Text 1: Psychologist Dr. Anna Foster studies authenticity. "Being true to oneself correlates with well-being," Foster writes. "Authentic expression enhances psychological health. People flourish when they can express their genuine identities."
Text 2: Sociologist Dr. David Chen questions authenticity concepts. "'Authentic self' assumes a fixed inner core to express," Chen argues. "But identities are socially constructed and context-dependent. The 'real self' may be an ideological fiction privileging certain expressions."
What philosophical assumption does Chen challenge in Foster's research?
That psychological research can measure anything
That there exists a stable, pre-social self to express
That well-being has any value
That people have identities at all
Correct Answer: B
Choice B is the correct answer. Foster assumes an authentic self exists to be expressed. Chen questions whether such a fixed "inner core" exists—identity may be constructed rather than discovered.
- Evidence: Chen: authenticity "assumes a fixed inner core."
- Reasoning: If no core self exists, authenticity is conceptually problematic.
- Conclusion: Chen challenges the ontological premise of authentic selfhood.
Choice A is incorrect because Chen doesn't dispute methodology. Choice C is incorrect because Chen doesn't reject well-being's value. Choice D is incorrect because Chen sees identity as constructed, not absent.