpandit: The author commences the passage with the intriguing proposition that unvarnished truth might not always be synonymous with wielding power. Diving deeper, he asserts that, at times, achieving societal unity demands strategies that might stray from stringent adherence to truth. As the narrative reaches its conclusion, the author encapsulates this intricate balance between authenticity and societal harmony: In numerous instances throughout human history, the magnetic allure of fostering societal bonds has eclipsed the pristine clarity of truth. This sway of fiction over factual accuracy has not escaped the observation of scholars for millennia. This profound realization often placed scholars at a crossroads, compelling them to choose between championing unyielding truth or promoting societal equilibrium.Drawing from the essence of the passage, Option B emerges as the most apt representation of the author's message.The crux of the author's discourse doesn't revolve around dissecting the nature or characteristics of tales or the specific narratives advanced by leaders. This renders Options A and C as tangential and not directly addressing the central theme.The mention of 'power' in the text serves as a precursor to delve into the nuanced relationship between unwavering truth and its utility in societal contexts. However, the focal point of the author's argument is not the juxtaposition of truth against power. Instead, it's the delicate equilibrium between truth and the pursuit of social harmony, leading to the dismissal of Option D.

Ques 14. The author would support none of the following statements about political power EXCEPT that:

Correct Answer: (D) Detailed explanation by Wordpandit: At no point in the passage does the author propound the idea that there's an upper boundary to the sway myths might have over individuals or advocate for setting such limits. Consequently, Option A can be readily dismissed. Delving deeper into the narrative, the author underscores the discomforting nature of unvarnished truths. Raw, unfiltered truths, while holding merit, often prove unsettling and unpalatable to many. Consider the scenario of a U.S. presidential hopeful. If this individual were to candidly relay every facet of American history, without glossing over or omitting any detail, they'd invariably sabotage their own electoral prospects. Such an approach, which remains unwaveringly faithful to the truth, might be laudable from a moral or spiritual perspective. However, in the ruthless arena of politics, it's tantamount to a self-defeating strategy. From this elucidation, Option B emerges as directly contradictory to the passage's essence. The author, in fact, cautions against a puritanical allegiance to truth if electoral victory is the objective. Similarly, Option C stands in stark contrast to the author's contention. The narrative hints that sometimes, moderating or even sidestepping the whole truth might be the ticket to retaining political authority. This brings us to Option D, which aligns seamlessly with the passage's overarching message, making it the most appropriate selection.

Ques 15. The author implies that, like scholars, successful leaders:

Correct Answer: (C) Detailed explanation by Wordpandit: The passage illuminates an intriguing aspect of human behavior: sometimes, for the sake of preserving social cohesion, we may find it necessary to temporarily suspend our rational thinking. Throughout history, the allure of fictional narratives has frequently overshadowed hard truths, lending them a potent charm. This isn't a novel phenomenon. Scholars, those guardians of knowledge, have been privy to this for millennia. These academics have perennially grappled with a moral quandary. Should they prioritize an unwavering commitment to factual accuracy, even if it risks splintering societal bonds? Or, should they champion unifying myths, even at the expense of veracity? Delving further into the narrative's nuances, in a section preceding the conclusion, the author draws attention to the modus operandi of astute leaders. These leaders artfully straddle the delicate balance between presenting reality and promoting societal unity, ensuring the best possible outcomes. Mirroring this, as revealed in the aforementioned passage, scholars too have historically faced similar choices. This revelation makes Option C the most resonant with the passage's essence. Contrarily, the passage does not insinuate that there's been a chronological evolution in the way leaders and scholars approach social cohesion. Thus, Option A doesn't hold water. Similarly, the passage does not definitively establish that scholars employ myths as a tool to acquire power, as some leaders might. This leads to the dismissal of Option B. Lastly, suggesting that scholars leverage myths to prolong their tenure or "stay in office" akin to political leaders is not substantiated in the passage, rendering Option D invalid.

Ques 16. Regarding which one of the following quotes could we argue that the author overemphasises the importance of fiction?

Correct Answer: (A) Detailed explanation by Wordpandit: Option A: In the narrative, the author underscores a profound dilemma often encountered by scholars: the delicate act of choosing between unvarnished truth and fostering social harmony. By focusing on this choice, the narrative places immense weight on the potential impact of the fiction crafted by the scholar. This portrayal might come across as an exaggerated emphasis on the scope and influence of such fictional narratives. Consequently, Option A emerges as the answer since it captures this overemphasis. Option B: This option doesn't overstate any aspect. It simply recognizes that humans have indeed achieved monumental feats that can indeed alter our perception of the tangible reality around us. Due to its balanced presentation, Option B can be set aside. Option C: This option subtly diminishes the value of unblemished truth while not amplifying the worth of fiction. It shifts focus from the potency of fiction to the possible diminished relevance of truth, rendering it distinct from the core argument. Option D: Option D articulates a statement that seems tangential to the central discussion on the magnitude of importance accorded to myths in the narrative.

Actual CAT VA-RC 2021 Slot 2: Question-wise Index

Reading ComprehensionWords from the Passage
RC Passage 1 (Q 1 to 4) Must-Learn Words (Passage 1)
RC Passage 2 (Q 5 to 8) Must-Learn Words (Passage 2)
RC Passage 3 (Q 9 to 12) Must-Learn Words (Passage 3)
RC Passage 4 (Q 13 to 16) Must-Learn Words (Passage 4)
Verbal Ability
Ques 17 (Paragraph Summary) Ques 18 (Para-jumble)
Ques 19 (Misfit/Odd one out) Ques 20 (Misfit/Odd one out)
Ques 21 (Para-jumble) Ques 22 (Paragraph Summary)
Ques 23 (Para-jumble) Ques 24 (Paragraph Summary)

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