#25 - Global Reference, Must Be True, Author's Perspective

[Krwill]

Where in the passage can I find support for C being the correct answer. I chose E because the passage does express the viewpoints of how certain principles of the law should be created using the theory of philosophical anarchism. I was a bit hesitant because it did not speak about enforcing the law but through process of elimination, it still seemed like the best answer.

[Rachael Wilkenfeld]

Hi Krwill,

Let's talk first about answer choice (E). The passage talks a lot about laws, but it doesn't talk very much about how they should be enforced or enacted. It primarily concerns itself with how individuals have an obligation (or lack of an obligation) to obey governmental laws, and why such an obligation might exist.

So let's turn then to answer choice (C). Why would we think the author would agree that people may have reason to support government efforts even if there is no moral duty to obey the laws? If you look at the end of the passage, starting around line 45, the author starts discussing why philosophical anarchists would support certain governmental efforts, particularly in regards to charitable works.

Hope that helps!

[ncolicci11]

Hi Powerscore!

I am still a little confused about how this is the answer. This question stem is asking what the author would agree with but isn't the correct answer choice what the political anarchists would agree with?

[Christen Hammock]

Hi N. Collici!

You're right that the question stem asks about what the author would agree with. In this case, tone comes into play. Because the entire article summarizes and clarifies the philosophical anarchists' ("PAs") viewpoints and helps to correct misconceptions about PAs, there's significant overlap between what the author believes and what the PAs believe. For example, the author clearly wants to correct the misconception that PA leads to people "do[ing] as they please without scruple." This supports Answer Choice (C), that there are other reasons (beyond a moral duty to obey a government's laws) to comply with prohibitions on murder, etc.