Text 1: Philosopher Dr. Helen Wu argues for moral progress. "Expanding moral consideration—from tribe to nation to humanity to animals—represents genuine ethical advancement," Wu writes. "We're more enlightened than our ancestors."
Text 2: Historian Dr. Marcus Park complicates progress narratives. "Each era has moral blind spots invisible to its inhabitants," Park observes. "Future generations will likely judge us harshly for practices we don't recognize as wrong. Claiming moral progress risks assuming we've escaped the pattern."
What does Park's observation suggest about Wu's confidence in moral progress?
That moral change has never occurred in history
That present moral confidence may parallel past generations' similar blind confidence
That ethical philosophy is impossible
That all moral views are equally correct
Correct Answer: B
Choice B is the correct answer. Park notes past generations couldn't see their blind spots—and we likely can't see ours. Wu's "enlightened" confidence might mirror predecessors' confidence that was misplaced.
- Evidence: Park: "Future generations will likely judge us harshly."
- Reasoning: If every era has blind spots, assuming we've escaped requires justification.
- Conclusion: Wu's confidence parallels past confidence now seen as limited.
Choice A is incorrect because Park implies change—future judgment suggests different standards. Choice C is incorrect because Park engages ethically. Choice D is incorrect because Park discusses progress, not relativism.