Question

The discussion on "moral formation" most closely suggests which of the following about the nature of the current societal crisis?

• A. It is an inevitable consequence of modernisation and the decline of traditional norms in all globalised societies.
• B. It cannot be ascribed to external pressures such as economic insecurity and demographic change overwhelming social institutions.
• C. It is chiefly a social problem that manifests as emotional and relational dysfunction.
• D. It is fundamentally a failure of character development and interpersonal responsibility rather than solely structural or economic problems.
• E. It stems primarily from the increasing irrelevance of institutions as a unifying moral force in society.

Hint:

In boldface questions, first identify the main conclusion of the argument. Then, determine the relationship of each boldfaced statement to that conclusion. Is it evidence for the conclusion? Is it the conclusion itself? Is it an opposing viewpoint? Is it a consideration that the author must address?

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Concept
This is an inference question asking us to define the "nature of the crisis" according to the author's perspective, specifically focusing on the term "moral formation."
Step 2: Detailed Explanation
The phrase "moral formation" points to the process by which individuals develop character, ethics, and a sense of responsibility towards others. If the author focuses on the breakdown of this process as the root cause, they are framing the problem as an internal, character-based issue rather than an external, structural one.

(A) and (B) are too extreme. The author likely sees it as a serious problem, not "inevitable" (A), and probably wouldn't claim that external pressures have *no* role (B).
(C) is true but not specific enough. It describes the symptoms (emotional dysfunction) but doesn't capture the author's specific diagnosis related to "moral formation."
(E) is close but focuses only on the institutions. "Moral formation" is about what happens *inside people* as a result of those institutions.
(D) perfectly captures this idea. It frames the crisis as a "failure of character development and interpersonal responsibility" (the outcome of poor moral formation) and explicitly contrasts this with "structural or economic problems," which is the alternative explanation the author is likely arguing against.
Step 3: Final Answer
Option (D) provides the most precise description of a crisis whose root cause is a failure of "moral formation."