Many Sociologists Who Examined The Phenomenon Of Secrecy Considered GMAT Reading Comprehension

Reading Passage Question

Many sociologists who examined the phenomenon of secrecy considered secrets morally negative because they defined secrets by their content: if concealed information is negative, it is "secret"; if it is positive or neutral, it is merely "private" Berlin-born philosopher Georg Simmel (1858-1918) departed from this approach, arguing that a secret is defined not by the kind of information concealed, but by the fact of concealment. A secret is like a box into which any content can be placed; whatever the content, the box, in itself, is morally neutral. Unlike something locked in a box, however, a secret is not the internal private knowledge of a single person. Simmel saw secrecy as predicated upon a social relationship: use of the word secret demands that more than one person know, but that others be excluded. When we receive information, to know that it is secret, we must be told not to tell anyone. Furthermore, knowledge of the existence of a secret is separate from knowledge of its content. By removing the moral bias, Simmers framework facilitated objective study of secrets. However Simmels discussion of disclosure seems to belie his contention that secrets are morally neutral. For him, inherent in every secret lies the possibility, and the desire, for revelation—regardless of the consequences. This "attraction of the abyss" gives secrets their "moral badness." Since disclosure of a secret is naughty, and secrecy and disclosure must coexist, the immorality of disclosure taints the secret itself

One specific example of research into secrecy is Beryl Bellman's study of the "secret societies" of the West African Kpelle: religious associations, segregated by gender, that all Kpelle are expected to join. Initiated adults learn restricted information such as the true identities of "spirits," society members wearing masks for ceremonies, who are believed to be supernatural beings. Kpelle ideology holds that the uninitiated do not know that these spirits are really society members. The initiated may not tell a society's secrets to non-members; Kpelle tradition insists that non-members are not allowed to know. However, Bellman showed that anyone may, in fact, know a society's secrets. The Kpelle word translated as "secret" literally means "you may not speak it." If nonmembers learn secrets, they are restricted from revealing that they know by penalties ranging from monetary fines to death. Bellman could write about Kpelle societies without violating their rules by focusing not on the content of the secrets, but on their form. Bellman's realization shows that the mechanism of Kpelle secrecy relies on Simmel's model: the importance of keeping secrets (nondisclosure) as a social act with rules and consequences carries the burden of morality rather than the personal, internal knowledge of the content of the secret.

“Many sociologists who examined the phenomenon of secrecy considered”- is a passage for the GMAT that addresses reading comprehension. Candidates must have a firm understanding of GMAT reading comprehension in English. This GMAT reading comprehension section consists of three comprehension questions. The purpose of the GMAT Reading Comprehension questions is to assess a candidate's capacity to understand, evaluate, and apply knowledge or ideas. By responding to the GMAT Reading Comprehension Practice Questions section, candidates can actively practice.

Solutions and Explanation

1. The "abyss" referred to by Simmel (Highlighted) is best defined as

1. a deed that is both exciting and dangerous
2. the ultimate punishment established for telling a secret
3. the gap between early models of secrecy and his approach
4. the distance between two people that is bridged by sharing a secret
5. a feature of the topography in Western Africa

2. Based on the passage, which of the following situations would most clearly violate the rules of a Kpelle secret society?

1. A foreign scholar publishes a book about the organization of Kpelle secret societies
2. A woman claims she knows the details of mens initiation rituals
3. A man learns the ritual knowledge of a women's secret society
4. Two women are overheard discussing the identities of their secret society's "spirits"
5. A secret is passed on with the words "don't tell anyone, but..."

3. From the information in this passage, the author would be most likely to agree with which of the following statements?

1. Secrets contain personal information but lies can be about anything.
2. The best social scientists' work must contain no contradictions.
3. All Kpelle adults know the secrets of the secret societies.
4. Sociologically, how people behave is at least as important as what they know.
5. It is impossible to eliminate a moral dimension from the concept of secrets.

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