Question Details

Read the passage and answer the questions on the basis of your comprehension: (96 to 100)
The most important distinction between the animal man and others is, that the animal is very soon satisfied and retires within the limits of its necessities, the greater part of its earnings being necessary for its own preservation and the preservation of race. Like a retail shop keeper, it has no large profit from its commerce. But man, if the bulk of its earnings must be spent in paying the interest to its bank. Most of its earnings are employed in mere endeavor to live. But man, if its commerce, is a big merchant: he does a great deal more than he is absolutely compelled to spend. Therefore, there is a vast excess of earnings in man‘s life, which gives him the freedom to be useless and irresponsible to a great measure. There are large outlying tracts, surrounding his necessities, where he has objects that are ends to themselves. The animals must have knowledge, so that their knowledge can be employed for use, in the service of their life. But there they stop. They must know their surroundings in order to be able to procure shelter and seek their food, some properties of things in order to build their dwellings some signs of different seasons to be able to get ready to adapt themselves to the changes. Man, also must have these in order to live. But man has a surplus where he can proudly assert that knowledge is freed. With man, knowledge is freed. Here he has the pure employment of his knowledge because their knowledge is freed from the necessity of life. Thus, this fund of surplus his science and philosophy thrive.


What, according to the writer, is the basic difference between animal and man?

Options

A

Animals are preoccupied with self-sustenance while man aspires for attainment of freedom through knowledge.

B

Animals work beyond the limits of necessity while man maintains austerity.

C

Animals work for profit while man works selflessly.

D

Animals seek freedom at any cost while man is bound to one’s physical needs.

Show Answer

Correct Answer :

Option A

Animals are preoccupied with self-sustenance while man aspires for attainment of freedom through knowledge.

Solution :

Correct Option: Animals are preoccupied with self-sustenance while man aspires for attainment of freedom through knowledge.

Step-by-step Explanation:

To understand why this option is correct, let us analyze the passage's comparison between animals and humans step-by-step:
1. Preoccupation of Animals with Self-Sustenance:
The passage states that "the animal is very soon satisfied and retires within the limits of its necessities." Their activities and earnings are focused strictly on "its own preservation and the preservation of race." Any knowledge they possess is "employed for use, in the service of their life" (such as finding food, seeking shelter, and adapting to seasons). This directly supports the statement that animals are preoccupied with self-sustenance and immediate survival.
2. Man's Aspiration for Freedom through Knowledge:
In contrast, the passage highlights that man has a "surplus where he can proudly assert that knowledge is freed." Because human knowledge is liberated from the immediate, basic necessities of physical survival, humans can utilize this surplus for the pure, free employment of knowledge. This "fund of surplus" is where human science, philosophy, and intellectual freedom thrive.
3. Conclusion:
Comparing these two distinct states, the fundamental difference is that animals limit their actions and knowledge to physical self-preservation, whereas man leverages a surplus of earnings and capacity to achieve intellectual freedom through unbound knowledge.

Unlock Our Free Library

Access expert-curated educational resources and study materials—completely free.

Discover more resources

You may also like

Mock Tests

View All
  • CLAT
  • intermediate
  • 2 hours
  • current affairs, english, general knowledge, legal reasoning, logical reasoning, quant

  • CLAT
  • intermediate
  • 2 hours
  • current affairs, english, general knowledge, legal reasoning, logical reasoning, quant

Ask AI Tutor
5 left
Q1 View Question & Options
AI Tutor is solving this question...
Reading question context & options...