The following question consists of four labelled sentences P, Q, R and S about the philosophy of pragmatism and the human mind. When arranged correctly, they form a coherent paragraph. Select the option that gives the best order.

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: PRQS

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This para jumble question presents four brief statements on the philosophy of pragmatism and the nature of the human mind. Your job is to arrange the sentences into a logically connected mini paragraph. These lines introduce pragmatism, describe how the mind deals only with ideas, and then draw a conclusion about whether the mind can truly ponder reality. Because the sentences are short and closely related, the key is to detect which sentence introduces the philosophical view and how the reasoning step flows from premises to conclusion.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • P states that the philosophy of pragmatism goes in a particular way.
  • R asserts that the mind deals only with ideas.
  • Q explains that it is not possible for the mind to relate to anything other than ideas.
  • S concludes that it is not correct to think that the mind can actually ponder reality.
  • The paragraph aims to show how a view about the mind leads to a conclusion about reality in pragmatism.


Concept / Approach:
In such logical mini arguments, we first look for a sentence that frames the philosophical position in general terms. That sentence must introduce the philosophy before its claims are stated. Next come the premises about how the mind functions. Finally, we place the inferential statement beginning with therefore, which states the conclusion. The sequence should read like a concise philosophical argument: introduction, premise one, premise two, conclusion. Sentences with words such as therefore almost always come at the end because they explicitly signal a result derived from previous statements.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Sentence P is clearly the introduction because it names the philosophy of pragmatism and announces that it goes in a particular way. The actual content of that way must then follow. Step 2: Sentence R then states the first premise about the mind: the mind is such that it deals only with ideas. This is a basic descriptive claim about mental functioning. Step 3: Sentence Q reinforces and slightly rephrases the same point as a stronger claim: it is not possible for the mind to relate to anything other than ideas. This naturally follows R and pushes the premise further. Step 4: Sentence S is the logical conclusion and begins with therefore, indicating that it depends on what has been said in R and Q. It concludes that it is not correct to think that the mind can ponder reality itself. Step 5: Hence the sequence is P R Q S, which matches option PRQS.


Verification / Alternative check:
If you read PRQS as one paragraph, the flow is natural: first a general introduction to pragmatism, then two closely linked statements about how the mind deals only with ideas, and finally a conclusion about reality. The therefore in S unambiguously refers back to the ideas in R and Q. No references are left hanging and the argument moves smoothly from set up to conclusion. This confirms that PRQS forms a coherent philosophical paragraph.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option RQSP starts with R, which launches into a claim about the mind without mentioning pragmatism at all, so the introductory context is missing. Option RSPQ is worse because it puts the conclusion S directly after R, leaving Q as an afterthought, which reverses the logical order. Option SQRP begins with S, giving a conclusion that the reader has not been prepared for, and only later mentions pragmatism, which is not a sensible arrangement. Therefore these alternatives are logically weaker than PRQS.


Common Pitfalls:
A usual error is to overlook introductory statements and hurry towards sentences containing big claims or the word therefore. In logical writing, however, a conclusion should be supported by prior premises and not used as the opening line. When dealing with philosophical or analytical content, always look for this structure: introduction to the view, description of assumptions, then explicit conclusion. Keeping this pattern in mind will help you quickly solve similar reasoning based para jumble questions.


Final Answer:
The most logical order of sentences is PRQS, so the correct answer is option PRQS.

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