Directions: Read the following passage carefully and choose the most appropriate answer to the question out of the four alternatives. A classless society, however, does not mean a society without leaders. It means rather one in which every citizen becomes for the first time eligible for leadership, if he has the power to lead. It means a society in which every one is given, as far as possible, the chance to develop this power by the widest diffusion of educational opportunities in the broadest sense, and by keeping the career wide open to talents of every useful kind. It is often said that a community of equals will not allow itself to be led. But in fact, most men are, in most things, very willing to be led, and more in danger of giving their leaders too much than too little authority, especially if they are free to choose them, and assured that the leaders cannot exploit them for personal economic advantage; leadership, so far from disappearing, will come into its own in a truly democratic society. But it is likely to be a more diffused leadership than we are used to; for a better-nurtured people will have more citizens with strong wills and minds of their own, wishful to lead; some in politics, some in industry, and some in professions and arts of life.
This is the idea of a classless society. Some will reject it as contrary to their interest, some as utopian and against 'Human nature,' for there are some who deny, indeed if not in word, that the aim of society should be to promote the greatest happiness and welfare of the greatest number and others who hold, with pessimistic honesty, that most men must be driven and not led.
According to the passage, the kind of people who deny the idea of a classless society may be called ______
Cynical
Analyzing the Passage on Classless Society and its Deniers
The passage discusses the concept of a classless society, explaining that it is not a society without leaders, but one where leadership potential is widely distributed through education and opportunity, open to talent. It also addresses the idea that such a society would struggle with leadership, arguing instead that people are generally willing to be led, especially if leaders are chosen freely and cannot exploit their position. The passage then describes people who reject this idea of a classless society.
Identifying Those Who Deny the Classless Society Idea
The question asks us to identify the kind of people who, according to the passage, deny the idea of a classless society. Let's look at the part of the passage that describes these individuals:
- Some reject it "as contrary to their interest".
- Some reject it as "utopian and against 'Human nature'".
- Some deny that "the aim of society should be to promote the greatest happiness and welfare of the greatest number".
- Others "hold, with pessimistic honesty, that most men must be driven and not led".
These descriptions paint a picture of people who either view the classless society negatively because it harms their personal interests, or because they have a low opinion of human nature and potential. They doubt that people can be effectively led towards collective well-being and believe force or control ('driven') is necessary.
Evaluating the Options
Let's consider the provided options in light of the passage's description:
- Dystopian: A dystopian view is typically about an imagined state or society where there is great suffering or injustice, often presented as a cautionary tale. While those rejecting the classless society might imagine negative outcomes without classes, the term 'dystopian' doesn't directly describe their *attitude* or *reason* for denial as presented in the text.
- Cynical: A cynical person is someone who believes that people are motivated purely by self-interest; distrustful of human sincerity or integrity. The passage mentions people rejecting the idea as "contrary to their interest" and holding a "pessimistic honesty" that "most men must be driven and not led". This aligns strongly with a cynical viewpoint – doubting the possibility of people acting for the greater good or being motivated by anything other than needing to be controlled due to their inherent nature.
- Idealists: Idealists are people who are guided more by ideals and principles than by practical considerations. The people described in the passage are *rejecting* an ideal (a classless society aiming for the greatest happiness/welfare). Therefore, they are the opposite of idealists in this context.
- Dictatorial: This refers to having or showing a tendency to tell people what to do in an autocratic way. While the belief that men must be "driven" might be associated with dictatorial tendencies, the passage doesn't explicitly label the deniers as dictatorial; it describes their *viewpoint* on society and human nature.
Based on the passage's description of those who reject the classless society – citing self-interest, a pessimistic view of human nature, and a denial of collective welfare goals – the term 'Cynical' best fits their perspective.
Conclusion
The passage describes the people who deny the idea of a classless society as those who see it against their interest, against human nature, or who pessimistically believe people must be driven, not led, towards welfare. This perspective aligns most closely with being cynical.
| Concept | Description in Passage |
|---|---|
| Classless Society (Ideal) | Not without leaders, but leadership open to all with talent; wide education; career open to talent; people willing to be led if free to choose and leaders are not exploitative; diffused leadership. |
| Deniers of Classless Society | Reject it as contrary to interest; utopian; against human nature; deny society's aim is greatest happiness/welfare of greatest number; believe men must be driven, not led (pessimistically). |
Revision Table: Understanding Key Terms
| Term | General Meaning | Relevance to Passage |
|---|---|---|
| Classless Society | A society without social classes or hierarchy based on wealth, status, etc. | The central concept being discussed and denied by some. |
| Leadership | The ability to lead a group of people or an organization. | Discussed in the context of how it functions in a classless society. |
| Utopian | Modeled on or aiming for a state in which everything is perfect; idealistic. | Used by deniers to describe the classless society idea. |
| Cynical | Believing that people are motivated by self-interest; distrustful of human sincerity. | Describes the attitude of those who deny the classless society based on their views on human nature and motives. |
Additional Information on Societal Concepts
Exploring different societal structures and the philosophies behind them helps in understanding such passages.
- Social Stratification: This refers to a society's categorization of its people into rankings of socioeconomic tiers based on factors like wealth, income, race, education, and power. A classless society aims to eliminate or significantly reduce this stratification.
- Human Nature Debate: Philosophy and sociology often debate whether humans are inherently good, bad, or neutral; self-interested or capable of altruism. The passage touches on this when describing the deniers' view that the classless society is "against 'Human nature'" or that men must be "driven".
- Greatest Happiness Principle: This is a key concept in utilitarianism, an ethical theory holding that the best moral action is the one that maximizes utility, often defined as maximizing happiness and reducing suffering for the greatest number. The passage mentions that some deniers reject that society's aim should be "to promote the greatest happiness and welfare of the greatest number".
Understanding these underlying concepts provides context for the arguments presented in the passage regarding the feasibility and desirability of a classless society and the perspectives of those who oppose it.
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