PrepTest 78, Section 2, Question 8
Philosopher: It has been argued that because particular moral codes differ between cultures, morality must be entirely a product of culture and cannot be grounded in some universal human nature. This argument is flawed. Research suggests that certain moral attitudes, such as disapproval of unfairness and cruelty, are shared across all cultures. And just as certain universal tastes like sweetness and saltiness can, in different cultural contexts, provide the basis for many different cuisines, _________.
Philosopher: It has been argued that because particular moral codes differ between cultures, morality must be entirely a product of culture and cannot be grounded in some universal human nature. This argument is flawed. Research suggests that certain moral attitudes, such as disapproval of unfairness and cruelty, are shared across all cultures. And just as certain universal tastes like sweetness and saltiness can, in different cultural contexts, provide the basis for many different cuisines, _________.
Philosopher: It has been argued that because particular moral codes differ between cultures, morality must be entirely a product of culture and cannot be grounded in some universal human nature. This argument is flawed. Research suggests that certain moral attitudes, such as disapproval of unfairness and cruelty, are shared across all cultures. And just as certain universal tastes like sweetness and saltiness can, in different cultural contexts, provide the basis for many different cuisines, _________.
Philosopher: It has been argued that because particular moral codes differ between cultures, morality must be entirely a product of culture and cannot be grounded in some universal human nature. This argument is flawed. Research suggests that certain moral attitudes, such as disapproval of unfairness and cruelty, are shared across all cultures. And just as certain universal tastes like sweetness and saltiness can, in different cultural contexts, provide the basis for many different cuisines, _________.
Which one of the following most logically completes the argument?
moral codes tend to be based in the specific contexts in which they arise
the moral codes of most cultures resemble each other in many respects
a variety of moral codes can be based in shared moral attitudes
it is possible to understand the basis of the moral codes of different cultures
moral attitudes can be adapted to suit the moral codes of many different cultures
Explanations
This philosopher starts out by rejecting the notion that moral codes differing between cultures must mean that there are no universal moral truths. Good start, but then they reroute to an odd-ball simile to make the rest of their case.
They more or less say that we have different cuisines from one culture to another, but we still have common senses of taste like salty and sweet. The way we express or gratify those desires for salty and sweet food simply take different forms across cultures.
So what would follow this reasoning? I want something like, "different moral codes can be manifestations of shared moral values."
Let's see.
Nah, this would support the argument the speaker rails against. If moral codes tend to be based in our specific contexts, then they could totally be culturally derived.
Nope. This is a trap. This allows for the possibility of coincidence. We need something that says, "we might end up with different moral codes, but they come from shared, cross-cultural values."
Bingo. A variety of moral codes (like a variety of cuisines) can be based in shared moral attitudes (like shared sense of taste such as salty and sweet). This is the answer.
No, not even close. While, yes, this is obviously possible, it doesn't follow the philosopher's reasoning that argues for dissimilar moral codes coming from similar moral values the same way this happens with food.
No way. This flips the original argument this philosopher's railing against on its head. This would suggest that we can have culturally distinct moral codes and sort of pick and choose the underlying principles that describe them. This isn't what the philosopher's building toward at all.
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