Question

Read the following passage and answer the question that follows:

Egalitarianism is a trend of thought in political philosophy. An egalitarian favours equality of some sort: People should get the same, or be treated the same, or be treated as equals, in some respect. An alternative view expands on this last-mentioned option: People should be treated as equals, should treat one another as equals, should relate as equals, or enjoy an equality of social status of some sort. Egalitarian doctrines tend to rest on a background idea that all human persons are equal in fundamental worth or moral status. Egalitarianism is a protean doctrine, because there are several different types of equality, or ways in which people might be treated the same, or might relate as equals, that might be thought desirable.

Q. Which of the following is correct with reference to the passage above?

• A.
  Egalitarian view is that people should be treated the same or as equals in all respects.
• B.
  Equality in moral status or fundamental worthiness is the idea Egalitarianism built upon.
• C.
  Implementation of the Egalitarian movement requires an extensive deconstruction of society to remove all instances of inequality present in it.
• D.
  Egalitarianism is a desirable trend because it is a protean doctrine.

Answer 1

The correct option is B

Equality in moral status or fundamental worthiness is the idea Egalitarianism built upon.
Explanation:

Option (a) is incorrect. In the passage it is mentioned that “People should get the same, or be treated the same, or be treated as equals, in some respect.” not all respects, hence it is wrong.

Option (b) is correct. This line “Egalitarian doctrines tend to rest on a background idea that all human persons are equal in fundamental worth or moral status” clearly points out that Equality in moral status or fundamental worthiness is the main idea behind the Egalitarian concept.

Option (c) is incorrect. The statement is not relevant to the passage, as the information in the statement is not discussed in the passage, hence it is to be discarded.

Option (d) is incorrect. It is not mentioned in the passage that the Egalitarian doctrine is desired because it is a protean doctrine. Hence it is incorrect.