The paradox of fiction asks why we respond emotionally to things we know aren't real. We feel fear during horror movies, grief at tragic novels, though we know the events are fictional. One resolution holds that we're not really afraid—we're experiencing 'quasi-fear.' Another holds that belief isn't necessary for emotion—vivid imagination suffices. A third suggests we temporarily believe during engagement. Each solution has costs: denying our emotional experience, severing emotion from belief, or positing implausible psychology.
It can be inferred from the text that
the paradox of fiction has a universally accepted solution
we never respond emotionally to fiction
our emotional reactions to fiction perfectly match our reactions to real events
explaining common phenomena may require accepting theoretical commitments with their own difficulties
Correct Answer: D
Choice D is the best answer. Each solution resolves the paradox but has costs.
- Context clues: Three solutions exist; "each solution has costs."
- Meaning: Solving the puzzle requires accepting some problematic commitment.
- Verify: The stated costs (denying experience, severing concepts, implausible psychology) show each path has problems.
💡 Strategy: When all solutions have costs, infer that explanation requires accepting difficulties.
Choice A is incorrect because three competing solutions exist, each with costs. Choice B is incorrect because the paradox arises because we do respond emotionally. Choice C is incorrect because the whole puzzle is about why we respond despite knowing fiction differs from reality.