Question: Professor: It has been argued that freedom of thought is a precondition for intellectual progress, because freedom of thought allows thinkers to pursue their ideas, regardless of whom these ideas offend, in whatever direction they lead. However, it is clear that one must mine the full implications of interrelated ideas to make intellectual progress, and for this, thinkers need intellectual discipline. Therefore, this argument for freedom of thought fails.
The conclusion drawn by the professor follows logically if which one of the following is assumed?
(A) Thinkers who limit their line of thought to a particular orthodoxy are hindered in their intellectual progress.
(B) Thinkers can mine the full implications of interrelated ideas only in the context of a society that values intellectual progress.
(C) In societies that protect freedom of thought, thinkers invariably lack intellectual discipline.
(D) Freedom of thought engenders creativity, which aids the discovery of truth.
(E) Without intellectual discipline, thinkers can have no freedom of thought.
Explanation
Let's approach the answer choices.
A: Incorrect
This choice does indeed support the importance of freedom of thought for intellectual progress. However, it doesn't directly address the professor's conclusion that intellectual discipline is needed alongside freedom of thought.
B: Incorrect
This choice connects the societal context to exploring ideas fully. However, it doesn't directly discuss the role of intellectual discipline, which is the professor's main focus.
C: Correct
The professor's argument is based on the idea that while freedom of thought is important for intellectual progress, it's not sufficient on its own. The argument asserts that thinkers also require intellectual discipline to fully explore and understand the implications of their ideas. The conclusion is that the argument for freedom of thought fails.
D: Incorrect
This choice emphasizes the connection between freedom of thought and creativity/truth discovery. While it presents a positive aspect of freedom of thought, it doesn't specifically address the necessity of intellectual discipline.
E: Incorrect
While choice (E) does establish a relationship between intellectual discipline and freedom of thought, it doesn't address the professor's central argument. The professor's argument doesn't claim that thinkers cannot have freedom of thought without intellectual discipline. Instead, the argument asserts that while freedom of thought is crucial, intellectual discipline is also necessary to fully explore ideas and their implications.
“Professor: It has been argued that freedom of thought is a precondition ”– is a GMAT Critical question. To answer the question, a candidate can either find a piece of evidence that would weaken the argument or have logical flaws in the argument. GMAT critical reasoning tests the logical and analytical skills of the candidates. This topic requires candidates to find the argument's strengths and weaknesses or the logical flaw in the argument. The GMAT CR section contains 10 -13 GMAT critical reasoning questions out of 36 GMAT verbal questions.
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