LSAT 137 | Section 1 | Reading Comprehension: Q10

RC Question 10 Explanation

DISCUSSION: Paragraph 2 shows described the ‘received’ attitudes we in the West have about traditional societies.

We tend to see only the good, and ignore the bad. So if we are happy observing a ‘simple’ society, we think that society is good.

The question asks for an example of these attitudes. Received attitudes are ideas that oversimplify !Kung society and prevent us from seeing the bad parts.

___________

1. ‘Charm’ is a positive attribute, but it’s not necessarily delusional to view a people as charming. Someone might say ‘The !Kung have considerable charm, but their society has many problems’.
2. The question wants an example of received attitudes. This is just something that’s true. Watching the !Kung makes us happy because we hold received attitudes about the !Kung. the fact that we’re happy is not an example of received attitudes.
3. CORRECT. We think that seminomadic societies are simple. So we see the good parts and ignore the bad parts. This is exactly the type of received attitude described in the first half of paragraph 3.
4. This is just a fact. And it’s a negative fact, so it goes against the false, idealistic ideas Westerners have about the !Kung.
5. This doesn’t sound like wishy-washy idealism about a ‘simple’ society. It may or may not be true, but it doesn’t match the received attitudes of Westerners.