With reference to the passage, the following assumptions have been made : 1. Human relationships are derived from their religious traditions 2. Human beings can be duty bound only if they believe in god 3. Religious traditions are essential to practice and understand justice Which of these assumption(s) is/are valid ?
- (a) 1 only ✓ UPSC's answer
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Why the answer is (a)
• The passage states that 'Our duties to one another derive from these' (referring to religious traditions or universal ethical principles), validating Assumption 1 that human relationships are derived from religious traditions.
• Assumption 2 is invalid because the passage explicitly mentions 'duty to god, or to some universal ethical principle,' meaning belief in a specific god is not a prerequisite for being duty-bound.
• Assumption 3 is invalid because the passage argues that for justice to be practiced, virtue, rights, and duties must be grounded in a 'community' or 'common unity,' not necessarily in religious traditions themselves.
• Since only Assumption 1 is supported by the text, the correct option is (a).
Why the other options are wrong
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- Assumption 2 is incorrect because duties can derive from universal ethical principles, not just belief in god, and Assumption 3 is incorrect because justice requires grounding in community, not religious tradition.
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- Assumption 3 is incorrect because the passage identifies 'community' and 'common unity' as the essential grounds for practicing justice, not religious traditions.
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
- Assumptions 2 and 3 are incorrect; duties do not require belief in god, and justice is grounded in community rather than religious tradition.
Asked in the CSAT Paper II of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2016, held on 7 August 2016. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.