The following text is from an ethics article.
Virtue ethics evaluates agents' characters rather than actions' consequences or conformity to rules. Virtuous agents possess practical wisdom (phronesis) enabling them to perceive moral saliences and act appropriately across varied situations. Critics raise the action-guidance objection: virtue ethics seems to offer no clear decision procedure for moral dilemmas. Defenders counter that such proceduralism misunderstands morality, which requires judgment rather than algorithmic application.
Which choice best describes the function of the last sentence?
It provides a specific example of virtuous decision-making.
It presents a defense that reframes the criticism as a misunderstanding.
It introduces a new objection to virtue ethics.
It traces the historical origins of virtue ethics.
Correct Answer: B
Choice B is the best answer. The last sentence presents defenders' response that the objection "misunderstands morality"—reframing the criticism.
- Evidence: The sentence states: "Defenders counter that such proceduralism misunderstands morality, which requires judgment rather than algorithmic application."
- Reasoning: It offers the defense side's response: the objection is based on a wrong assumption about what morality is.
- Conclusion: The function is to present a defense that reframes criticism.
💡 Strategy: Look for "Defenders counter that... misunderstands."
Choice A is incorrect because no example is given. Choice C is incorrect because it responds to, not introduces, an objection. Choice D is incorrect because history isn't traced.