Direction for Reading Comprehension: The passages given here are followed by some questions that have four answer choices; read the passage carefully and pick the option whose answer best aligns with the passage
passage EXCEPT:
1. the Freudian theory of suicide as self-inflicted aggression implies that an aggressive act need not be sought to be avoided in order for it to be considered aggression.
2. a common theory of aggression is that it is the result of an abnormally low neural regulation of testosterone.
3. if the alleged aggressive act is not sought to be avoided, it cannot really be considered aggression.
4. Freud’s theory of aggression proposes that aggression results from the suppression of aggressive urges.
“[A]n enemy combatant may be subjected to torture in order to extract useful intelligence, though those inflicting the torture may have no real feelings of anger or animosity toward their subject.” Which one of the following best explicates the larger point being made by the author here?
Correct Answer :
In certain kinds of aggression, inflicting pain is not the objective, and is no more than a utilitarian means to achieve another end.
Solution :
Correct Answer: In certain kinds of aggression, inflicting pain is not the objective, and is no more than a utilitarian means to achieve another end.
Explanation:
The author uses the example of torturing an enemy combatant to extract intelligence to illustrate a specific characteristic of certain aggressive actions. In this scenario, the individuals performing the torture do not act out of anger, hostility, or a personal desire to cause suffering to the victim. Instead, the primary objective is to obtain useful information.
Therefore, the infliction of pain and suffering in this context is not an end in itself (the ultimate goal), but rather a tool or a utilitarian means employed to achieve a different, distinct goal (gathering intelligence). This supports the larger point that some forms of aggression are instrumental rather than emotional or hostile; the aggression is carried out to achieve a practical outcome rather than to satisfy an urge to harm someone due to personal animosity.
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