Q24

[steves]

I understand why (B) is correct--but I don't see why (A) is wrong. They both seem to say essentially the same thing. Passage A argues for (A) but Passage (B) disagrees.

[christine.defenbaugh]

Thanks for posting, steves!

This paired passage is tricky! There are a lot of very similar concepts being thrown around (objectivity, detachment, neutrality, non-partisanship), but Passage B makes some slick distinctions amongst them that we have to take careful note of.

To do this, we're going to stick to my RC mantra: line references, or it didn't happen!

First, let's tackle the correct answer, (B): what does each author say about strong political comment? Author A is clear - objective historians "must never become an advocate", and "must purge themselves of external loyalties" in the "avoidance of partisanship" (paragraph 3). Author B, however, states clearly that "objectivity is perfectly compatible with strong political commitment" (lines 34-5). Very clear disagreement!

So what about (A)? What does each author say about detachment? Author A's above quotes seem to suggest that 'detachment' is indeed a valuable tool in achieving objectivity. But Author B does not lump detachment in with political commitment. Instead, he says that "the objective thinker does not value detachment as an end in itself but only as an indispensable means of achieving deeper understanding.

In other words, Author B DOES value detachment in achieving an objective view, he just doesn't value detachment as an end result. So the two authors, somewhat surprisingly, would AGREE about (A)!

Let's take a look at the remaining wrong answers:

(C) Neither author makes any claim about whether historians have become more or less objective.
(D) While Author A would disagree with this (line 18), Author B never mentions propaganda or gives any implied support for it.
(E) Author A mentions this directly (lines 11-13), Author B never mentions it.

Does this help clear things up a bit?

[steves]

Yes, thanks! I'm not sure how one can really be detached while retaining a strong political commitment, but that is indeed what Passage B advocates.

[moshemeer]

[quote="christine.defenbaugh"]Thanks for posting, steves!

This paired passage is tricky! There are a lot of very similar concepts being thrown around (objectivity, detachment, neutrality, non-partisanship), but Passage B makes some slick distinctions amongst them that we have to take careful note of.

To do this, we're going to stick to my RC mantra: line references, or it didn't happen!

First, let's tackle the correct answer, (B): what does each author say about strong political comment? Author A is clear - objective historians "must never become an advocate", and "must purge themselves of external loyalties" in the "avoidance of partisanship" (paragraph 3). Author B, however, states clearly that "objectivity is perfectly compatible with strong political commitment" (lines 34-5). Very clear disagreement!

So what about (A)? What does each author say about detachment? Author A's above quotes seem to suggest that 'detachment' is indeed a valuable tool in achieving objectivity. But Author B does not lump detachment in with political commitment. Instead, he says that "the objective thinker does not value detachment as an end in itself but only as an indispensable means of achieving deeper understanding.

In other words, Author B DOES value detachment in achieving an objective view, he just doesn't value detachment as an end result. So the two authors, somewhat surprisingly, would AGREE about (A)[/b]!
[/color]
Let's take a look at the remaining wrong answers:

(C) Neither author makes any claim about whether historians have become more or less objective.
(D) While Author A would disagree with this (line 18), Author B never mentions propaganda or gives any implied support for it.
(E) Author A mentions this directly (lines 11-13), Author B never mentions it.

Does this help clear things up a bit?"

Had some trouble deciding between A and B on this question, chose wrong one ultimately under time pressure. I would add that see passage B thinks detachment is also necessary from line 44 "suspend momentarily his or her own perceptions..."