PrepTest 140, Section 1, Question 19
One should not intentionally misrepresent another person's beliefs(16 more words not shown)
Which one of the following(7 more words not shown)
- AAnn told someone(30 more words not shown)
- BClaude told someone(27 more words not shown)
- CIn Maria's absence(36 more words not shown)
- DHarvey told Josephine(34 more words not shown)
- EWanda told people(38 more words not shown)
Reading the argument
Whose beliefs are being misrepresented, and why?
The rule concerns intentionally giving a false account of another person's beliefs. It allows an exception only when the purpose is to act in that person's interest. Imagine describing a partner's beliefs differently to protect that partner from a hostile relative. That illustrates the stated purpose condition; it doesn't mean every such lie is automatically wise or justified under every other rule.
What we’re looking for
To find a clear violation, look for both pieces: someone knowingly misrepresents another person's beliefs, and the purpose isn't to benefit that person. A selfish motive alone won't be enough if the speaker hasn't misrepresented someone else's beliefs.
Working the answers
- ACorrect
Ann knows Bruce doesn't believe the moon missions were hoaxes, but says he does to make him look ridiculous. She intentionally misrepresents Bruce's belief, and her sole purpose is ridicule rather than acting in his interest. Both parts of the violation are explicit.
- B
Claude does knowingly misrepresent Thelma's belief. But his purpose is to keep someone from bothering her, which is an attempt to act in her interest. That places the action within the stated exception. We don't need to decide whether it is an ideal way to help her; it doesn't clearly violate this principle.
- C
We aren't told that Maria doesn't believe university education should be free, so we can't establish a misrepresentation. Not wanting a belief shared is different from not holding it. John also intends to improve people's opinion of Maria, rather than harm her. Those facts don't give us the clear violation in A.
- D
Harvey lies about his own belief: he says that he thinks Josephine will become famous. The rule concerns misrepresenting another person's beliefs. Even though Harvey's motive is to make Josephine like him, the action doesn't fall within the particular category this principle regulates.
- E
Knowing where Egypt is doesn't establish what George believes about it. George might actually think it is in Asia, in which case Wanda could be accurately reporting his mistaken belief. Her purpose is unkind, but we're missing evidence that she knowingly misrepresented his beliefs. A explicitly gives us that missing piece.
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