Question

Direction: Read the following passage and answer the THREE questions that follow.
Corporations continue to ignore the threat of global warming, probably because global warming is a hyper-object, very difficult to touch and feel. Because hyper-objects have much wider time-space boundaries than human beings, we tend to consider hyper-objects as given and non-existent. Therefore, it is very difficult to deal with hyper-objects as their common understanding is lacking. Some of us continue to believe that global warming is blown out of proportion-it is not a serious threat. Even those who understood hyper-objects have yet to figure out the right response to them.
The lack of understanding and response from corporations to “climate change” is evident from the fact that most businesses have remained largely human-centric. Some businesses have adopted green practices- voluntarily, or involuntary. These efforts attempt to reduce emissions through better energy efficiency. Though laudable, the efforts have failed to make any significant dent at the global level; the planet continues to get warmer. Moreover, most of the efforts are still in the sphere of “business as usual” and “what is good for us”.
Business as usual, the current model of economic production and distribution is deeply flawed as it is based mainly on the capitalistic ethos of free-market legitimized through private property, competition, and unlimited consumption. The word “free” has come to mean that there are no constraints on individuals, and the word market has come to mean that buying and selling are the primary mechanisms, and everything is a transaction. Private property gives individuals/nations a chance to create legal rights to own more and more, subject to very little constraints. It is evident in income inequalities witnessed across the world. The very notion of ownership is control-oriented and human-centric that promotes unlimited extraction from the environment, hyper-nationalism, and hyper-individualism. The extraction and exploitation of the environment has served our economic interests, and led to the growth and survival of businesses. However, it has also led to the destruction of the environment. Global warming is the response of nature to human actions driven by businesses operating on the principles of surplus, predictability, control, hyper-rationality, linearity, and quantification. In other words, “business as usual” has yet to dance to the rhythm of nature.
Which of the following statement(s) is NOT in consonance with the author’s views, as expressed in the passage?
1). Patents should be respected.
2). Trading of shares on the free stock markets should be promoted.
3). Building a beautiful resort on a hilltop.

• A. 1 & 2 only
• B. 2 & 3 only
• C. 1 & 3 only
• D. 3 only
• E. 1, 2 & 3

Answer 1

Answer: (E)

The passage provided discusses the author's views on corporations' failure to address the issue of global warming effectively. The author attributes this to the concept of hyper-objects, particularly global warming, which are difficult to grasp and understand due to their complex nature and extended time-space boundaries. The passage critiques the current model of economic production, explaining that it largely revolves around "business as usual," a concept rooted in capitalism and characterized by practices that prioritize economic growth and survival over environmental considerations.

Now, let's analyze the given statements to determine whether they align with the author's views from the passage:

• Statement 1: Patents should be respected. - The passage criticizes the notion of private property, which is aligned with patents, as it encourages ownership and extraction for personal gain, leading to environmental exploitation. This suggests that respecting patents is not in line with the author's views.
• Statement 2: Trading of shares on the free stock markets should be promoted. - The passage implies a criticism of the free market, characterized by unlimited consumption and transactional mechanisms, leading to environmental degradation. Promoting free stock markets aligns with this criticized practice, so it does not align with the author's views.
• Statement 3: Building a beautiful resort on a hilltop. - This activity suggests utilizing and potentially exploiting a natural environment for human satisfaction and economic benefit, without considering environmental impact, which aligns with "business as usual" criticized by the author.

Considering the analysis above, none of the statements aligns with the author's views as expressed in the passage. All three statements follow notions criticized in the passage, such as private ownership, market-driven consumption, and environmental exploitation without regard to global warming.

Conclusion: The statements that are NOT in consonance with the author’s views are 1, 2 & 3.

Answer 2

To determine which statements are NOT in consonance with the author's views from the passage, let's analyze the passage critically. The passage discusses the detrimental role of "business as usual" practices in contributing to global warming and highlights the flaws of current economic production models emphasizing free-market and capitalistic ethos. The author criticizes private property and ownership as hyper-individualistic, leading to environmental degradation. Thus, any statement promoting ideas aligning with private ownership, market transactions, and capitalistic interests is likely not in consonance with the author's views. 
 

• Statement 1: Patents should be respected.
  This notion supports ownership and control of resources or ideas, encouraging consumption and competition—all aspects the author criticizes.
• Statement 2: Trading of shares on the free stock markets should be promoted.
  This promotes capitalism, market transactions, and aligns with the free-market ethos criticized in the passage.
• Statement 3: Building a beautiful resort on a hilltop.
  This reflects private property use and likely environmental exploitation, which the passage argues against.

Given these observations, all three statements are contrary to the author’s critical views on global warming and the underlying economic practices contributing to environmental damage. Therefore, the correct answer is: 1, 2 & 3.