Difficulty: Medium

Average Score: 50%

Philosophy is at odds with common sense. One of the things peculiar to common sense is that it must not be questioned, but taken for granted. It is made up of a mass of convictions that form the solidified and uniform belief on which people act and which is the unconscious premise of most human reasoning. We use common sense to live by or to think by, but we do not think about it at all. Now suppose that in some whimsical and senseless mood someone does think about common sense. Something very startling happens. This once unchallenged authority is proved to be highly fallible. Its spell is gone. It suddenly becomes clear that common sense has had a history, and that it has varied with times and places. The absurdities of yesterday are the common sense of today. Philosophers are the people who, at the risk of being thought odd, challenge common sense. They set themselves against passively accepted 'truth' in order that the majority may be brought to reflect upon notions that have been taken for granted. Philosophers are reckless critics, insuppressible askers of questions, who do not know where to stop.

By using the phrase 'Its spell is gone' (lines 9 - 10), the author suggests that common sense

Rationale

often does not stand up to logical questioning.

The phrase "Its spell is gone" indicates that the author believes common sense, once an unquestioned authority, can be critically examined and found lacking when subjected to logical scrutiny. This highlights the fallibility of common sense and its historical variability, suggesting that it may not be as reliable as people assume.

A (is dangerous in modern societies) YOUR ANSWER

This choice implies that common sense poses a risk, but the passage does not focus on the dangers of common sense. Instead, it emphasizes the need to question and reflect on it, suggesting a more nuanced view rather than a purely negative one.

C (used to be more influential than it is today) YOUR ANSWER

While the author notes that common sense has varied over time, they do not explicitly state that its influence has diminished. The focus is more on the ability to question common sense rather than a direct comparison of its past and present influence.

D (appeals to people because it stimulates their imagination) YOUR ANSWER

This option suggests a positive aspect of common sense that the passage does not address. The text discusses common sense as an unquestioned authority rather than as a source of imaginative stimulation, thus misrepresenting the author's intent.

E (is most useful to people when it is not challenged) YOUR ANSWER

This choice misinterprets the author's message. The passage argues that common sense loses its authority when questioned, highlighting that it is not necessarily useful if unexamined; rather, the act of questioning is what reveals its fallibility.

Conclusion

The phrase "Its spell is gone" illustrates that common sense, while once accepted without question, is susceptible to logical critique. This critical perspective fosters awareness of its historical and contextual variability, prompting deeper reflection on beliefs that are often taken for granted. Thus, the author champions philosophical inquiry as a means to challenge and reevaluate these foundational assumptions.

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