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To think that Socrates' original words have remained free of
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30 Sep 2025, 00:08
30 Sep 2025, 00:08
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To think that Socrates' original words have remained free of ________ is strikingly naïve: the only extant words we have of Socrates are not actually those of the philosopher himself, but were attributed to him by Plato, in many of the latter's writing (a transcription that itself has, in the past two millennia, undergone countless translations and revisions).
| Two Answers |
|---|
| A. bias |
| B. corruption |
| C. censorship | D. artifice | E. bastardization |
| F. expression |
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Re: To think that Socrates' original words have remained free of
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07 Oct 2025, 13:20
07 Oct 2025, 13:20
Expert Reply
Breakdown of the Blank
The sentence argues that it is "strikingly naïve" to believe that Socrates' original words have remained free of ________
The evidence for the potential problem is listed:
1. The only words we have were transcribed and attributed to Socrates by Plato.
2. That transcription then underwent "countless translations and revisions" over two millennia.
The blank needs words that describe the negative effect of being transcribed, translated, and revised over time-that is, the words have been altered, damaged, or changed from their original, authentic form.
- A. bias: Prejudice in favor of or against one thing. While Plato may have introduced bias, the subsequent "translations and revisions" suggest a broader problem of textual decay and change.
- B. corruption: The process by which something is changed from its original or correct form into something erroneous or debased. This is a strong fit, describing the textual damage from transcription and countless revisions.
- C. censorship: The suppression or prohibition of any parts of books, films, news, etc., that are considered unacceptable. While possible, the primary mechanism described is simple revision and translation, not just deliberate suppression.
- D. artifice: Clever or cunning devices or expedients, especially as used to trick or deceive others. This focuses only on Plato's cunning, ignoring the two millennia of revisions.
- E. bastardization: The act of corrupting or changing something in such a way as to lower its quality or value, often by adding incongruous elements. This is a perfect synonym for corruption in this textual context, referring to the degradation of the original words over time.
- F. expression: The process of making known one's thoughts or feelings. This is neutral and does not fit the negative context.
The two words that mean the damage or debasement of the original text through change are corruption and bastardization.
The correct choices are B. corruption and E. bastardization.
The sentence argues that it is "strikingly naïve" to believe that Socrates' original words have remained free of ________
The evidence for the potential problem is listed:
1. The only words we have were transcribed and attributed to Socrates by Plato.
2. That transcription then underwent "countless translations and revisions" over two millennia.
The blank needs words that describe the negative effect of being transcribed, translated, and revised over time-that is, the words have been altered, damaged, or changed from their original, authentic form.
- A. bias: Prejudice in favor of or against one thing. While Plato may have introduced bias, the subsequent "translations and revisions" suggest a broader problem of textual decay and change.
- B. corruption: The process by which something is changed from its original or correct form into something erroneous or debased. This is a strong fit, describing the textual damage from transcription and countless revisions.
- C. censorship: The suppression or prohibition of any parts of books, films, news, etc., that are considered unacceptable. While possible, the primary mechanism described is simple revision and translation, not just deliberate suppression.
- D. artifice: Clever or cunning devices or expedients, especially as used to trick or deceive others. This focuses only on Plato's cunning, ignoring the two millennia of revisions.
- E. bastardization: The act of corrupting or changing something in such a way as to lower its quality or value, often by adding incongruous elements. This is a perfect synonym for corruption in this textual context, referring to the degradation of the original words over time.
- F. expression: The process of making known one's thoughts or feelings. This is neutral and does not fit the negative context.
The two words that mean the damage or debasement of the original text through change are corruption and bastardization.
The correct choices are B. corruption and E. bastardization.
gmatclubot
Re: To think that Socrates' original words have remained free of [#permalink]
07 Oct 2025, 13:20
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