Paragraph: “The history of science is the real history of mankind.”
In this striking epigram, a nineteenth-century writer links science with its background. Like most epigrams, its power lies in emphasizing by contrast an aspect of truth which may be easily overlooked. In this case, it is easy to overlook the relations between science and mankind, and to treat the former has some abstract third party, which can sometimes be praised for its beneficial influences, but frequently and conveniently blamed for the horrors of war. Science and mankind cannot be divorced from time to time at men’s convenience. Yet we have seen that, in spite of countless opportunities of improvement, the opening years of the present period of civilization have been dominated by international conflict. Is this the inevitable result of the progress of science or does the fault lie elsewhere?
Q1. Which of the following is/are emphatically conveyed by the author of the passage?
1. Without science, mankind could not have continued to exist till today.
2. It is the science that will ultimately determine the destiny of mankind.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Correct answer: d) Neither 1 nor 2
Q2. Based on the above passage, the following assumptions have been made:
1. The horrors of modern life are the inevitable result of the progress of science.
2. The aspect of truth likely to be overlooked is that science is what man has made it.
Which of the assumptions given above is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Correct answer: b) 2 only
Question from UPSC Prelims 2024 CSAT
Explanation :
Q1. Let’s examine if the author emphatically conveys either statement:
1. “Without science, mankind could not have continued to exist till today”
– The passage doesn’t make this claim
– The author only states that science and mankind’s history are interlinked, not that mankind’s existence depends on science
2. “Science will ultimately determine mankind’s destiny”
– Again, the passage doesn’t make this deterministic claim
– The author actually questions whether scientific progress inevitably leads to conflict or if the fault lies elsewhere
The author’s main point is about the inseparable relationship between science and mankind, not about existential dependency or destiny. Therefore, (d) Neither 1 nor 2 is correct.
Q2. Let’s examine both assumptions:
1. “The horrors of modern life are the inevitable result of the progress of science”
– The passage explicitly questions this assumption with “Is this the inevitable result of the progress of science or does the fault lie elsewhere?”
– The author suggests looking elsewhere for blame, so this assumption is incorrect
2. “The aspect of truth likely to be overlooked is that science is what man has made it”
– The passage states it’s “easy to overlook the relations between science and mankind”
– The author criticizes treating science as “some abstract third party” that can be blamed at convenience
– This implies that science is inseparable from human actions and choices
– This assumption aligns with the author’s message
Therefore, (b) 2 only is correct.
