Question

"Some men are certainly intelligent, others are certainly not intelligent, but of intermediate men, we should say, 'intelligent'? Yes, I think, so or no, I shouldn't be inclined to call him intelligent." Which of the following most accurately reflects the intention of the writer of the above?

• A. To call men intelligent who are not strikingly so must be to use the concept with undue imprecision.
• B. Every empirical concept has a degree of vagueness.
• C. Calling someone intelligent or not depends upon one's whim.
• D. There is no need to be as indecisive as the writer of the above.

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

Calling someone intelligent or not depends upon one's whim.

Answer 2

The correct option is (C): Calling someone intelligent or not depends upon one's whim.
Explanation: The writer expresses uncertainty about labeling someone as "intelligent" when their intelligence falls into an intermediate category. This indicates that the decision to categorize someone as intelligent or not can be subjective and influenced by personal judgment.
Therefore, option C – "Calling someone intelligent or not depends upon one's whim" – accurately reflects the writer's intention, emphasizing the subjective nature of the classification. Options A and B discuss imprecision and vagueness but do not capture the central idea of personal discretion as clearly as C does. Option D suggests a lack of decisiveness, which does not align with the writer’s nuanced view.