Prelims 2024

“The history of science is the real history of mankind.”

In this striking epigram, a nineteenth-century writer links science with its background. Like most epigrams, its power lies in emphasizing by contrast an aspect of truth which may be easily overlooked. In this case, it is easy to overlook the relations between science and mankind, and to treat the former has some abstract third party, which can sometimes be praised for its beneficial influences, but frequently and conveniently blamed for the horrors of war. Science and mankind cannot be divorced from time to time at men’s convenience. Yet we have seen that, in spite of countless opportunities of improvement, the opening years of the present period of civilization have been dominated by international conflict. Is this the inevitable result of the progress of science or does the fault lie elsewhere?

Q1. Which of the following is/are emphatically conveyed by the author of the passage?
1. Without science, mankind could not have continued to exist till today.
2. It is the science that will ultimately determine the destiny of mankind.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Correct answer: d) Neither 1 nor 2

Q2. Based on the above passage, the following assumptions have been made:
1. The horrors of modern life are the inevitable result of the progress of science.
2. The aspect of truth likely to be overlooked is that science is what man has made it.

Which of the assumptions given above is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Correct answer: b) 2 only

Question from UPSC Prelims 2024 CSAT Paper

Let’s analyze this passage carefully to determine what the author is emphatically conveying:

1. The author starts by quoting an epigram that states “The history of science is the real history of mankind.” This is used to highlight the close relationship between science and human history.

2. The author explains that this epigram emphasizes an aspect of truth that’s easily overlooked – the relations between science and mankind.

3. The passage criticizes the tendency to treat science as a separate entity that can be praised or blamed at convenience.

4. The author stresses that “Science and mankind cannot be divorced from time to time at men’s convenience,” emphasizing their inseparable nature.

5. The passage ends by questioning whether international conflicts are an inevitable result of scientific progress or if the fault lies elsewhere.

Explanation Q1:

Now, let’s look at the given statements:

1. “Without science, mankind could not have continued to exist till today.”
2. “It is the science that will ultimately determine the destiny of mankind.”

Neither of these statements is explicitly or emphatically conveyed by the author. The passage emphasizes the close relationship between science and human history, but it doesn’t claim that mankind couldn’t have existed without science or that science will determine mankind’s destiny.

The author is more concerned with highlighting the inseparable nature of science and human society, and questioning the tendency to selectively praise or blame science for human outcomes.

Therefore, the correct answer is: d) Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation Q2:

Let’s analyze these assumptions based on the passage:

1. “The horrors of modern life are the inevitable result of the progress of science.”

This assumption is not supported by the passage. In fact, the author questions this very idea in the final sentence: “Is this the inevitable result of the progress of science or does the fault lie elsewhere?” By posing this as a question, the author is suggesting that it’s not a foregone conclusion that scientific progress leads to horrors. The passage criticizes the tendency to conveniently blame science for things like “the horrors of war.”

2. “The aspect of truth likely to be overlooked is that science is what man has made it.”

This assumption is more closely aligned with the passage’s message. The author emphasizes that “Science and mankind cannot be divorced from time to time at men’s convenience.” This suggests that science is not an independent entity, but rather deeply intertwined with human actions and decisions. The passage criticizes the treatment of science as “some abstract third party,” implying that people often forget that science is a human endeavor.

The most accurate answer based on the passage is: b) 2 only

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