Answer questions on the basis of the following conversation between two friends, Paradox (P) and Herodox (H) P: The human body is but the tomb of the soul and the visible world of matter is appearance that must be overcome if we are to know reality. The former is an integral part of “being”, that which can neither come into existence nor cease to exist for it always is. Being is unmoved and undistributed. Motion and disturbance belong to the realm of “becoming”, the changing world of unreality rather than of “being” in which true reality resides. Further, motion & change by belonging to the realm of “becoming” by having no separate existence of their own are logically inconsistent with reality and hence, unworthy of serious study. H: All things are in a state of perpetual ux. Permanence, and by extension, the concept of “being” is only an illusion. This change and continual transformation, through an often disorderly process of con ict and survival of the ttest, is the underlying principle at work in the universe. It is from this principle that all things come into existence, and forms the basis for the morals and governance patterns that attempt to preserve the social thread of societies. By extension, the study of human activity through the lens of an idealized state of “being” and as a basis for formulating moral codes of conduct is inappropriate at best.
Question: 1
Which of the following statements could be considered as logically consistent with the views of paradox in the above paragraphs?
i. A fly travelling on a flying arrow perceives it to be at rest. Therefore the flying arrow belongs to the realm of being.
ii. The activities of the day to day life are concerned with the unreal part of human existence and hence, should not be subject to moral standards.
iii. Maintaining a balance among the various constituents of society is essential to the well-being and the continuing existence of the soul.
iv. Conflicts and the coming of spontaneous order do not have any underlying causes that are relevant for study as the notion of perpetual flux itself is erroneous.
v. The real is and cannot be non-existent. Further, reality is one and unique.
Show Hint
When analyzing philosophical passages, focus on the central claims (e.g., Paradox = permanence of being, rejection of change). Only select statements that align exactly with those claims.
Step 1: Recall Paradox’s main argument.
Paradox believes that:
- Reality = “being” which is unchanging, unmoved, and eternal.
- Motion and change belong to “becoming,” which is unreal and unworthy of serious study.
- Reality is one, unique, and cannot be non-existent.
Step 2: Check consistency of statements.
- (i) Talking about a fly on a flying arrow → relates to motion. Since Paradox denies reality of motion, this is inconsistent.
- (ii) Linking day-to-day activities and moral standards → moral codes are not discussed by Paradox. Irrelevant.
- (iii) Maintaining balance in society → again, Paradox does not argue for social well-being. Inconsistent.
- (iv) Conflicts and flux have no underlying causes → matches Paradox, who denies the reality of change and flux. Consistent.
- (v) Reality is one and cannot be non-existent → directly matches Paradox’s claim that being is eternal and unique. Consistent.
Step 3: Correct combination.
Statements (iv) and (v) are logically consistent with Paradox.
\[
\boxed{\text{Answer: C (iv and v)}}
\]
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Question: 2
Which of the following statements best represents an implication of Herodox’s ideas?
Show Hint
When asked for an “implication,” look for the broadest and deepest consequence of the philosopher’s core belief. For Herodox, the denial of permanence implies multiple shifting realities rather than one universal truth.
Religion and other approaches that stress on maintaining and developing the purity of the human soul are subjects that do not merit serious attention.
The setting of moral standards and codes of governance have to be more procedure-oriented with a focus on the way humans conduct themselves in their interactions with each other.
Maintaining a balance between various constituents of the society and conflict prevention is essential to the maintenance of social order and a pre-requisite for governance.
As the real world relevant to the existence of human beings is in a state of perpetual flux, attempting to study the same in a systematic manner would be meaningful despite reality itself having changed by then.
There is no notion of time-space-invariant reality. There can be numerous realities both across times and across human cultures and civilizations.
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The Correct Option is
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Recall Herodox’s main argument.
Herodox believes that:
- Everything is in perpetual flux and continual transformation.
- Permanence (the concept of “being”) is an illusion.
- Conflict, survival of the fittest, and disorderly change are the underlying principles.
- Hence, no single invariant reality exists; reality changes across times and cultures.
Step 2: Evaluate options.
- (A) Rejecting religion/soul → partially true, but too narrow. Not the full implication.
- (B) Procedure-oriented moral standards → governance-related, not Herodox’s core claim.
- (C) Balance/conflict prevention → inconsistent, since Herodox sees conflict as central, not something to prevent.
- (D) Studying flux systematically → contradicts Herodox, since permanence is an illusion; systematic study is meaningless.
- (E) Multiple realities across time and culture → exactly matches Herodox’s worldview of perpetual flux. Correct.
\[
\boxed{\text{Answer: E}}
\]
