The idea which the first part of the passage mentions is
- (a) agreement about telling lies.
- (b) disagreement about telling lies.
- (c) disagreement about telling the truth.
- (d) disagreement about the harm in telling the truth. ✓ UPSC's answer
Why the answer is (d)
• The first part of the passage states that 'most people would agree that telling deliberate lies is wrong'.
• It immediately adds an exception: 'except perhaps in certain special situations where more harm will be done by telling the truth'.
• This exception implies that in those specific situations, people might disagree with the general rule because the act of telling the truth causes harm.
• Therefore, the core idea mentioned is a potential disagreement regarding the consequences (harm) of telling the truth in special cases.
• This aligns with option (d), which focuses on the disagreement about the harm in telling the truth.
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) agreement about telling lies.
- The passage describes a general agreement that lies are wrong, but the specific nuance highlighted in the first part is the exception based on harm, not just the agreement itself.
- (b) disagreement about telling lies.
- The passage explicitly states that 'most people would agree' that lies are wrong, indicating agreement rather than disagreement about the act of lying.
- (c) disagreement about telling the truth.
- The disagreement is not about the act of telling the truth itself, but specifically about the harm that results from telling the truth in special situations.
Asked in the CSAT Paper II of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2021, held on 10 October 2021. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.