The over-whelming preponderance of people have not freely decided what to believe, but, rather, have been socially conditioned (indoctrinated) into their beliefs. They are unreflective thinkers. Which of the following statements CANNOT be concluded from the excerpt?
Things that we do automatically need to be reflected upon
A lot of people end up believing what they passionately oppose
Beliefs that appear normal and natural heighten their acceptance
A normal thinker finds it difficult to recognize what is happening to them
The inability to criticize one’s belief leads to indoctrination
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The Correct Option isB
Solution and Explanation
The passage highlights two main points:
Most people do not freely choose their beliefs but are socially conditioned.
They are unreflective thinkers, i.e., they don’t critically analyze their beliefs.
From this, the following can be concluded:
(1) is reasonable: automatic/unquestioned habits need reflection.
(3) is supported: when beliefs feel “normal and natural,” they are more readily accepted.
(4) is valid: unreflective thinkers don’t recognize their conditioning.
(5) is also valid: inability to criticize one’s own beliefs leads to indoctrination.
However, (2) is not supported. The excerpt does not suggest that people end up believing what they passionately oppose; rather, it says they accept beliefs without reflection. There is no mention of “passionate opposition.”
Thus, the statement that cannot be concluded is:
\[ \boxed{\text{A lot of people end up believing what they passionately oppose}} \]
