We stand before this great world. The truth of our life depends upon our attitude of mind towards it - an attitude which is formed by our habit of dealing with it according to the special circumstance of our surroundings and our temperaments. It guides our attempts to establish relations with the universe either by conquest or by union, either through the cultivation of power or through that of sympathy. And thus, in our realization of the truth of existence, we put our emphasis either upon the principle of dualism or upon the principle of unity.
Which of the following statements can be BEST inferred from the passage?
- Conquest and union are two ways of realising the truth of our life.
- Principle of dualism is inferior to the principle of unity.
- Our habits and surroundings determine the truth of our life.
- War and conquest are a part of the truth of our life.
- The truth of our life co-evolved with our quest for sympathetic supremacy.
The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Nature of Inference Questions
Inference questions require us to go beyond the literal words of the passage. We must find what is implied or logically follows from the author’s statements, without contradicting the passage.
Step 2: Review of the Passage’s Theme
The passage suggested that our emphasis on dualism or unity does not arise from logic or philosophy alone, but rather from the attitude of mind shaped by our habits and environment. This means personal and external influences guide our perception of truth.
Step 3: Analyzing the Options
- (A) Logical necessity → contradicted by passage (logic is not the only guide).
- (B) Religious faith → not presented as the central guiding force.
- (C) Our habits and surroundings determine the truth of our life → matches the passage’s emphasis on habits + mental attitude shaped by environment.
- (D) Dualism vs unity exclusion → not supported; passage does not claim they can’t co-exist.
- (E) Philosophy superior → not implied by the author.
Step 4: Conclusion
Therefore, the BEST inference is that our habits and surroundings determine the truth of our life.
Final Answer:
\[ \boxed{\text{Our habits and surroundings determine the truth of our life}} \]
According to the passage, our emphasis on dualism or on unity is BEST guided by:
- How we deal with our surroundings and our temperaments
- Our desire to achieve versus our focus on contentment
- Our deals with the universe, based on special circumstances
- How powerful or sympathetic our surroundings and temperament are
- Our attitude of mind, formed by our habits
The Correct Option is
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the Question
The passage contrasts dualism (viewing reality in terms of two opposing forces) with unity (seeing all as one). The question asks what actually guides our emphasis on either side.
Step 2: Analyzing the Options
- (A) Philosophical training → important, but not the root guiding factor.
- (B) Society → influences thought, but not as directly as personal mindset.
- (C) Religious faith → gives a worldview, but again secondary.
- (D) Logical necessity → dualism or unity are not purely products of logic.
- (E) Attitude of mind, shaped by habits → directly answers the passage’s idea that our way of thinking depends more on mental habits than on abstract logic.
Step 3: Linking Back to the Passage
The passage emphasizes that whether we lean towards dualism or unity depends on the mental framework we build over time through repeated habits. Thus, it is our attitude of mind — not external factors — that guides our emphasis.
Step 4: Conclusion
Therefore, the most accurate choice is (E): our attitude of mind, formed by our habits.
Final Answer:
\[ \boxed{\text{Our attitude of mind, formed by our habits}} \]
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Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?
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