Direction for the following 4 (four) items: Read the following four passages and answer the items (21-24) that follow. Your answer to these items should be based on the passages only.

Inequality violates a basic democratic norm: the equal standing of citizens. Equality is a relation that obtains between persons in respect of some fundamental characteristic that they share in common. Equality is, morally speaking, a default principle. Therefore, persons should not be discriminated on grounds such as race, caste, gender, ethnicity, disability, or class. These features of human condition are morally irrelevant. The idea that one should treat persons with respect not only because some of these persons possess some special features or talent, for example skilled cricketers, gifted musicians, or literary giants, but because persons are human beings is by now part of common sense morality.

With reference to the above passage, the following assumptions have been made:
1. Equality is a prerequisite for people to participate in the multiple transactions of society from a position of confidence.
2. Occurrence of inequality is detrimental to the survival of democracy.
3. Equal standing of all citizens is an idea that cannot actually be realised even in a democracy.
4. Right to equality should be incorporated into our values and day-to-day political vocabulary.
Which of the above assumptions are valid?

Correct Answer: 1 and 4 only

Step-by-Step Explanation:

Let us evaluate each of the given assumptions based on the provided passage:

1. Assumption 1: "Equality is a prerequisite for people to participate in the multiple transactions of society from a position of confidence."
The passage states that inequality violates "the equal standing of citizens" and that equality is a fundamental relation between persons moral principle. Equal standing allows individuals to function in society without discrimination based on morally irrelevant grounds (race, caste, gender, class, etc.), thereby giving them confidence in societal participation. Thus, Assumption 1 is valid.

2. Assumption 2: "Occurrence of inequality is detrimental to the survival of democracy."
While the passage mentions that "Inequality violates a basic democratic norm", it does not state or imply that inequality leads to the complete destruction or failure of the "survival" of democracy. This assumption goes beyond the scope of the passage and is too extreme. Thus, Assumption 2 is invalid.

3. Assumption 3: "Equal standing of all citizens is an idea that cannot actually be realised even in a democracy."
The passage advocates for equality as a moral default and common sense morality. It nowhere suggests that equal standing is an unachievable or impossible ideal in a democracy. Thus, Assumption 3 is invalid.

4. Assumption 4: "Right to equality should be incorporated into our values and day-to-day political vocabulary."
The passage notes that treating persons with respect simply because they are human beings is part of "common sense morality" and that morally irrelevant features like race, caste, gender, or class should not be grounds for discrimination. This highlights that equality needs to be deeply rooted in moral values and everyday norms/vocabulary. Thus, Assumption 4 is valid.

Therefore, only assumptions 1 and 4 are valid, making 1 and 4 only the correct option.