Text 1: Art historian Dr. Helen Moore examines Byzantine iconography. "Icons were believed to provide access to divine presence," Moore writes. "Byzantine theology held that veneration passed through the image to the prototype. Icons functioned as spiritual conduits."
Text 2: Anthropologist Dr. James Chen studies contemporary image practices. "People still treat photographs of loved ones as more than mere representations," Chen observes. "We handle images carefully, feel connected through them, hesitate to destroy them. The instinct to see images as participatory persists."
What does Chen's observation suggest about the phenomenon Moore describes?
That Byzantine theology was scientifically accurate
That treating images as participatory reflects a persistent human tendency, not only Byzantine belief
That modern people are identical to Byzantine Christians
That photography has religious origins
Correct Answer: B
Choice B is the correct answer. Chen shows similar image treatment in secular contexts—careful handling, connection, hesitation to destroy. This suggests the Byzantine practice reflects broad human tendencies, not unique religious doctrine.
- Evidence: Chen: "instinct...persists" in non-religious contexts.
- Reasoning: Moore's Byzantine case becomes an example of something universal.
- Conclusion: Participatory image treatment is widely human, not culturally unique.
Choice A is incorrect because scientific accuracy isn't claimed. Choice C is incorrect because similarity isn't identity. Choice D is incorrect because Chen discusses psychology, not history.