Question

Which of the following statements about an understandable and false proposition is not supported by the Spinozan hypothesis?

• A. Its comprehension is a prerequisite for its rejection.
• B. Its comprehension does not require effort.
• C. Its acceptance occurs before its rejection.
• D. Its comprehension is automatically followed by its acceptance.
• E. Its rejection does not happen automatically.

Hint:

Pay close attention to words that describe relationships, such as "together," "followed by," "before," and "after." In critical reading questions, such subtle differences in meaning can be the key to identifying the correct answer.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The question asks to identify a statement that is inconsistent with or not supported by the description of the Spinozan hypothesis in the passage, specifically concerning a false proposition.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
According to the passage, the Spinozan hypothesis states that "comprehension of and belief in an understandable proposition happen together, automatically and passively". The process for dealing with a false proposition is: first, it is automatically understood and believed. Second, through a "later, willful assessment," it may be "unaccepted (disbelieved)."
Let's evaluate each option against this model:
(A) Its comprehension is a prerequisite for its rejection. This is supported. One must first comprehend (and believe) the proposition before they can assess and reject it.
(B) Its comprehension does not require effort. This is supported. The passage states comprehension happens "automatically and passively."
(C) Its acceptance occurs before its rejection. This is supported. The initial automatic step is comprehension-belief (acceptance). Rejection comes later, if at all.
(E) Its rejection does not happen automatically. This is supported. The passage says disbelief comes from an "effortful, deliberate assessment," which is the opposite of automatic.
(D) Its comprehension is automatically followed by its acceptance. This statement is subtly incorrect. The passage says comprehension and acceptance (belief) "happen together", implying they are a single, simultaneous event, not a sequence of two events where one follows the other, even if automatically. The phrasing "followed by" suggests a sequence: Event 1 (comprehension) happens, and then Event 2 (acceptance) happens. The Spinozan model suggests a single event: Event 1 (comprehension-and-acceptance). This fine distinction makes this statement the one that is not precisely supported by the text's description. The other four statements are direct consequences of the hypothesis as described.

Step 3: Final Answer:
The nuance in the wording "followed by" implies a sequence, whereas the passage states comprehension and belief "happen together." This makes option (D) the statement that is not accurately supported by the text.